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aPeter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
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according to the aforeknowledge of God the Father, bby the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to cobey Jesus Christ and be dsprinkled with His blood: eMay grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
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aBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who baccording to His great mercy chas caused us to be born again to da living hope through the eresurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
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to obtain an ainheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and bwill not fade away, creserved in heaven for you,
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who are aprotected by the power of God bthrough faith for ca salvation ready dto be revealed in the last time.
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aIn this you greatly rejoice, even though now bfor a little while, cif necessary, you have been distressed by dvarious trials,
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so that the aproof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, beven though tested by fire, cmay be found to result in praise and glory and honor at dthe revelation of Jesus Christ;
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and athough you have not seen Him, you blove Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
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obtaining as athe outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
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aAs to this salvation, the prophets who bprophesied of the cgrace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,
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seeking to know what person or time athe Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He bpredicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
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It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who apreached the gospel to you by bthe Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which cangels long to look.
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Therefore, aprepare your minds for action, bkeep sober in spirit, fix your chope completely on the dgrace to be brought to you at ethe revelation of Jesus Christ.
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As aobedient children, do not bbe conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your cignorance,
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but alike the Holy One who called you, bbe holy yourselves also cin all your behavior;
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because it is written, "aYOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
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If you aaddress as Father the One who bimpartially cjudges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves din fear during the time of your estay on earth;
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knowing that you were not aredeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your bfutile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
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but with precious ablood, as of a blamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
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For He was aforeknown before bthe foundation of the world, but has cappeared in these last times dfor the sake of you
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who through Him are abelievers in God, who raised Him from the dead and bgave Him glory, so that your faith and chope are in God.
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Since you have ain obedience to the truth bpurified your souls for a csincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
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for you have been aborn again bnot of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring cword of God.
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For,