Petri I 1
1 Petrus Apostolus Jesu Christi, electis advenis dispersionis Ponti, Galatiæ, Cappadociæ, Asiæ, et Bithyniæ,
To the People of God who are living abroad, dispersed throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Roman Asia, and Bithynia,
2 secundum præscientiam Dei Patris, in sanctificationem Spiritus, in obedientiam, et aspersionem sanguinis Jesu Christi. Gratia vobis, et pax multiplicetur.
and who were chosen in accordance with the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the consecration of the Spirit, to learn obedience, and to be purified by the sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ, from Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ. May blessing and peace be yours in ever-increasing measure.
3 Benedictus Deus et Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi, qui secundum misericordiam suam magnam regeneravit nos in spem vivam, per resurrectionem Jesu Christi ex mortuis,
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has, in his great mercy, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 in hæreditatem incorruptibilem, et incontaminatam, et immarcescibilem, conservatam in cælis in vobis,
given us the new Life of undying hope, that promises an inheritance, imperishable, stainless, unfading, which has been reserved for you in Heaven —
5 qui in virtute Dei custodimini per fidem in salutem, paratam revelari in tempore novissimo.
for you who, through faith, are being guarded by the power of God, awaiting a Salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days.
6 In quo exsultabis, modicum nunc si oportet contristari in variis tentationibus:
At the thought of this you are full of exultation, though (if it has been necessary) you have suffered for the moment somewhat from various trials;
7 ut probatio vestræ fidei multo pretiosior auro (quod per ignem probatur) inveniatur in laudem, et gloriam, et honorem in revelatione Jesu Christi:
that the genuineness of your faith — a thing far more precious than gold, which is perishable, yet has to be tested by fire — may win praise and glory and honour at the Appearing of Jesus Christ.
8 quem cum non videritis, diligitis: in quem nunc quoque non videntes creditis: credentes autem exsultabitis lætitia inenarrabili, et glorificata:
Though you have never seen him, yet you love him; though you do not even now see him, yet you believe in him, and exalt with a triumphant happiness too great for words,
9 reportantes finem fidei vestræ, salutem animarum.
as you receive the reward of your faith in the Salvation of your souls!
10 De qua salute exquisierunt, atque scrutati sunt prophetæ, qui de futura in vobis gratia prophetaverunt:
It was this Salvation that the Prophets, who spoke long ago of the blessing intended for you, sought, and strove to comprehend;
11 scrutantes in quod vel quale tempus significaret in eis Spiritus Christi: prænuntians eas quæ in Christo sunt passiones, et posteriores glorias:
as they strove to discern what that time could be, to which the Spirit of Christ within them was pointing, when foretelling the sufferings that would befall Christ, and the glories that would follow.
12 quibus revelatum est quia non sibimetipsis, vobis autem ministrabant ea quæ nunc nuntiata sunt vobis per eos qui evangelizaverunt vobis, Spiritu Sancto misso de cælo, in quem desiderant angeli prospicere.
And it was revealed to them that it was not for themselves, but for you, that they were acting as Ministers of the truths which have now been told to you, by those who, with the help of the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven, have brought you the Good News — truths into which even angels long to look.
13 Propter quod succincti lumbos mentis vestræ, sobrii, perfecte sperate in eam, quæ offertur vobis, gratiam, in revelationem Jesu Christi:
Therefore concentrate your minds, with the strictest self-control, and fix your hopes on the blessing that is coming for you at the Appearing of Jesus Christ.
14 quasi filii obedientiæ, non configurati prioribus ignorantiæ vestræ desideriis:
Be like obedient children; do not let your lives be shaped by the passions which once swayed you in the days of your ignorance,
15 sed secundum eum qui vocavit vos, Sanctum: et ipsi in omni conversatione sancti sitis:
but in your whole life show yourselves to be holy, after the pattern of the Holy One from whom you received your Call.
16 quoniam scriptum est: Sancti eritis, quoniam ego sanctus sum.
For Scripture says — ‘You shall be holy, because I am holy.’
17 Et si patrem invocatis eum, qui sine acceptione personarum judicat secundum uniuscujusque opus, in timore incolatus vestri tempore conversamini.
And since you call upon him as ‘Father,’ who judges every one impartially by what he has done, let reverence be the spirit of your lives during the time of your stay upon earth.
18 Scientes quod non corruptibilibus, auro vel argento, redempti estis de vana vestra conversatione paternæ traditionis:
For you know that it was not by perishable things, such as silver and gold, that you were Ransomed from the aimless way of living which was handed down to you from your ancestors,
19 sed pretioso sanguine quasi agni immaculati Christi, et incontaminati:
but by precious blood, as it were of a lamb, unblemished and spotless, the Blood of Christ.
20 præcogniti quidem ante mundi constitutionem, manifestati autem novissimis temporibus propter vos,
Destined for this before the beginning of the world, he has been revealed in these last days for your sakes,
21 qui per ipsum fideles estis in Deo, qui suscitavit eum a mortuis, et dedit ei gloriam, ut fides vestra et spes esset in Deo:
who, through him, are faithful to God who raised him from the dead and gave him honour, so that your faith and hope are now in God.
22 animas vestras castificantes in obedientia caritatis, in fraternitatis amore, simplici ex corde invicem diligite attentius:
Now that, by your obedience to the Truth, you have purified your lives, so that there is growing up among you a genuine brotherly affection, love one another earnestly with all your hearts;
23 renati non ex semine corruptibili, sed incorruptibili per verbum Dei vivi, et permanentis in æternum: (aiōn g165)
since your new Life has come, not from perishable, but imperishable, seed, through the Message of the Everliving God. (aiōn g165)
24 quia omnis caro ut fœnum: et omnis gloria ejus tamquam flos fœni: exaruit fœnum, et flos ejus decidit.
For — ‘All earthly life is but as grass, and all its splendour as the flower of grass. The grass fades, its flower falls,
