THE EPISTLE OF PETROS, THE APOSTLE I. PETROS, an apostle of Jeshu Meshiha, to the chosenones and sojourners who are scattered in Pontos and in Galatia, and in Kapadukia, and in Asia, and in Bithunia: them who are elected by the foreknowledge of Aloha the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, that they might be unto obedience, and unto the sprinkling of the blood of Jeshu Meshiha: grace and peace be multiplied with you. Blessed be Aloha, the Father of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha, who by his abundant grace hath begotten us anew through the resurrection of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha unto the hope of salvation, and to the inheritance which is not corruptible, and not defiled, and not to be consumed, which is prepared for you in heaven, while you are kept by the power of Aloha and through faith, unto the salvation which is prepared to be revealed in the last times; wherein you will rejoice for ever, though in this little time you are afflicted1 by manifold temptations which pass over you; that the proof of your faith may be seen, which is more precious than gold refined which is proved in fire, unto praise and unto honour and unto glory, at the revelation of Jeshu Meshiha; whom you have not 1 Or, straitened. seen and (yet) love, and in whose faith you exult with glorious joy that is not spoken: that you may receive the recompence of your faith, the salvation of your souls. That salvation which the prophets investigated when they prophesied concerning the grace which was to be given. unto you, and searched into, what time the Spirit of the Meshiha who dwelt in them showed and testified of the future sufferings of the Meshiha, and his glory which (should be) after them. And all that they searched was revealed to them; for not for themselves they inquired, but to us (and) of us 2 they prophesied those (blessings) which now are revealed to you by them who have preached to you 3 by the Spirit of Holiness which is sent from heaven; for into these themselves the angels also desire to look. Wherefore gird up the loins of your minds, and be fully wakeful, and hope for the joy that cometh to you at the revelation of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha; as obedient children, and not partaking again of the former desires which you desired when ignorant. But be holy in all your conversations, as he is holy who calleth you; because it is written, Be ye holy, as I also am holy. And if you call him Father before whom there is no respect of persons, and who judgeth every man according to his works, with fear conduct you in this time of your sojourn; while you know that not with silver which wasteth away, nor with gold, you have been redeemed from your vain works which you received from your fathers, but with the precious blood of the Lamb spotless and unblemished, who is the Meshiha; who was aforeseparated for this from before the foundations of the world, and hath been manifested in these last times for you, who by him believe in Aloha, who raised him from 2 Lan dilan. 3 Or, evangelized you. 4 Dabideh. the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and your hope may be in Aloha. Let your souls be sanctified in obedience to the truth, and be filled with the charity which respecteth not persons, that with a pure heart and perfect you may love one another, as men who are regenerated, not by a perishable seed, but by that which is imperishable, by the living word of Aloha which abideth for ever. Because all flesh is grass, and all its beauty as the flower of the field. The grass withereth and the flower drieth up, but the word of our God abideth for ever; and this is that word which is preached unto you. II. MAKE to cease therefore from you all malice and all guile, and dissimulation, and envy, and slander; and be as (new)-born babes, and be desirous of the word as of milk pure and spiritual, that by it you may increase unto life. If you have tasted and seen how good is the Lord, unto whom you have come, who is the living stone whom men have rejected, yet (who is) chosen and honourable with Aloha. And you also as living stones are builded, and become a spiritual temple, and holy priests to offer sacrifices, which are acceptable before Aloha by Jeshu Meshiha. To For it is said in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone choice 5 and honourable in the head of the corner: whosoever believeth in him shall not be ashamed. you therefore is given this honour, to them who believe: but to them who are disobedient he is a rock of offence, or a stone of stumbling, and they are offended at him in not obeying the word, because to this they are set. 6 But you are a chosen race, who minister as priests to the kingdom, a holy people, a congregation redeemed to 8 5 Or, tried, bachirtho. 6 Kipha. 8 Damkahno lemalkutho. 7 Abn'na. announce the praises of him who hath called you from darkness to his transcendant light: those who before were not reputed a people, but now the people of Aloha; upon whom also mercies were not; but now, mercies are poured upon you. III. My beloved, I beseech you as strangers and as sojourners, be separate from all the lusts of the body which make wars against the soul. And let your conversation be good before all men; and they who speak against you malicious words shall see your good deeds, and shall glorify Aloha in the day of the probation. And be subject to all men for the sake of Aloha: to kings, on account of their authority; and to judges, because from him they are sent for the punishment of transgressors, and for the commendation of good works. For so is the will of Aloha, that by your comely works you may shut the mouth of fools who know not Aloha. As the sons of liberty, yet not as men who make their liberty a veil for their wickedness, but as the servants of Aloha. Honour all; your brethren love; and Aloha revere; and kings honour. And those servants who are among you, be subject to your masters with reverence; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the hard and the severe. For these are pleasing before Aloha, who, for the sake of a good conscience, endure the afflictions that come upon them unjustly. For they who on account of their offences suffer tribulations, what praise have they? But when you do well and they afflict you, and you endure, then doth your praise become great with Aloha. For unto this have you been called; because the Meshiha also hath died for us, and left us this example, that in his steps we may walk. Who did no sin, nor was guile found in his mouth; who was reviled and 9 reviled not, and suffered and threatened not, but delivered his cause to the Judge of righteousness; and took all our sins and upbore them in his body on the cross; that when dead to sin, in the righteousness of him we might live; for by his stripes you are healed, who had wandered as sheep, and are returned now unto the Shepherd and Guardian1 of your souls. So you also, wives, be subject to your own husbands, that them who have not obeyed the word, by your comely manners without labour you may win, while they see that with reverence and with chastity you conduct yourselves. Neither be adorned with outward adornings of the entwinement of your hair, or necklaces of gold, or of excelling vestments, but adorn yourselves in the hidden man of the heart, with the spirit of gentleness which perisheth not, the ornament of excellence before Aloha. For so also of old the holy women who confided in Aloha adorned themselves, and were subject to their husbands, even as Sara was subject to Abraham, and called him My Lord of her be you the daughters in good works, not being perturbed by any fear. IV. AND you, men, dwell likewise with your wives with knowledge, and as feeble vessels in honour hold them; for they also with you inherit the gift of the life of eternity; that you be not hindered in your prayers. But, finally, be all unanimous, and suffer with those who suffer, and love one another, and be merciful and gentle; and let no man render evil for evil, nor invective for invective, but, that which is contrary to them, bless: for unto this are you called, that the blessing you may inherit. 9 Vaseq enun. Aphel of nesaq, ascendit, elevavit, 1 Souro, curator. |