I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
10Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,
11Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
11trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.
12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
13Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
17Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,
19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
24For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
24For, "All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
25but the word of the Lord endures forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
6For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
8and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
11Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
16Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.
17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
17Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
18Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
19For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.
20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
24"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."
25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
25For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,
2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.
4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
4Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands,
6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
11They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened."
15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
17For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
19After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—
20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
20to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
4They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
5Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
9Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
17For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
18And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
12With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.
14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.