Letters to the Churches

Let euery man as hee hath receiued the gift, minister the same one to another, as good disposers of the manifolde grace of God.

If any man speake, let him speake as the wordes of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the abilitie which God ministreth, that God in al things may be glorified through Iesus Christ, to whome is prayse and dominion for euer, and euer, Amen.

Dearely beloued, thinke it not strange concerning the firie triall, which is among you to proue you, as though some strange thing were come vnto you:

But reioyce, in asmuch as ye are partakers of Christs suffrings, that when his glory shall appeare, ye may be glad and reioyce.

If yee be railed vpon for the Name of Christ, blessed are ye: for the spirit of glory, and of God resteth vpon you: which on their part is euill spoken of: but on your part is glorified.

But let none of you suffer as a murtherer, or as a thiefe, or an euil doer, or as a busibodie in other mens matters.

But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not bee ashamed: but let him glorifie God in this behalfe.

For the time is come, that iudgement must beginne at the house of God. If it first beginne at vs, what shall the ende be of them which obey not the Gospel of God?

And if the righteous scarcely bee saued, where shall the vngodly and the sinner appeare?

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit their soules to him in well doing, as vnto a faithfull Creator.

The elders which are among you, I beseech which am also an elder, and a witnesse of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shalbe reueiled,

Feede the flocke of God, which dependeth vpon you, caring for it not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde:

Not as though ye were lords ouer Gods heritage, but that yee may bee ensamples to the flocke.

And when that chiefe shepheard shall appeare, ye shall receiue an incorruptible crowne of glory.

Likewise ye yonger, submit your selues vnto the elders, and submit your selues euery man, one to another: decke your selues inwardly in lowlinesse of minde: for God resisteth the proude, and giueth grace to the humble.

Humble your selues therefore vnder the mightie hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Cast all your care on him: for he careth for you.

Be sober, and watch: for your aduersarie the deuil as a roaring lyon walketh about, seeking whom he may deuoure:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world.

And the God of all grace, which hath called vs vnto his eternall glory by Christ Iesus, after that ye haue suffered a litle, make you perfite, confirme, strengthen and stablish you.

To him be glory and dominion for euer and euer, Amen.

By Syluanus a faithfull brother vnto you, as I suppose, haue I written briefly, exhorting and testifying how that this is the true grace of God, wherein ye stand.

The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you, saluteth you, and Marcus my sonne.

Greete yee one another with the kisse of loue. Peace be with you all which are in Christ Iesus, Amen.

Simon Peter a seruant and an Apostle of Iesus Christ, to you which haue obteined like precious faith with vs by the righteousnesse of our God and Sauiour Iesus Christ: