1 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! 1 ⁴ The inheritance to which we are born is one that nothing can destroy or spoil or wither. It is kept for you in heaven, and you, 1 ⁵ because you put your faith in God, are under the protection of his power until salvation comes—the salvation which is even now in readiness and will be revealed at the end of time.
1 ⁶ This is cause for great joy, even though now you smart for a little while, if need be, under trials of many kinds. 1 ⁷ Even gold passes through the assayer's fire, and more precious than perishable gold is faith which has stood the test. These trials come so that your faith may prove itself worthy of all praise, glory, and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 ⁸ You have not seen him, yet you love him; and trusting in him now without seeing him, you are transported with a joy too great for words, 1 ⁹ while you reap the harvest of your faith, that is, salvation for your souls.

1 ¹⁰ This salvation was the theme which the prophets pondered and explored, those who prophesied about the grace of God awaiting you. 1 ¹¹ They tried to find out what was the time, Or: who was the person ... and what the circumstances, to which the spirit of Christ in them pointed, foretelling the sufferings in store for Christ and the splendours to follow; 1 ¹² and it was disclosed to them that the matter they treated of was not for their time but for yours. And now it has been openly announced to you through preachers who brought you the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things that angels long to see into.