11. The Spirit of Christ was in them and was telling them how Christ would suffer and would then be given great honour. So they searched to find out exactly who Christ would be and when this would happen.
12. But they were told that they were serving you and not themselves. They preached to you by the power of the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven. And their message was only for you, even though angels would like to know more about it.
13. Be alert and think straight. Put all your hope in how kind God will be to you when Jesus Christ appears.
14. Behave like obedient children. Don't let your lives be controlled by your desires, as they used to be.
15. Always live as God's holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy.
16. That's why the Scriptures say, “I am the holy God, and you must be holy too.”
17. You say that God is your Father, but God doesn't have favourites! He judges all people by what they do. So you must honour God while you live as strangers here on earth.
18. You were rescued from the useless way of life that you learnt from your ancestors. But you know that you were not rescued by such things as silver or gold that don't last for ever.
19. You were rescued by the precious blood of Christ, that spotless and innocent lamb.
20. Christ was chosen even before the world was created, but because of you, he did not come until these last days.
21. And when he did come, it was to lead you to have faith in God, who raised him from death and honoured him in a glorious way. That's why you have put your faith and hope in God.
22. You obeyed the truth, and your souls were made pure. Now you sincerely love each other. But you must keep on loving with all your heart.
23. Do this because God has given you new birth by his message that lives on for ever.
24. The Scriptures say,“Humans wither like grass,and their glory fadeslike wild flowers.Grass dries up,and flowers fallto the ground.
25. But what the Lord has saidwill stand for ever.”Our good news to you is what the Lord has said.