A reading from the first letter of Peter.

Praised be the God of our Savior Jesus Christ,

who with great mercy gave us new birth;

a birth unto hope which draws its life

from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;

a birth to an imperishable inheritance

incapable of fading or defilement,

which is kept in heaven for you

who are guarded with God’s power through faith;

a birth to a salvation which stands ready

to be revealed in the last days.

There is cause for rejoicing here.

You may for a time have to suffer

the distress of many trials;

but this is so that your faith,

which is more precious than the passing splendor of fire-tried gold,

may by its genuineness

lead to praise, glory and honor

when Jesus Christ appears.

Although you have never seen Jesus,

you love Jesus, and without seeing, stiII you believe,

and rejoice with inexpressible joy touched with glory

because you are achieving faith’s goal, your salvation.

The Word of God recorded in the first letter of Peter.