12. It was made known to the prophets that they were not serving themselves. Instead, they were serving you when they spoke about the things that you have now heard. Those who have preached the good news to you have told you those things. They have done it with the help of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into those things.
13. So prepare your minds for action. Control yourselves. Put your hope completely in the grace that will be given to you when Jesus Christ returns.
14. You should obey. You shouldn't give in to evil longings. They controlled your life when you didn't know any better.
15. The one who chose you is holy. So you should be holy in all that you do.
16. It is written, "Be holy, because I am holy." (Leviticus 11:44,45; 19:2)
17. You call on a Father who judges each person's work without favoring one over another. So live your lives as strangers here. Have the highest respect for God.
18. The blood of Christ set you free from an empty way of life. That way of life was handed down to you by your own people long ago. You know that you were not bought with things that can pass away, like silver or gold.
19. Instead, you were bought by the priceless blood of Christ. He is a perfect lamb. He doesn't have any flaws at all.
20. He was chosen before God created the world. But he came into the world in these last days for you.
21. Because of what Christ has done, you believe in God. It was God who raised him from the dead. And it was God who gave him glory. So your faith and hope are in God.
22. You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. So you have an honest and true love for your brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply, from the heart.
23. You have been born again by means of the living word of God. His word lasts forever. You were not born again from a seed that will die. You were born from a seed that can't die.
24. It is written, "All people are like grass. All of their glory is like the flowers in the field. The grass dries up. The flowers fall to the ground.