For they disciplinedus for a shorttimeas seemed bestto them, but He [disciplines us] for [our] good,sothat we may shareHis holiness.
For by theseHe has grantedto us His preciousand magnificentpromises,sothat by them you may becomepartakersof [the] divinenature,having escapedthe corruptionthat is in the worldby lust.
whogaveHimselffor us to redeemus from everylawless deed,and to purifyfor Himselfa peoplefor His ownpossession,zealousfor gooddeeds.
"Speakto allthe congregationof the sonsof Israeland sayto them, 'You shall be holy,for I the LORDyour Godam holy.
yetHe has nowreconciledyou in His fleshlybodythroughdeath,in order to presentyou beforeHim holyand blamelessand beyond reproach--
and puton the newself,which in [the likeness of] Godhas been createdin righteousnessand holinessof the truth.
As for me, I shall beholdYour facein righteousness;I will be satisfiedwith Your likenesswhen I awake.
But you are A CHOSENRACE,A royalPRIESTHOOD,A HOLYNATION,A PEOPLEFOR [God's] OWN POSSESSION,sothat you may proclaimthe excellenciesof Him who has calledyou out of darknessinto His marvelouslight;
you also,as livingstones,are being builtup as a spiritualhousefor a holypriesthood,to offerup spiritualsacrificesacceptableto GodthroughJesusChrist.
I know,O LORD,that Your judgmentsare righteous,And that in faithfulnessYou have afflictedme.
For He does not afflictwillinglyOr grievethe sonsof men.
Pursuepeacewith all men,and the sanctificationwithoutwhichno onewill seethe Lord.
Then Elimelech,Naomi'shusband,died;and she was leftwith her twosons.