A reading from the first letter of Peter.

If you put up with suffering for doing what is right,

this is acceptable in God’s eyes.

It was for this that you were called;

since Christ suffered for you in just this way and left you an example.

You must follow in the footsteps of Christ:

who did no wrong; who spoke no deceit;

who did not return insults when insulted;

who, when made to suffer, did not counter with threats.

Instead, Christ trusted the One who judges justly.

It was Christ’s own body that brought our sins to the cross,

so that all of us, dead to sin, could live in accord with God’s will.

By Christ’s wounds you are healed.

At one time, you were straying like sheep,

but now have returned to the Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

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