Lectio Epistolae beati Petri Apostoli – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Peter the Apostle

1 Peter 3 : 8-15

Carissimi : Omnes unanimes in oratione estote, compatientes, fraternitatis amatores, misericordes, modesti, humiles : non reddentes malum pro malo, nec maledictum pro maledicto, sed e contrario benedicentes, quia in hoc vocati estis, ut benedictionem hereditate possideatis.

Qui enim vult vitam diligere et dies videre bonos, coerceat linguam suam a malo, et labia ejus ne loquantur dolum. Declinet a malo, et faciat bonum : inquirat pacem, et sequatur eam. Quia oculi Domini super justos, et aures ejus in preces eorum : vultus autem Domini super facientes mala.

Et quis est, qui vobis noceat, si boni aemulatores fueritis? Sed et si quid patimini propter justitiam, beati. Timorem autem eorum ne timueritis : et non conturbemini. Dominum autem Christum sanctificate in cordibus vestris.

English translation

Dearly beloved, may all of you be one mind, having compassion for one another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble; not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but on the opposite, blessing. For unto this you are called, that you may inherit a blessing.

For he who will love life, and see good days may let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him distance himself away from evil and do good; let him seek after peace, and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and His ears unto their prayers, but the countenance of the Lord is against those who do evil things.

And who is he that can hurt you, if you are zealous for the sake of good? But if you also suffer anything for justice’s sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their fear, and do not be troubled. Sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts.