English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
17
You call out to God for help and he helps - he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
18
It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in.
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
19
He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb.
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
20
And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately - at the end of the ages - become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you.
21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
21
It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.