[1] So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all
slander. [2] Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by
it you may grow up to salvation; [3] for you have tasted the kindness of
the Lord. [4] Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in
God's sight chosen and precious; [5] and like living stones be yourselves
built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6] For it stands in
scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and
precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame." [7] To you
therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe,
"The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the
corner," [8] and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make
them fall"; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were
destined to do. [9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him
who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were
no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but
now you have received mercy. [11] Beloved, I beseech you as aliens and
exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your
soul. [12] Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they
speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify
God on the day of visitation. [13] Be subject for the Lord's sake to every
human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14] or to
governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those
who do right. [15] For it is God's will that by doing right you should put
to silence the ignorance of foolish men. [16] Live as free men, yet without
using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. [17]
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. [18]
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to the
kind and gentle but also to the overbearing. [19] For one is approved if,
mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly. [20] For what
credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it
patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it
patiently, you have God's approval. [21] For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you
should follow in his steps. [22] He committed no sin; no guile was found on
his lips. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he
suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly.
[24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to
sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. [25] For
you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and
Guardian of your souls.
