[1] Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies,
and all evil speaking, [2] as newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the
Word, that you may grow thereby, [3] if indeed you have tasted that the
Lord is gracious: [4] coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by
men, but chosen by God, precious. [5] You also, as living stones, are built
up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6] Because it is
contained in scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect,
precious: He who believes in him will not be put to shame." [7] For you
therefore who believe is the honor, but for such as are disobedient, "The
stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone," [8]
and, "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." For they stumble at
the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed. [9] But
you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for
God`s own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: [10] who in time past
were no people, but now are the people of God, who had not obtained mercy,
but now have obtained mercy. [11] Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and
pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul; [12]
having good behavior among the nations, so in that which they speak against
you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God
in the day of visitation. [13] Therefore subject yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord`s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; [14]
or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise
to those who do well. [15] For so is the will of God, that by well-doing
you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: [16] as free, and
not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of
God. [17] Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
[18] Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to
the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. [19] For it is commendable if
someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
[20] For what glory is it, if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating?
But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is
commendable with God. [21] For to this were you called, because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps,
[22] who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth." [23] Who,
when he was reviled, didn`t revile back. When he suffered, didn`t threaten,
but committed himself to him who judges righteously; [24] who his own self
bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might
live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. [25] For you were
going astray like sheep; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer
of your souls.
