1 Peter
2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and
envies, and all evil speakings,
2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby:
2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but
chosen of God, and precious,
2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ.
2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a
chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall
not be confounded.
2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be
disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made
the head of the corner,
2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which
stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were
appointed.
2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:
which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from
fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they
shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether
it be to the king, as supreme;
2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment
of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence
the ignorance of foolish men:
2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as
the servants of God.
2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good
and gentle, but also to the froward.
2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure
grief, suffering wrongfully.
2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall
take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take
it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we,
being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed.
2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the
Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
