1 Peter 2:1-25

CLV(i) 1 Putting off, then, all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all vilifications, 2 as recently born babes, long for the unadulterated milk of the word that by it you may be growing into salvation, 3 if so be that you taste that the Lord is kind: 4 Whom approaching, a living Stone, having been rejected indeed by men, yet chosen by God, held in honor, 5 you, also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, into a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, most acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. " 6 Because of this it is included in the scripture: Lo! I am laying in Zion a corner capstone, chosen, held in honor, and he who is believing on it may by no means be disgraced." 7 To you, then, who are believing, is the honor, yet to the unbelieving: "A Stone which is rejected by the builders, this came to be for the head of the corner, 8 and a stumbling stone and a snare rock; who are stumbling also at the word, being stubborn, to which they were appointed also." 9 Yet you are a chosen race, a "royal priesthood,a "holy nation,a procured people, so that you should be recounting the virtues of Him Who calls you out of darkness into His marvelous light, 10 who once were "not a peopleyet now are the people of God, who "have not enjoyed mercy,yet now are "being shown mercy." 11 Beloved, I am entreating you, as sojourners and expatriates, to be abstaining from the fleshly lusts which are warring against the soul, 12 having your behavior among the nations ideal, that in that in which they are speaking against you as of evildoers, by being spectators of ideal acts they should be glorifying God in the day of visitation." 13 You may be subject to every human creation because of the Lord, whether to the king, as a superior, 14 or to governors, as being sent by him for vengeance on evildoers, yet for the applause of doers of good." 15 For thus it is the will of God, by doing good to be muzzling the ignorance of imprudent men;" 16 as free, and not as having freedom for a cover over evil, but as God's slaves." 17 Honor all; love the brotherhood; fear God; honor the king. 18 Domestics may do it by being subject to your owners, with all fear, not only to the good and lenient, but to the crooked also;" 19 for this is grace, if, because of consciousness of God, anyone is undergoing sorrows, suffering unjustly." 20 For what credit is it if, sinning and being buffeted, you will be enduring it? But if, doing good and suffering, you will be enduring, this is grace with God." 21 For this were you called, seeing that Christ also suffered for your sakes, leaving you a copy, that you should be following up in the footprints of Him" 22 Who does no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth;" 23 Who, being reviled, reviled not again; suffering, threatened not, yet gave it over to Him Who is judging justly, 24 Who Himself carries up our sins in His body on to the pole, that, coming away from sins, we should be living for righteousness; by Whose welt you were healed." 25 For you were as straying sheep, but now you turned back to the Shepherd and Supervisor of your souls."