JMNT(i)
9 Yet you folks [
are]
"a picked-out (selected; chosen)
offspring (family; kin; lineage; race; species; breed) [
Isa. 43:20;
Deut. 7:6],
a royal (kingly; palace)
priesthood [
Ex. 19:6;
Isa. 61:6],
a set-apart (holy; different)
multitude (company; nation; body of people living together; swarm; association; ethnic group; caste; [
Ex. 19:6; note: implies a sacred life]),
a people constructed into an encirclement (made into a surrounding structure; set as a perimeter; made into a performance about [Him]; formed around as an acquisition; gathered into a surrounding [flock])
" [
Isa. 43:21;
Ex. 19:5] –
so that you may tell forth the message of (or: out-message; publish; declare abroad)
the excellencies and qualities of nobleness (virtues of braveness, courage, good character, quality, self-restraint, magnificence, benevolence, reliability)
of and from the One calling you out of darkness (gloomy dimness; the realm of shadows and obscurity)
into the midst of His wonderful (marvelous; amazing)
light [
p72 reads: into the wonderful Light],
10 [
you]
who [
were]
once (or: formerly)
"not a people, " but now [
are]
"God's people;" [
formerly]
being the ones having "not been given mercy, " yet now [
are]
"folks being mercied (being given mercy).
" [
Hos. 2:25]