1Therefore, having put away all wickedness, and all deceit, and hypocrisies and jealousies, and all slanders, 2As newborn babes, yearn after the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow, 3If you yourselves have indeed tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4To Whom coming, as to a living Stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, and precious, 5You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house--a holy priesthood--to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6For this reason it says in the scripture, "Behold, I place in Zion the Cornerstone, chosen and precious; and the one who believes in Him shall never be put to shame."

7The preciousness is to you, therefore, who believe; but to those who disobey, the Stone that the builders rejected has become the Head of the corner,

8And a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense; especially to those who stumble at the Word, being disobedient, unto which unbelief they also were appointed.

9But you are a chosen stock, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession of God, that you might proclaim His excellent virtues, Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10Who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy.

11Beloved, I exhort you, as strangers and sojourners, to restrain yourselves from fleshly lusts which war against the soul; 12Having your way of life honest among the Gentiles so that although they speak against you as evil doers, through having witnessed your good works, they may glorify God in the day of visitation.

13Therefore, submit yourselves to every human institution for the Lord's sake; whether to the king, as supreme, 14Or to governors, as sent by him to execute vengeance against evil doers, and to praise those who do well. 15For so is the will of God, that by doing well yourselves, you may put to silence the ignorance of senseless men; 16As free, and not using your freedom as a cover for evil, but as bondslaves of God. 17Show honor to everyone. Love the brotherhood, revere God and honor the king.

18Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all fear--not only to the good and gentle ones, but also to the harsh and unjust ones; 19Because this is acceptable: if, for the sake of conscience toward God, anyone endures sorrows, suffering unjustly. 20For what commendation is there if, disobeying and being beaten, you endure it? But if while doing good you endure suffering, this is acceptable with God;

21For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His footsteps 22Who committed no sin; neither was guile found in His mouth; 23Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when suffering, He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him Who judges righteously; 24Who Himself bore our sins within His own body on the tree, so that we, being dead to sins, may live unto righteousness; by Whose stripes you were healed. 25For you were as sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.