1So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. | 1So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. |
2And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, | 2And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, |
3if you have experienced the Lord's kindness. | 3if you have experienced the Lord's kindness. |
4So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God's sight, | 4So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God's sight, |
5you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. | 5you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. |
6For it says in scripture, "Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame." | 6For it says in scripture, "Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame." |
7So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, | 7So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, |
8and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. | 8and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. |
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. | 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. |
10You once were not a people, but now you are God's people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy. | 10You once were not a people, but now you are God's people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy. |
11Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, | 11Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, |
12and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears. | 12and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears. |
13Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether to a king as supreme | 13Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether to a king as supreme |
14or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good. | 14or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good. |
15For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. | 15For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. |
16Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God's slaves. | 16Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God's slaves. |
17Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king. | 17Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king. |
18Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse. | 18Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse. |
19For this finds God's favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly. | 19For this finds God's favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly. |
20For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God. | 20For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God. |
21For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. | 21For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. |
22He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. | 22He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. |
23When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. | 23When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. |
24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. | 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. |
25For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. | 25For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. |
|