1 Peter 2:4-12 - A Living Stone, A Chosen People
4 Unto whom coming near, as unto a living stone - by men, indeed, rejected, but, with God, chosen, held in honour, 5 Yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, well-pleasing unto God through Jesus Christ; 6 Inasmuch as it is contained in scripture - Lo! I lay in Zion an outmost corner stone, chosen, held in honour, and, he that resteth faith thereupon, shall not be put to shame.
7 Unto you, then, is the honour - unto you who believe; but, unto such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, - The same, hath become head of the corner,
8 And a stone to strike against, and a rock to stumble over: Who stumble because, unto the word, they do not yield, - unto which also they have been appointed;
9 But, ye, are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a peculiar treasure, that, the excellences, ye may tell forth, of him who, out of darkness, hath called you into his marvellous light: - 10 Who, at one time, were a No-people, but, now, are a people of God, - who had not been enjoying mercy, but, now, have received mercy.
11 Beloved! I exhort you, as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly covetings, such as take the field against the soul; 12 Having, your behaviour among the nations, honourable, - in order that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, owing to the honourable works they are permitted to behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.