1 Therefore having laid aside all evil, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and all calumniations;
2 like newly born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, in order that you may grow thereby unto salvation:
3 if you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 Unto whom going forth, to a living stone, indeed rejected by men, but elect with God, precious,
5 and you, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, into a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable unto God through Jesus Christ.
6 Because it runs thus in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and the one believing on him can not be ashamed.
7 Therefore to you who believe he is precious: but to the unbelievers, the stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the head of the corner, and the stone of stumbling, and the rock of offence,
9 But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people unto conquest; in order that you may proclaim the virtues of the one having called you out of darkness unto his own marvelous light:
10 who at one time were no people, but now you are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, lint just now having received mercy.
11 Beloved, I exhort you as pilgrims and strangers, to abstain from the carnal desire which wars against the soul;
12 having your deportment beautiful among the Gentiles: in order that in whatsoever they calumniate you as evil doers, seeing from your beautiful works, they may glorify God in the day of his visitation.
13 Submit to every human creature for the sake of the Lord: whether to the king as supereminent,
14 or to governors, as those having been sent out by him unto the condemnation of evil doers, and the praise of those doing good;
15 because thus it is the will of God, that doing good you should put to shame the ignorance of the ignorant people:
16 as free, and not as having the freedom as a cover of evil, but as servants of God.
17 Honor all people; love the brotherhood with divine love; fear God; honor the king.
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all reverence; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
19 For this is grace, if, through the conscience of God, one bears sorrows and suffering unjustly.
20 For what glory is there, if, committing sin and being buffeted, you endure it? But if, doing good and suffering you endure it, this is grace with God.
21 For unto this you have been called: because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you may follow in his steps:
22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth,
23 who, being reviled, reviled not again; suffering, he threatened not, but gave up to the one judging righteously:
24 who himself has borne our sins in his own body on the wood, in order that we, being made free from sins, may live unto righteousness: by whose stripe you are healed.
25 For you have wandered away like sheep; but you have now turned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.