1 Peter 2:4-12 - A Living Stone, A Chosen People

⁴ To whom coming, as unto a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ⁵ You also, as living stones, are built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ⁶ Therefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.

⁷ Unto you therefore who believe he is precious: but unto them who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner,

⁸ And, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them who stumble at the word, being disobedient: to which also they were appointed.

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: ¹⁰ Who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

¹¹ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as aliens and exiles, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ¹² Having your conduct honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.