2:1 Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings,
2:2 As new-born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye
may grow thereby:
2:3 If indeed ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious.
2:4 To whom coming [as to] a living stone, disallowed indeed by
men, but chosen by God, [and] precious,
2:5 Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable
to God by Jesus Christ.
2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I
lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious: and he that
believeth on him shall not be confounded.
2:7 To you therefore who believe [he is] precious: but to them
who are disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed,
the same is made the head of the corner,
2:8 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.
2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the
praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light:
2:10 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.
2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
2:12 Having your manner of life honest among the Gentiles: that,
whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by
[your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the
day of visitation.
2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's
sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
2:14 Or to governors, as to them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do
well.
2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put
to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
2:16 As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of
maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
2:17 Honor all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the
king.
2:18 Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not
only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
2:19 For this [is] thank-worthy, if a man for conscience towards
God endureth grief, suffering wrongfully.
2:20 For what glory [is it], if, when ye are buffeted for your
faults, ye bear it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and
suffer [for it], ye bear it patiently, this [is] acceptable
with God.
2:21 For even to this were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow
his steps:
2:22 Who committed no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him
that judgeth righteously:
2:24 Who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness; by whose
stripes ye were healed.
2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned to
the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
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