1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye
may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed
of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by
Jesus Christ.
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.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto
them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the
same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them
which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were
appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an
holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of
him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now
the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation 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.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s
sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to
silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of
maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour
the king.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all
fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward
God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your
faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for
it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,
he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body
on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:
by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto
the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.