Wherefore
laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings,
02 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of
the word, that ye may grow thereby:
03 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is
gracious.
04 To whom coming, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and
precious,
05 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.
06 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.
07 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,
08 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.
09 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.
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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.
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