1: Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings, 2: As new-born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3: If indeed ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious. 4: To whom coming [as to] a living stone, disallowed indeed by men, but chosen by God, [and] precious, 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. 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: 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, 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 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: 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 strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 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. 13: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 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. 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: Honor all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor 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] thank-worthy, if a man for conscience towards God endureth grief, suffering wrongfully. 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. 21: For even to this were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22: Who committed 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 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. 25: For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
