2:1 | Therefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, |
2:2 | As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow by it: |
2:3 | If indeed ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious. |
2:4 | To whom coming, [as to] a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, [and] precious, |
2:5 | Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. |
2:6 | Therefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion 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 rejected, the same is made the head of the corner, |
2:8 | And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] who stumble at the word, being disobedient: to this also they were appointed. |
2:9 | But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a special people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous 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 sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; |
2:12 | Having your behaviour honest among the Gentiles: that, though they speak against you as evildoers, 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 evildoers, 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 | Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. |
2:18 | Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the perverse. |
2:19 | For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward 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. |