1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies,
envies, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, long for the pure milk
of the Word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have
tasted that the Lord is gracious: 4 coming to him, a living stone,
rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. 5 You also, as
living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Because it is contained in Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious:
He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
7 For you therefore who believe is the honor, but for such as are
disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected,
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and,
“A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were
appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may show forth the
excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
10 who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Beloved, I beg you as
foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the
soul; 12 having good behavior among the nations, so in that which they
speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see,
glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore subject yourselves to
every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
14 or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for
praise to those who do well. 15 For this is the will of God, that by
well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as
bondservants of God.
17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to
the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. 19 For it is commendable if
someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
20 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure
beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering,
this is commendable with God. 21 For to this you were called, because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving you*1 an example, that you should follow his steps, 22 who did
not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 23 Who, when he was
reviled, didn’t revile back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed
himself to him who judges righteously; 24 who his own self bore our sins
in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to
righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were
going astray like sheep; but are now returned to the Shepherd and
Overseer*2 of your souls.
1 TR reads “us” instead of
“you”
2 “Overseer” is from the Greek episkopon, which can mean
overseer, curator, guardian, or superintendent.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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