1Putting away therefore all wickedness , and all guile , and hypocrisies , and envies , and all evil speakings , 2as newborn babes , long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation ; 3if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious : 4unto whom coming , a living stone , rejected indeed of men , but with God elect , precious , 5ye also , as living stones , are built up a spiritual house , to be a holy priesthood , to offer up spiritual sacrifices , acceptable to God through Jesus Christ .
The Cornerstone and Our Identity
6Because it is contained in scripture , Behold , I lay in Zion a chief corner stone , elect , precious : And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame . 7For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner ; 8and , A stone of stumbling , and a rock of offence ; for they stumble at the word , being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed . 9But ye are an elect race , a royal priesthood , a holy nation , a people for God’s own possession , that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light : 10who in time past were no people , but now are the people of God : who had not obtained mercy , but now have obtained mercy .
Conduct Among the Gentiles
11Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims , to abstain from fleshly lusts , which war against the soul ; 12having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles ; that , wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works , which they behold , glorify God in the day of visitation . 13Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord ’ s sake : whether to the king , as supreme ; 14or unto governors , as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well . 15For so is the will of God , that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men : 16as free , and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness , but as bondservants of God . 17Honor all men . Love the brotherhood. Fear God . Honor the king .
Suffering for Doing Good
18Servants , be in subjection to your masters with all fear ; not only to the good and gentle , but also to the froward . 19For this is acceptable , if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 20For what glory is it , if , when ye sin, and are buffeted for it , ye shall take it patiently ? but if , when ye do well , and suffer for it , ye shall take it patiently , this is acceptable with God . 21For hereunto were ye called : because Christ also suffered for you , leaving you an example , that ye should follow his steps : 22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth : 23who , when he was reviled , reviled not again; when he suffered , threatened not ; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously : 24who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree , that we , having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness ; by whose stripes ye were healed . 25For ye were going astray like sheep ; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls .