1   Wherefore laying aside ^note all wickedness, and all guile, and dissimulation, and envies, 2   and all evil-speakings, As new born babes desire ^note the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3   If ye have tasted ^note that the Lord is gracious: 4   To whom coming ^note as unto a living stone, rejected indeed by men, 5   but chosen of God and precious, Ye ^note also as living stones are built up, a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God thro' Jesus Christ. 6   Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, ^note Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. ^note 7   Therefore to you who believe, he is precious: but to them who believe ^note not, ^note The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. 8   And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, to them who stumble, not believing the word, whereunto also they were appointed. ^note 9   But ye ^note are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a purchased people, that ye may shew forth the virtues of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Who in time past were not a people, ^note but now are the people of God; 10    who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11   Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, ^note abstain from fleshly desires, 12   which war against the soul, Having your conversation honest ^note 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 ^note for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, Or to ^note governors, 14   as sent by him, for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of them that do well. 15   For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye put to silence the ignorance ^note of foolish men: As free, ^note 16   yet not having your liberty for a cloak of wickedness, but as the servants of God. 17   Honour all men, ^note Love the brotherhood, Fear God, 18   Honour the king, Servants ^note 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 toward God ^note endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20   For what glory is it, if when ye commit faults and are buffeted, ye take it patiently? But if when ye do well and suffer, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21   For even

hereunto are ye ^note called; for Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye might 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: ^note 24   Who himself bore our sins ^note in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin might 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 ^note of your souls.

Previous section

Next section