Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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The Living Stone and the Holy Nation
1 Rid yourselves, then, of all evil;
no more lying or hypocrisy or
jealousy or insulting language.
2 Be
like newborn babies, always thirsty
for the pure spiritual milk, so that by
drinking it you may grow up and be
saved.
3 As the scripture says, “You
have found out for yourselves how
kind the Lord is.” note
4 Come to the Lord, the living
stone rejected by man as worthless
but chosen by God as valuable.
5 Come as living stones, and let yourselves
be used in building the spiritual
temple, where you will serve as
holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable
sacrifices to God through
Jesus Christ.
6 For the scripture says,
“I chose a valuable stone,
which I am placing as the cornerstone in Zion;
and whoever believes in him will never be disappointed.” note
-- --
7 This stone is of great value for you
that believe; but for those who do
not believe:
“The stone which the builders rejected as worthless
turned out to be the most important of all.” note
8 And another scripture says,
“This is the stone that will make people stumble,
the rock that will make them fall.”
8 They stumbled because they did not
believe in the word; such was God's
will for them. note
9 But you are the chosen race, the
King's priests, the holy nation, God's
own people, chosen to proclaim the
wonderful acts of God, who called
you out of darkness into his own
marvelous light. note
10 At one time you
were not God's people, but now you
are his people; at one time you did
not know God's mercy, but now you
have received his mercy. note
Slaves of God
11 I appeal to you, my friends, as
strangers and refugees in this world!
Do not give in to bodily passions,
which are always at war against the
soul.
12 Your conduct among the heathen
should be so good that when
they accuse you of being evildoers,
they will have to recognize your
good deeds and so praise God on the
Day of his coming.
13 For the sake of the Lord submit
yourselves to every human authority:
to the Emperor, who is the supreme
authority,
14 and to the governors,
who have been appointed by
him to punish the evildoers and to
praise those who do good.
15 For God
wants you to silence the ignorant
talk of foolish people by the good
things you do.
16 Live as free people;
do not, however, use your freedom
to cover up any evil, but live as
God's slaves.
17 Respect everyone,
love your fellow believers, have reverence
for God, and respect the Emperor.
The Example of Christ's Suffering
18 You servants must submit yourselves
to your masters and show
them complete respect, not only to
those who are kind and considerate,
but also to those who are harsh.
19 God will bless you for this, if you
endure the pain of undeserved suffering
because you are conscious of
his will.
20 For what credit is there if
you endure the beatings you deserve
for having done wrong? But if you
endure suffering even when you
have done right, God will bless you
for it.
21 It was to this that God called
you, for Christ himself suffered for
you and left you an example, so that
you would follow in his steps.
22 He
committed no sin, and no one ever
heard a lie come from his lips. note
23 When he was insulted, he did not
answer back with an insult; when he
suffered, he did not threaten, but
placed his hopes in God, the righteous
Judge. note
24 Christ himself carried
our sins in his body to the cross, so
that we might die to sin and live for
righteousness. It is by his wounds
that you have been healed.
25 You
were like sheep that had lost their
way, but now you have been
brought back to follow the Shepherd
and Keeper of your souls. note
Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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