1Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings,
2As new-born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3If indeed ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4To whom coming as to a living stone, disallowed indeed by men, but chosen by God, and precious,
5Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7To you therefore who believe he is precious: but to them who are disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them who stumble at the word, being disobedient: to which also they were appointed.
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
10Who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12Having your manner of life honest 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.
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
14Or to governors, as to them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17Honor all men . Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience towards God endureth grief, suffering wrongfully.
20For 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.
21For even to this were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22Who committed no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24Who 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.
25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.