1 Peter 2
2:1 So get rid of1 all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2:2 And2 yearn3 like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk,4 so that by it you may grow up to5 salvation,6 2:3 if you have experienced7 the Lord’s kindness.8
A Living Stone, a Chosen People
2:4 So as you come to him,9 a living stone rejected by men but10 chosen and priceless11 in God’s sight, 2:5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer12 spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 2:6 For it says13 in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone,14 and whoever believes15 in him16 will never17 be put to shame.”18 2:7 So you who believe see19 his value,20 but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the21 cornerstone,22 2:8 and a stumbling-stone23 and a rock to trip over.24 They stumble25 because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.26 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues27 of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 2:10 You28 once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy,29 but now you have received mercy.
2:11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, 2:12 and maintain good conduct30 among the non-Christians,31 so that though32 they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.33
Submission to Authorities
2:13 Be subject to every human institution34 for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme 2:14 or to governors as those he commissions35 to punish wrongdoers and praise36 those who do good. 2:15 For God wants you37 to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 2:16 Live38 as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves.39 2:17 Honor all people, love the family of believers,40 fear God, honor the king.
2:18 Slaves,41 be subject42 to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse. 2:19 For this finds God’s favor,43 if because of conscience toward God44 someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly. 2:20 For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.45 2:21 For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. 2:22 He46 committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.47 2:23 When he was maligned, he48 did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened49 no retaliation,50 but committed himself to God51 who judges justly. 2:24 He52 himself bore our sins53 in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning54 and live for righteousness. By his55 wounds56 you were healed.57 2:25 For you were going astray like sheep58 but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.