Peter Chapter 2
1 Wherefore laying aside all maliceand all guileandhypocrisiesand enviesall evil speakings
2 As newborn babesdesire the sincere milk of the wordthat yemay grow thereby
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom comingas unto a living stonedisallowed indeed ofmenbut chosen of Godand precious
5 Ye alsoas lively stonesare built up a spiritual houseanholy priesthoodto offer up spiritual sacrificesacceptableto God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scriptureBeholdI layin Sion a chief corner stoneelectpreciousand he thatbelieveth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is preciousbut unto themwhich be disobedientthe stone which the builders disallowedthe same is made the head of the corner
8 And a stone of stumblingand a rock of offenceeven to themwhich stumble at the wordbeing disobedientwhereunto alsothey were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generationa royal priesthoodan holynationa peculiar peoplethat ye should shew forth thepraises of him who hath called you out of darkness into hismarvellous light
10 Which in time past were not a peoplebut are now the peopleof Godwhich had not obtained mercybut now have obtainedmercy.
11 Dearly belovedI beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lustswhich war against the soul
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentilesthat whereas they speak against you as evildoersthey may by yourgood workswhich they shall beholdglorify God in the day ofvisitation.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord ssakewhether it be to the kingas supreme
14 Or unto governorsas unto them that are sent by him for thepunishment of evildoersand for the praise of them that dowell.
15 For so is the will of Godthat with well doing ye may put tosilence the ignorance of foolish men
16 As freeand not using your liberty for a cloke ofmaliciousnessbut as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour theking.
18 Servantsbe subject to your masters with all fearnot onlyto the good and gentlebut also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthyif a man for conscience toward Godendure griefsuffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is itifwhen ye be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patientlybut ifwhen ye do wellandsuffer for itye take it patientlythis is acceptable withGod.
21 For even hereunto were ye calledbecause Christ also sufferedfor usleaving us an examplethat ye should follow hissteps
22 Who did no sinneither was guile found in his mouth
23 Whowhen he was reviledreviled not againwhen he sufferedhe threatened notbut committed himself to him that judgethrighteously
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the treethat webeing dead to sinsshould live unto righteousnessby whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astraybut are now returned untothe Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
