| 1 | Wherefore laying aside all malice , and all guile , and hypocrisies , and envies , and all evil speakings , |
| 2 | As newborn babes , desire the sincere milk of the word , that ye may grow thereby : |
| 3 | If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious . |
| 4 | To whom coming , [as unto] a living stone , disallowed indeed of men , but chosen of God , [and] precious , |
| 5 | Ye also , as lively stones , are built up a spiritual house , an holy priesthood , to offer up spiritual sacrifices , acceptable to God by Jesus Christ . |
| 6 | Wherefore 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 . |
| 7 | Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious : but unto them which be disobedient , the stone which the builders disallowed , the same is made the head of the corner , |
| 8 | And a stone of stumbling , and a rock of offence , [even to them] which stumble at the word , being disobedient : whereunto also they were appointed . |
| 9 | But ye [are] a chosen generation , a royal priesthood , an holy nation , a peculiar people ; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light : |
| 10 | Which in time past [were] not a people , but [are] now the people of God : which had not obtained mercy , but now have obtained mercy . |
| 11 | Dearly beloved , I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims , abstain from fleshly lusts , which war against the soul ; |
| 12 | Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles : that , whereas they speak against you as evildoers , 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 for the Lord's sake : whether it be to the king , as supreme ; |
| 14 | Or unto governors , as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers , and for the praise of them that do well . |
| 15 | For so is the will of God , that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men : |
| 16 | As free , and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness , but as the servants of God . |
| 17 | Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood . Fear God . Honour the king . |
| 18 | Servants , [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear ; not only to the good and gentle , but also to the froward . |
| 19 | For this [is] thankworthy , if a man for conscience toward God endure grief , suffering wrongfully . |
| 20 | For what glory [is it], if , when ye be buffeted for your faults , ye shall take it patiently ? but if , when ye do well , and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently , this [is] acceptable with God . |
| 21 | For even hereunto were ye called : because Christ also suffered for us , leaving us an example , that ye should 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 : |
| 24 | Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree , that we , being dead to sins , should live unto righteousness : by whose stripes ye were healed . |
| 25 | For ye were as sheep going astray ; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls . |
