1Peter:2

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* Therefore , laying aside all malice , and all guile , and hypocrisy , and envy , and all kinds of slander , * As newborn babes , desire the pure milk of the word , that you may grow by it in your salvation : * Since you have tasted the kindness of the Lord . * Coming to him as to a living stone , rejected by men , but chosen by God , and precious , * You also , as living stones , are being built up into a spiritual house , a holy priesthood , to offer up spiritual sacrifices , acceptable to God through Jesus Christ . * For this is contained in the scripture , Behold , I lay in Zion a cornerstone , chosen and precious : and he who believes in him shall not be put to shame . * Therefore , to you who believe , he is precious : but to those who disbelieve , the stone which the builders rejected has become the very cornerstone , * And a stone of stumbling , and a rock of offence ; they stumble at the word , being disobedient : as they were appointed to do . * But you are a chosen race , a royal priesthood , a holy nation , a people belonging to God ; that you should declare the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light . * In times past you were not a people , but now you are the people of God : once you had not obtained mercy , but now you have obtained mercy . * Dearly beloved , I urge you as aliens and strangers , abstain from fleshly lusts , which wage war against the soul . * Conduct yourselves righteously among the Gentiles : that , though they speak against you as evildoers , they may behold your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation . * Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord 's sake : whether it be to the king , as supreme authority ; * Or to governors , as to those who are sent by him to punish evildoers , and to praise those who do well . * For this is the will of God , that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men : * Live as free men , not using your liberty as a cloak for evil , but live as the servants of God . * Honour all men . Love the brotherhood . Fear God . Honour the king . * Servants , be subject to your masters with all respect ; not only to the good and gentle , but also to the perverse . * For this is commendable , if for the sake of conscience toward God , a man endures sorrow while suffering wrongfully . * For what credit is there , if , when you are beaten for your wrongs , you endure it patiently ? but if , when you do well , and suffer for it , you endure it patiently , this is commendable before God . * For to this you were called : because Christ also suffered for you , leaving you an example , that you should follow his steps . * He committed no sin , nor was any deceit found in his mouth ; * And when he was reviled , he did not revile in return ; and when he suffered , he did not threaten ; but committed himself to him who judges righteously . * He himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree , that we might die to sins and live to righteousness ; by his wounds you have been healed . * For you were like sheep going astray ; but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls .

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