1 Peter 2

Jesus Is the Living Stone

1 So then, rid yourselves of all evil, all lying, hypocrisy, jealousy, and evil speech.2 As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can mature in your salvation,

3 because you have already examined and seen how good the Lord is.
4 Come to the Lord Jesus, the “stone” 5 You also are like living stones, so let yourselves be used to build a spiritual temple—to be holy priests who offer spiritual sacrifices to God. He will accept those sacrifices through Jesus Christ.

6 The Scripture says:
“I will put a stone in the ground in Jerusalem. Everything will be built on this important and precious rock.
Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.” t

7 This stone is worth much to you who believe. But to the people who do not believe,
“the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” t

8 Also, he is
“a stone that causes people to stumble, a rock that makes them fall.” t
They stumble because they do not obey what God says, which is what God planned to happen to them.
9 But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

10 At one time you were not a people, but now you are God’s people. In the past you had never received mercy, but now you have received God’s mercy.

Live for God

11 Dear friends, you are like foreigners and strangers in this world. I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul.

12 People who do not believe are living all around you and might say that you are doing wrong. Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again.

Yield to Every Human Authority

13 For the Lord’s sake, yield to the people who have authority in this world: the king, who is the highest authority,14 and the leaders who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.15 It is God’s desire that by doing good you should stop foolish people from saying stupid things about you.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God.

17 Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God’s family, respect God, honor the king.

Follow Christ’s Example

18 Slaves, yield to the authority of your masters with all respect, not only those who are good and kind, but also those who are dishonest.19 A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and can stand the pain, God is pleased.20 If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased.

21 This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did.

22 “He had never sinned, and he had never lied.” t
23 People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him.24 Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of his wounds.25 You were like sheep that wandered away, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2

1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,2 as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;3 if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious:4 unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,5 ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6 Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

7 For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;

8 and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.9 But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:10 who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.11 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul;12 having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.13 Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;14 or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well.15 For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.19 For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you 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 threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:24 who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.25 For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.