Study Desk

Therefore, rid yourselves^(a) of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander^(b) of every kind.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,^(c) so that by it you may grow up^(d) in your salvation,

now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.^(e)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

As you come to him, the living Stone^(f)—rejected by humans but chosen by God^(g) and precious to him—

you also, like living stones, are being built^(h) into a spiritual house^[a](i) to be a holy priesthood,^(j) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^(k)

For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone,^(l) and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."^[b](m)

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,⁽ⁿ⁾ "The stone the builders rejected^(o) has become the cornerstone,"^[c](p)

and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall."^[d](q) They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(r)

But you are a chosen people,^(s) a royal priesthood,^(t) a holy nation,^(u) God's special possession,^(v) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^(w)

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(x) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends,^(y) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(z) to abstain from sinful desires,^(aa) which wage war against your soul.^(ab)

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(ac) and glorify God^(ad) on the day he visits us.

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority:^(ae) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,

or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(af) and to commend those who do right.^(ag)

For it is God's will^(ah) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^(ai)

Live as free people,^(aj) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(ak) live as God's slaves.^(al)

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,^(am) fear God, honor the emperor.^(an)

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(ao) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(ap) but also to those who are harsh.

For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^(aq)

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^(ar)

To this^(as) you were called,^(at) because Christ suffered for you,^(au) leaving you an example,^(av) that you should follow in his steps.

"He committed no sin,^(aw) and no deceit was found in his mouth."^[e](ax)

When they hurled their insults at him,^(ay) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(az) Instead, he entrusted himself^(ba) to him who judges justly.^(bb)

"He himself bore our sins"^(bc) in his body on the cross,^(bd) so that we might die to sins^(be) and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."^(bf)

For "you were like sheep going astray,"^[f](bg) but now you have returned to the Shepherd^(bh) and Overseer of your souls.^(bi)