Chapter 2 Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies,
and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk
of the word, that ye may grow thereby, if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is
gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men,
but chosen of God and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a
spiritual house and holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief
cornerstone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
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, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which
stumble at the word being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and holy nation,
a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called
you out of darkness into his marvelous light, 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.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul.
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.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to
the king as supreme, 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.
For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men.
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the
servants of God, honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God,
honor the king.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle,
but also to the froward, for this is thankworthy.
If a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
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.
For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again.
When he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously.
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.
For ye were a sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the shepherd and
bishop of your souls.