First Epistle of Peter continued...
2:1 Putting away therefore all malice, and all guile and pretenses, and envies and all slanders,
2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure spiritual milk, so you may grow by it to salvation,
2:3 since you have tasted that the Lord indeed is good.
2:4 To whom approaching, a living stone, by humans on the one hand rejected, on the other hand chosen by God as precious,
2:5 you yourselves also as living stones are being built as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ;
2:6 because it is contained in scripture: "Behold I lay in Zion a chosen precious corner foundation stone, and the person believing on it will by no means be disappointed."
2:7 To you therefore who believe, value, but to those not believing, it is a stone the builders rejected. This one turns out to be for the head of the corner,
2:8 yet also a stone of stumbling, and a rock of downfall for those who stumble at the word by disobeying, to which in fact they were appointed.
2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a treasured possession, so you may proclaim the virtues of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
2:10 who before were not a people, but now are a people of God; ones who were not pitied, but now are pitied.
2:11 Beloved, I exhort you: as sojourners and aliens, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
2:12 having your conduct good among the gentiles, in order that while they denounce you as evil-doers, by observing your good works they may glorify God in the day of visitation.
2:13 Submit to every human authority for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as he is highly placed,
2:14 or to governors; as they are the Lord’s agent for vengeance on evil-doers and praise of well-doers;
2:15 because so is the will of God: by doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people;
2:16 as free, yet not having the freedom for a pretext for wrongdoing, but for being servants of God.
2:17 Honor all persons, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
2:18 House servants, submit yourselves in all fear to your masters, not only to good and forbearing ones but also to the harsh.
2:19 For this gains favor if because of consciousness of God anyone bears up under griefs they are suffering unjustly.
2:20 For what glory is it if when sinning and buffeted for it you endure? But if when doing good and suffering for it you endure, this gains favor with God.
2:21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered, on your behalf, leaving for you an example that you should follow in his steps;
2:22 he who did no sin, neither was any guile found in his mouth;
2:23 who when being insulted, did not insult in return; who when suffering mistreatment made no threat, but committed himself over to him who judges righteously;
2:24 who himself in his body carried our sins up onto a tree, in order that by dying to sins, we might live to righteousness; by whose bruise you have been healed.
2:25 For you were like sheep wandering astray, but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.
3:1 In the same sense wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, in order that even if any of them disobeys the word, they will be gained without a word by the conduct of their wives,
3:2 when they see your pure conduct, mixed with reverence for them.
3:3 Whose adornment let it not be the outward, of the plaiting of hair, wearing of gold ornaments, or decoration of putting on clothing,
3:4 but rather of the hidden person of the heart, adorned with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which adornment in the eyes of God is very high priced.
3:5 For indeed that is historically how holy women hoping in God have adorned themselves, submitting to their own husbands;
3:6 like how Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Master. Whose daughters you have become, doing good, and not fearing any terror.
3:7 Likewise husbands, dwelling together according to knowledge: as to a more delicate vessel, assigning to the woman a special care, and as co-heirs of the gracious privilege of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
