| 1 | Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, |
| 2 | As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: |
| 3 | If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious. |
| 4 | To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious, |
| 5 | Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. |
| 6 | Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. |
| 7 | 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, |
| 8 | And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. |
| 9 | But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: |
| 10 | 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. |
| 11 | Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; |
| 12 | 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. |
| 13 | Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; |
| 14 | 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. |
| 15 | For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: |
| 16 | As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. |
| 17 | Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. |
| 18 | Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. |
| 19 | For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. |
| 20 | 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. |
| 21 | For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us 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, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: |
| 24 | 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. |
| 25 | For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. |
