MKJV - I Peter - 2

2:1  Therefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyings, and all evil speakings,

2:2  desire the sincere milk of the word, as newborn babes, so that you may grow by it;

2:3  if truly you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

2:4  For having been drawn to Him, a living Stone, indeed rejected by men, but elect, precious with God;

2:5  you also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

2:6  Therefore also it is contained in the Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner Stone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him shall never be ashamed."

2:7  Therefore to you who believe is the honor. But to those who are disobedient, He is the Stone which the builders rejected; this One came to be the Head of the corner,

2:8  and a Stone-of-stumbling and a Rock-of-offense to those disobeying, who stumble at the word, to which they also were appointed.

2:9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

2:10  you who then were not a people, but now the people of God, those not pitied then, but now pitied.

2:11  Dearly beloved, I exhort you as temporary residents and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

2:12  having your conduct honest among the nations, in that which they speak against you as evildoers, they may glorify God in a day of His visitation, seeing your good works.

2:13  Then be in obedience to every ordinance of men, because of the Lord, whether to a king as supreme,

2:14  or to governors as sent by Him for vengeance on evildoers, but for praise on well-doers.

2:15  For such is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men;

2:16  as free, and not having freedom as a cover of evil, but as servants of God.

2:17  Honor all. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

2:18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to those good and forbearing, but also to the perverse ones.

2:19  For this is a grace, if for conscience toward God anyone endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

2:20  For what glory is it if you patiently endure while sinning and being buffeted? But if you suffer while doing good, and patiently endure, this is a grace from God.

2:21  For you were not called to this? For Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps,

2:22  He who did no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth,

2:23  who when He was reviled did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten, but gave Himself up to Him who judges righteously.

2:24  He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that dying to sins, we might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

2:25  For you were as sheep going astray, but now you are turned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.