1 Peter 2:4–10

⁴To whom coming, a living stone, cast away indeed as worthless by men, but with God chosen, precious, ⁵yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ⁶Because it is contained in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be put to shame. ⁷To you therefore who believe is the preciousness; but to the disobedient, the stone which the builders cast away as worthless, this is become head of the corner, ⁸and a stone of stumbling and rock of offence; who stumble at the word, being disobedient to which also they have been appointed. ⁹But ye are a chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye might set forth the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness to his wonderful light; ¹⁰who once were not a people, but now God’s people; who were not enjoying mercy, but now have found mercy.