1 Peter 2:1–12

Wherefore laying away all malice and all guile and dissimulations and envies and all detractions,

²As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile, that thereby you may grow unto salvation:

³If so be you have tasted that the Lord is sweet.

⁴Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen and made honourable by God:

⁵Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

⁶Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe in him shall not be confounded.

⁷To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:

⁸And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set.

⁹But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

¹⁰Who in times past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

¹¹Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul,

¹²Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation.