Chapter 2

  Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,  

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  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  

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  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious.  

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  To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  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,  

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  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.  

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  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:  

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  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.  

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  Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  

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  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.  

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  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  

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  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.  

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  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  

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  As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  

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  Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.  

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  Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  

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  For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  

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  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.  

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  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  

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  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  

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  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:  

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  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.  

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  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.  

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