¹⁵ But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of ^(A)the grace that was given to me ^[a]from God, ¹⁶ to be ^(B)a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the ^(C)gospel of God, so that my ^(D)offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found ^(E)reason for boasting in ^(F)things pertaining to God.

As Living Stones

⁴ And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been ^(A)rejected by people, but is ^[a]choice and precious in the sight of God, ^5 (B)you also, as living stones, ^[b]are being built up as a ^(C)spiritual house for a holy ^(D)priesthood, to ^(E)offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For this is contained in ^[c]Scripture:

^7 (H)This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers,

⁸ and,

^(L)for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, ^(M)and to this they were also appointed.

⁹ But you are ^(N)a chosen people, a royal ^(O)priesthood, a ^(P)holy nation, ^(Q)a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you ^(R)out of darkness into His marvelous light; ^10 (S)for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.