2 Therefore, rid yourselves^(A) of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander^(B) of every kind. ² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,^(C) so that by it you may grow up^(D) in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.^(E)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone^(F)—rejected by humans but chosen by God^(G) and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(H) into a spiritual house^[a](I) to be a holy priesthood,^(J) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^{(K) 6} For in Scripture it says:

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,^(N)

⁸ and,

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(R)

⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(S) a royal priesthood,^(T) a holy nation,^(U) God’s special possession,^(V) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(W) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(X) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(Y) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(Z) to abstain from sinful desires,^(AA) which wage war against your soul.^{(AB) 12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(AC) and glorify God^(AD) on the day he visits us.

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:^(AE) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(AF) and to commend those who do right.^{(AG) 15} For it is God’s will^(AH) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{(AI) 16} Live as free people,^(AJ) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(AK) live as God’s slaves.^{(AL) 17} Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,^(AM) fear God, honor the emperor.^(AN)

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(AO) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(AP) but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^{(AQ) 20} But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^{(AR) 21} To this^(AS) you were called,^(AT) because Christ suffered for you,^(AU) leaving you an example,^(AV) that you should follow in his steps.

²³ When they hurled their insults at him,^(AY) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(AZ) Instead, he entrusted himself^(BA) to him who judges justly.^{(BB) 24} “He himself bore our sins”^(BC) in his body on the cross,^(BD) so that we might die to sins^(BE) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”^{(BF) 25} For “you were like sheep going astray,”^[f](BG) but now you have returned to the Shepherd^(BH) and Overseer of your souls.^(BI)

3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves^(BJ) to your own husbands^(BK) so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over^(BL) without words by the behavior of their wives, ² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.^{(BM) 4} Rather, it should be that of your inner self,^(BN) the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.^{(BO) 5} For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God^(BP) used to adorn themselves.^(BQ) They submitted themselves to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.^(BR) You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

⁷ Husbands,^(BS) in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded,^(BT) be sympathetic, love one another,^(BU) be compassionate and humble.^{(BV) 9} Do not repay evil with evil^(BW) or insult with insult.^(BX) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^(BY) because to this^(BZ) you were called^(CA) so that you may inherit a blessing.^{(CB) 10} For,

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{(CD) 14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(CE) “Do not fear their threats^[h]; do not be frightened.”^{[i](CF) 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(CG) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(CH) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(CI) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^{(CJ) 17} For it is better, if it is God’s will,^(CK) to suffer for doing good^(CL) than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once^(CM) for sins,^(CN) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.^(CO) He was put to death in the body^(CP) but made alive in the Spirit.^{(CQ) 19} After being made alive,^[j] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits^(CR)— ²⁰ to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently^(CS) in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.^(CT) In it only a few people, eight in all,^(CU) were saved^(CV) through water, ²¹ and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you^(CW) also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience^(CX) toward God.^[k] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(CY) 22} who has gone into heaven^(CZ) and is at God’s right hand^(DA)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.^(DB)