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1 Peter 2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

2 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.(A) 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation(B)— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.[a](C)

4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones let yourselves be built[b] into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(D) 6 For it stands in scripture:

“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
    a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”(E)

7 This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,[c]

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the very head of the corner,”(F)

8 and

“A stone that makes them stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.(G)

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,[d] in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.(H)

10 Once you were not a people,
    but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
    but now you have received mercy.(I)

Live as Servants of God

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.[e](J) 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.[f](K)

13 For the Lord’s sake be subject to every human authority,[g] whether to the emperor as supreme(L) 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.(M) 17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers.[h] Fear God. Honor the emperor.(N)

The Example of Christ’s Suffering

18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect,[i] not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. 19 For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God.(O) 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.(P)

22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.(Q) 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[j] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[k] you have been healed.(R) 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.[l](S)

Footnotes

  1. 2.3 Or kind
  2. 2.5 Or you yourselves are being built
  3. 2.7 Other ancient authorities read obey
  4. 2.9 Gk a people for his possession
  5. 2.11 Or one’s life
  6. 2.12 Gk God on the day of visitation
  7. 2.13 Or every authority ordained for humans
  8. 2.17 Gk Love the brotherhood
  9. 2.18 Or fear
  10. 2.24 Or carried up our sins in his body to the tree
  11. 2.24 Gk bruise
  12. 2.25 Or lives
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1 Peter 2
Amplified Bible

As Newborn Babes

2 So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech; 2 like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment], 3 if in fact you have [already] tasted [a]the goodness and gracious kindness of the Lord.(A)

As Living Stones

4 Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God.(B) 5 You [believers], like living stones, are [b]being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious (honored) Cornerstone,
And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”(C)

7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe [in Him as God’s only Son—the Source of salvation]; but for those who disbelieve,

“The [very] stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief Cornerstone,”(D)

8 and,

“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

for they stumble because they disobey the word [of God], and to this they [who reject Him as Savior] were also appointed.(E)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.(F) 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.(G)

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that [c]for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God [d]in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].

Honor Authority

13 Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power, 14 or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praise and encourage those who do right. 15 For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God. 17 Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king.

18 [e]Servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of an [f]awareness of [the will of] God. 20 After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God.

Christ Is Our Example

21 For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps. 22 He committed no sin, nor was deceit ever found in His mouth.(H) 23 While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the [g]cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been [h]healed. 25 For you were continually wandering like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.(I)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:3 Lit that the Lord is kind.
  2. 1 Peter 2:5 Or are to be built.
  3. 1 Peter 2:12 Lit in that which.
  4. 1 Peter 2:12 Another view interprets this as the day when the wicked are judged by God.
  5. 1 Peter 2:18 The Greek refers to household servants who may have been well-educated and managed the estate.
  6. 1 Peter 2:19 Lit conscience toward.
  7. 1 Peter 2:24 Lit wood.
  8. 1 Peter 2:24 Generally regarded as a reference to being spiritually healed from the illness of sin; however, many also consider physical healing to be included in Christ’s atoning death.
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1 Peter 2
Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Living Stone and a Holy People

2 So rid yourselves of(A) all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.(B) 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk,(C) so that you may grow by it for your salvation,[a] 3 since you have tasted(D) that the Lord is good.(E)[b] 4 Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God— 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God(F) through Jesus Christ. 6 For it is contained in Scripture:

Look! I lay a stone in Zion,(G)
a chosen and honored[c] cornerstone,[d](H)
and the one who believes in Him
will never be put to shame![e](I)[f]

7 So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving,

The stone that the builders rejected—
this One has become the cornerstone,(J)[g]

8 and

A stone to stumble over,[h]
and a rock to trip over.[i](K)[j]

They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined(L) for this.

9 But you are a chosen race,[k](M)[l] a royal priesthood,(N)[m]
a holy nation,(O)[n] a people for His possession,(P)[o]
so that you may proclaim the praises[p](Q)[q]
of the One who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.(R)
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
you had not received mercy,(S)
but now you have received mercy.

A Call to Good Works

11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents(T) to abstain(U) from fleshly(V) desires that war against you.[r](W) 12 Conduct(X) yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,[s] so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.[t](Y)

13 Submit(Z) to every human authority[u] because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor[v] as the supreme authority(AA) 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will(AB) that you silence the ignorance(AC) of foolish people by doing good. 16 As God’s slaves,(AD) live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.(AE) 17 Honor everyone. Love(AF) the brotherhood.(AG) Fear God.(AH) Honor the Emperor.[w]

Submission of Slaves to Masters

18 Household slaves, submit with all fear(AI) to your masters,(AJ) not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.[x](AK) 19 For it brings favor[y] if, mindful of God’s will,[z][aa] someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if you sin and are punished, and you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,(AL) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

21 For you were called to this,
because Christ also suffered(AM) for you,
leaving you an example,(AN)
so that you should follow(AO) in His steps.
22 He did not commit sin,(AP)
and no deceit(AQ) was found in His mouth;(AR)[ab]
23 when He was reviled,
He did not revile in return;
when He was suffering,
He did not threaten
but entrusted Himself to the One who judges(AS) justly.
24 He Himself bore our sins(AT)
in His body(AU) on the tree,(AV)
so that, having died to sins,(AW)
we might live for righteousness;(AX)
you have been healed by His wounds.(AY)[ac]
25 For you were like sheep going astray,(AZ)[ad]
but you have now returned
to the Shepherd(BA) and Guardian[ae] of your souls.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:2 Other mss omit in your salvation
  2. 1 Peter 2:3 Ps 34:8
  3. 1 Peter 2:6 Or valuable
  4. 1 Peter 2:6 Lit head of the corner
  5. 1 Peter 2:6 Or be disappointed
  6. 1 Peter 2:6 Is 28:16 LXX
  7. 1 Peter 2:7 Ps 118:22
  8. 1 Peter 2:8 Or a stone causing stumbling
  9. 1 Peter 2:8 Or a rock to trip over
  10. 1 Peter 2:8 Is 8:14
  11. 1 Peter 2:9 Or generation, or nation
  12. 1 Peter 2:9 Dt 7:6; 10:15; Is 43:20 LXX
  13. 1 Peter 2:9 Ex 19:6; 23:22 LXX; Is 61:6
  14. 1 Peter 2:9 Ex 19:6; 23:22 LXX
  15. 1 Peter 2:9 Ex 19:5; 23:22 LXX; Dt 4:20; 7:6; Is 43:21 LXX
  16. 1 Peter 2:9 Or the mighty deeds
  17. 1 Peter 2:9 Is 42:12; 43:21
  18. 1 Peter 2:11 Or against the soul
  19. 1 Peter 2:12 Or among the nations, or among the pagans
  20. 1 Peter 2:12 The day when God intervenes in human history, either in grace or in judgment
  21. 1 Peter 2:13 Or creature
  22. 1 Peter 2:13 Lit king
  23. 1 Peter 2:17 Lit king
  24. 1 Peter 2:18 Or unscrupulous; lit crooked
  25. 1 Peter 2:19 Other mss add with God
  26. 1 Peter 2:19 Other mss read if, because of a good conscience
  27. 1 Peter 2:19 Lit if, because of conscience toward God
  28. 1 Peter 2:22 Is 53:9
  29. 1 Peter 2:24 Is 53:5
  30. 1 Peter 2:25 Is 53:6
  31. 1 Peter 2:25 Or Overseer
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1 Peter 2
New King James Version

Our Inheritance Through Christ’s Blood

2 Therefore, (A)laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 (B)as newborn babes, desire the pure (C)milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have (D)tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People(E)

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, (F)rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

(G)“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,

(H)“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”

8 and

(I)“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”

(J)They stumble, being disobedient to the word, (K)to which they also were appointed.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of (L)darkness into His marvelous light; 10 (M)who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Living Before the World

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts (N)which war against the soul, 12 (O)having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, (P)they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Submission to Government(Q)

13 (R)Therefore submit yourselves to every [c]ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 (S)as free, yet not (T)using liberty as a cloak for [d]vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear (U)God. Honor the king.

Submission to Masters(V)

18 (W)Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is (X)commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For (Y)what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For (Z)to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for [e]us, (AA)leaving [f]us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 “Who(AB) committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

23 (AC)who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but (AD)committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 (AE)who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, (AF)that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—(AG)by whose [g]stripes you were healed. 25 For (AH)you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned (AI)to the Shepherd and [h]Overseer of your souls.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:2 NU adds up to salvation
  2. 1 Peter 2:7 NU disbelieve
  3. 1 Peter 2:13 institution
  4. 1 Peter 2:16 wickedness
  5. 1 Peter 2:21 NU you
  6. 1 Peter 2:21 NU, M you
  7. 1 Peter 2:24 wounds
  8. 1 Peter 2:25 Gr. Episkopos
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