²³ For you have been born again,^(A) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(B) through the living and enduring word of God.^{(C) 24} For,

And this is the word that was preached to you.

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

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

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