As Newborn Babes

2 Therefore, ^(A)putting aside all ^[a]malice and all deceit and ^[b]hypocrisy and ^[c]envy and all ^[d](B)slander, ^2 (C)like newborn babies, long for the ^[e](D)pure ^[f]milk of the word, so that by it you may ^(E)grow ^[g]in respect to salvation, ³ if you have ^(F)tasted ^[h](G)the kindness of the Lord.

⁹ But you are ^(A)a chosen race, a royal ^(B)priesthood, a ^(C)holy nation, ^(D)a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you ^(E)out of darkness into His marvelous light;

²⁴ and He Himself ^[a](A)bore our sins in His body on the ^[b](B)cross, so that we ^(C)might die to ^[c]sin and live to righteousness; for ^(D)by His ^[d]wounds you were ^(E)healed. ²⁵ For you were ^(F)continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the ^(G)Shepherd and ^[e]Guardian of your souls.