1 Peter 2:2-10

New American Standard Bible

²^(A)and like newborn babies, long for the ^[a]^(B)pure ^[b]milk of the word, so that by it you may ^(C)grow ^[c]in respect to salvation, ³if you have ^(D)tasted ^[d]^(E)the kindness of the Lord.

As Living Stones

⁴And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been ^(F)rejected by people, but is ^[e]choice and precious in the sight of God, ⁵^(G)you also, as living stones, ^[f]are being built up as a ^(H)spiritual house for a holy ^(I)priesthood, to ^(J)offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶For this is contained in ^[g]Scripture:

“^(K)Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a ^(L)precious cornerstone,
And the one who believes in ^[h]Him will not be ^[i]put to shame.”

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

“^(N)A stone which the builders ^(O)rejected,
This became the ^[j]chief cornerstone,”

⁸and,

“^(P)A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

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

⁹But you are ^(S)a chosen people, a royal ^(T)priesthood, a ^(U)holy nation, ^(V)a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you ^(W)out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰^(X)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.