^2 (A)as newborn babes, desire the pure ^(B)milk of the word, that you may grow ^[a]thereby, ³ if indeed you have ^(C)tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People^(D)

⁴ Coming to Him as to a living stone, ^(E)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,

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

⁸ and

^(I)They stumble, being disobedient to the word, ^(J)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 ^(K)darkness into His marvelous light;

Approved and Disapproved Workers

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, ^(A)charging them before the Lord not to ^[a]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ^15 (B)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and ^[b]idle babblings, for they will ^[c]increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. ^(C)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, ^(D)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless ^(E)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord ^(F)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of ^[d]Christ depart from iniquity.”

²⁰ But in a great house there are not only ^(G)vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, ^[e]sanctified and useful for the Master, ^(H)prepared for every good work. ^22 (I)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And ^(J)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, ^(K)able to teach, ^(L)patient, ^25 (M)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, ^(N)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, ^(O)so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and ^(P)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.