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Jesus Is the Living Stone

So then, rid yourselves of all evil, all ·lying [deceit], hypocrisy, ·jealousy [envy], and ·evil speech [slander; C all traits that destroy relationships; Rom. 13:13; Eph. 4:25–32; Col. 3:8]. As newborn babies want milk, you should want the ·pure [sincere; unadulterated] and ·simple [or spiritual] ·teaching [L milk; C probably referring to the word of God; see 1:23–25]. By it you can ·mature [grow; reach maturity] in your salvation, because you have already ·examined and seen [L tasted] how good the Lord is [Ps. 34:8].

Come to the Lord Jesus, the ·“stone” that lives [L a living stone; C Jesus is the most important stone in the spiritual temple described in v. 5]. ·The people of the world did not want this stone, but he was the stone God chose, and he was precious [L …rejected by people, but chosen and precious/valuable to God]. You also are like living stones, so let yourselves be used to build a spiritual ·temple [house]—to be holy priests who offer spiritual sacrifices that are ·acceptable [pleasing] to God ·through [or because they are mediated by] Jesus Christ. The Scripture ·says [L contains]:

[L See; Look,] I will ·put a stone in the ground in Jerusalem [L lay a stone in Zion; C Zion is a poetic term for Jerusalem].
    ·Everything will be built on this important and precious rock [L a chosen and precious cornerstone; C the stone that supports the others].
Anyone who ·trusts [believes; has faith] in him
    will never be ·disappointed [L put to shame; Is. 28:16].”

  ·This stone is worth much to you who believe [or You who believe see the honor/value/preciousness of the stone; L The honor is to you who believe]. But to the people who do not believe,

“the stone that the builders rejected
    has become ·the cornerstone [L head of the corner; C the precise meaning is uncertain, but clearly refers to the most important stone in a building; Ps. 118:22; compare Mark 12:10–11; Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20–22].”

  ·Also, he is [L And]

“a stone that causes people to stumble,
    a rock that ·makes them fall [trips them; snares them; causes them to sin; offends them; Is. 8:14; Rom. 9:32–33].”

They stumble because they do not obey ·what God says [the message/word], which is what God ·planned to happen to [destined/appointed for] them.

But you are a chosen ·people [or generation; Is. 43:21], royal ·priests [L priesthood], a holy nation, a people ·for God’s own possession [who belong to God; Ex. 19:5–6]. You were chosen to ·tell about the wonderful acts of God, who [proclaim the praises/virtues of him who] called you out of darkness into his ·wonderful [marvelous] light. 10 At one time you were not a people, but now you are God’s people. In the past you had ·never [L not] received mercy, but now you have received God’s mercy [Hos. 2:23].

Live for God

11 ·Dear friends [L Beloved], I ·beg [urge; exhort] you as ·foreigners [strangers; sojourners; resident aliens; 1:17] and ·strangers in this world [exiles; temporary residents; refugees; foreigners; 1:1; Gen. 23:4] to ·avoid [abstain from] the ·evil things your bodies want to do [L fleshly/worldly desires] that fight against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among unbelievers [L the Gentiles/pagans] that, even though they might ·say that you are doing wrong [slander you; accuse you of doing evil], they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God ·on the day when Christ comes again [when Christ comes to judge; L on the day of visitation].

Yield to Every Human Authority

13 For the Lord’s sake, ·yield [submit; be subject] to ·the people who have authority in this world [or every human institution/creation; Rom. 13:1–7; Titus 3:1]: the ·king [or emperor], who is the ·highest [supreme] authority, 14 and the ·leaders [governors] who are ·sent [commissioned] by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 [L For; Because] It is ·God’s desire [L the will of God] that by doing good you should ·stop foolish people from saying stupid things about you [L silence the ignorant talk of foolish people]. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an ·excuse [cover-up; pretext] to do evil. Live as ·servants [slaves] of God. 17 ·Show respect for [Honor] all people: Love the ·brothers and sisters of God’s family [community of believers; brotherhood], ·respect [fear] God [Prov. 1:7], honor the king [or emperor; Rom. 13:1].

Follow Christ’s Example

18 ·Slaves [Servants; C the term refers to household slaves], ·yield [submit; be subject; C put the other person’s interests first] to the authority of your masters with all ·respect [fear; deference; Eph. 6:5–9; Col. 3:22—4:1], not only those who are good and ·kind [gentle; considerate], but also those who are ·dishonest [or cruel; L crooked]. 19 A person might have to suffer even when it is ·unfair [unjust], but if ·through awareness of God [or because of his God-given conscience] he endures the ·pain [grief], ·God is pleased [or this is commendable; L this is favor/credit/grace]. 20 If you are beaten for ·doing wrong [sin], ·there is no reason to praise you [what credit/honor is that for you…?] for ·being patient in your punishment [enduring it]. But if you suffer for doing good, and you ·are patient [endure it], ·then God is pleased [this is commendable to God; L this is favor/credit/grace from God]. 21 [L For] This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you ·and gave you [leaving you] an example to follow. So you should ·do as he did [L follow in his footsteps].

22 “He ·had never sinned [committed no sin],
    and ·he had never lied [L no deceit was found in his mouth; Is. 53:9].”

23 People ·insulted [abused; reviled] Christ, but he did not ·insult [abuse; revile] them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. ·He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him [L He delivered/entrusted himself to the One who judges justly/rightly]. 24 Christ [L himself] ·carried [bore] our sins in his body on the ·cross [L tree; Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13] so we would ·stop living for [die to] sin and start living for ·what is right [righteousness]. And you are healed ·because of [by] his wounds. 25 [L For] You were like sheep that wandered away [Is. 53:6], but now you have come back to the Shepherd and ·Overseer [Guardian] of your souls.

Il popolo di Dio

Perciò liberatevi da ogni forma di male. Non limitatevi a fingere di essere buoni! Non siate disonesti, né ipocriti, né invidiosi; e non fate maldicenze! 2-3 Ora che avete toccato con mano la bontà del Signore, gettate alle ortiche ogni cosa cattiva! Come bambini appena nati, siate bramosi di latte puro e spirituale, per crescere nella pienezza della salvezza. Avvicinatevi a Cristo, che è la pietra viva su cui Dio costruisce. Gli uomini, è vero, lʼhanno scartata, ma Dio lʼha scelta per il suo pregio.

Siate anche voi, allora, come tante pietre viventi che, entrando nella struttura dellʼedificio, formano una casa spirituale. Come sacerdoti consacrati a Dio, avvicinatevi a lui, voi che gli siete graditi in virtù di Gesù Cristo, e offritegli i sacrifici spirituali che egli gradisce. Infatti, si legge nelle Scritture: «Ecco io pongo in Sion una pietra angolare, scelta e preziosa. Chi crede in essa non resterà deluso».

Perciò, per voi che avete creduto questa pietra è molto preziosa. Ma per quelli che rifiutano di credere, valgono queste parole: «La stessa pietra, scartata dai costruttori, è diventata la pietra principale dellʼedificio». Le Scritture dicono inoltre: «Egli è il sasso che li fa inciampare, la pietra che li fa cadere». Essi vʼinciampano, perché non hanno voluto ubbidire alla Parola di Dio. Questa è la fine a cui Dio li ha destinati.

Voi, però, non siete come loro, perché siete stati scelti da Dio stesso. Per il regno di Dio voi siete un popolo di sacerdoti, santi e puri, un popolo che Dio sʼè conquistato. Tutto questo, perché possiate annunciare le opere perfette di colui che dalle tenebre vi ha chiamati alla sua luce meravigliosa. 10 Una volta, voi non eravate nemmeno un popolo, ora invece siete il popolo di Dio. Voi che non conoscevate la misericordia di Dio, ora invece lʼavete ottenuta.

11 Fratelli miei, qui siete soltanto forestieri. Dato che la vostra vera casa è in cielo, vi prego di non aver nulla a che fare con i desideri malvagi di questo mondo, che sono sempre in lotta contro la vostra anima.

12 Comportatevi bene fra i non credenti, così, invece di parlare male di voi e guardarvi con sospetto, vedendo quanto bene fate, dovranno lodare Dio nel giorno in cui Cristo tornerà. 13 Per amore del Signore, siate sottomessi ad ogni autorità umana: sia che si tratti di capi di Stato, 14 che dʼaltre persone incaricate da loro di punire i colpevoli e di premiare la gente per bene.

15 È la volontà di Dio che, vivendo nel modo giusto, chiudiate la bocca a quelli che stupidamente condannano il Vangelo senza conoscerlo, senza averne sperimentato la potenza. 16 Voi siete liberi dalle leggi, ma non servitevi della libertà come paravento per agire male, bensì per servire Dio.

17 Rispettate tutti, amate i fratelli cristiani, temete Dio e onorate chi vi governa.

18 Voi servi rispettate i vostri padroni e fate tutto ciò che vi dicono, non soltanto se sono buoni e ragionevoli, ma anche se sono difficili e severi. 19 Dio, infatti, vi apprezza se, per la convinzione di doverlo fare per lui, sopportate una punizione ingiusta.

20 Che merito avreste, altrimenti, a sopportare pazientemente un castigo che avete meritato? Ma se, agendo bene, vi tocca soffrire, e sopportate con pazienza, allora Dio ne è contento.

21 Questa sofferenza fa parte del compito che Dio vi ha assegnato. Cristo, che ha sofferto per voi, vi serve dʼesempio. Seguite i suoi passi! 22 Egli non peccò mai, né disse mai la minima bugia. 23 Quando fu insultato, non rispose mai per le rime, e mentre soffriva non minacciava, ma aveva fiducia in Dio, che giudica sempre giustamente. 24 Egli stesso portò il peso dei nostri peccati sul suo corpo, quando morì sulla croce, perché noi tagliassimo i ponti col peccato e vivessimo una vita giusta. È stato con le sue ferite che egli ci ha guarito! 25 Come pecore che si sono disperse, vi eravate allontanati da Dio, ma ora siete ritornati al vostro pastore, al guardiano delle vostre anime, che vi protegge da ogni male.

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Therefore, rid yourselves(A) of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander(B) of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,(C) so that by it you may grow up(D) in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.(E)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

As you come to him, the living Stone(F)—rejected by humans but chosen by God(G) and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built(H) into a spiritual house[a](I) to be a holy priesthood,(J) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(K) For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,(L)
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”[b](M)

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,(N)

“The stone the builders rejected(O)
    has become the cornerstone,”[c](P)

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”[d](Q)

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.(R)

But you are a chosen people,(S) a royal priesthood,(T) a holy nation,(U) God’s special possession,(V) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.(W) 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;(X) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

11 Dear friends,(Y) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,(Z) to abstain from sinful desires,(AA) which wage war against your soul.(AB) 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds(AC) and glorify God(AD) on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:(AE) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong(AF) and to commend those who do right.(AG) 15 For it is God’s will(AH) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.(AI) 16 Live as free people,(AJ) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;(AK) live as God’s slaves.(AL) 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,(AM) fear God, honor the emperor.(AN)

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,(AO) not only to those who are good and considerate,(AP) but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.(AQ) 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.(AR) 21 To this(AS) you were called,(AT) because Christ suffered for you,(AU) leaving you an example,(AV) that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,(AW)
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e](AX)

23 When they hurled their insults at him,(AY) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.(AZ) Instead, he entrusted himself(BA) to him who judges justly.(BB) 24 “He himself bore our sins”(BC) in his body on the cross,(BD) so that we might die to sins(BE) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”(BF) 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f](BG) but now you have returned to the Shepherd(BH) and Overseer of your souls.(BI)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:5 Or into a temple of the Spirit
  2. 1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16
  3. 1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22
  4. 1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14
  5. 1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
  6. 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)