1 Peter 2:4-12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones let yourselves be built[a] into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(A) 6 For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”(B)
7 This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,[b]
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,”(C)
8 and
“A stone that makes them stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.(D)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,[c] in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.(E)
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.(F)
Live as Servants of God
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.[d](G) 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.[e](H)
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