¹⁶ And if they learn^(A) well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’^(B)—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal^(C)—then they will be established among my people.^(D)

⁷ Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear^(A) by them. You must not serve them or bow down^(B) to them.

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(A) but fellow citizens^(B) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(C) 20} built^(D) on the foundation^(E) of the apostles and prophets,^(F) with Christ Jesus himself^(G) as the chief cornerstone.^{(H) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(I) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(J)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone^(A)—rejected by humans but chosen by God^(B) and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(C) into a spiritual house^[a](D) to be a holy priesthood,^(E) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^{(F) 6} For in Scripture it says:

⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service;^(A) you are God’s field,^(B) God’s building.^(C)

¹¹ It is written:

¹⁷ If some of the branches have been broken off,^(A) and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others^(B) and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,