¹⁷ Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

⁴² Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

¹¹ Jesus is

²⁰ built^(A) on the foundation^(B) of the apostles and prophets,^(C) with Christ Jesus himself^(D) as the chief cornerstone.^{(E) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(F) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(G)

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:

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,^(I)

⁸ and,

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

¹⁰ Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:

⁷ “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.^(A) Then he will bring out the capstone^(B) to shouts^(C) of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”