Rid yourselves , therefore , {of} all malice , - - deceit , - hypocrisy , - envy , and - slander.
Like newborn babies , crave - pure spiritual milk , so that by it you may grow up in (your) salvation ,
now that you have tasted that the Lord (is) good.
As you come to (Him) , (the) living stone , - rejected by men but chosen (and) precious in God’s sight ,
you also , like living stones , are being built into a spiritual house to (be) a holy priesthood , offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable - to God through Jesus Christ.
For it stands in Scripture : “ See , I lay in Zion a stone , a chosen (and) precious cornerstone ; and the (one who) believes in Him vvv vvv will never be put to shame.”
To you who believe , then , (this stone) is precious. But (to those who) do not believe , “ (The) stone - the builders rejected - has become ... vvv the cornerstone ,”
and , “ A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” (They) stumble (because) they disobey the word — and to (this) they were appointed.
But you (are) a chosen people , a royal priesthood , a holy nation , a people for (God’s own) possession , to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous - light.
Once (you were) not a people , but now (you are) (the) people of God ; (once you) vvv had not received mercy , but now you have received mercy.
Beloved , I urge (you) , as foreigners and exiles , to abstain from (the) desires of the flesh , which war against (your) soul.
- Conduct ... yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that , vvv though they slander you as evildoers , - they may see (your) good deeds (and) glorify - God on (the) day He visits us.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution , whether to (the) king as the supreme (authority) ,
or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
For it is vvv God’s - will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish - men.
(Live) in freedom , (but) vvv do not use (your) freedom as a cover-up for evil ; - (live) as servants of God.
Treat everyone with high regard ... : Love the brotherhood (of believers) , fear - God , honor the king.
- Servants , submit yourselves to (your) masters with all respect , not only to those who (are) good and gentle , but even to those who (are) unreasonable.
For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God , this is to be commended.
- How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure (it) ? But if - you suffer for doing good (and) you endure (it) , this (is) commendable before God.
For to this ... you were called , because Christ also suffered for you , leaving you an example , that you should follow in His - footsteps :
“ He committed no sin , (and) no deceit was found in His - mouth.”
vvv When they heaped abuse on Him , vvv He did not retaliate ; when He suffered , vvv He made no threats , but entrusted Himself to Him who Judges - justly.
(He) Himself bore our - sins in His - body on the tree , so that we might die - to sin (and) live - to righteousness. “ By (His) - stripes you are healed.”
For “ you were like sheep going astray , ” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.