Peter tells his readers to crave the pure milk of the word. Believers are living stones in a spiritual house, a chosen race and a royal priesthood. They are to live honourably among the Gentiles and submit to authorities.
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice , and all guile , and hypocrisies , and envies , and all evil speakings ,
2 As newborn babes , desire the sincere milk of the word , that ye may grow thereby :
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious .
4 To whom coming , as unto a living stone , disallowed indeed of men , but chosen of God , and precious ,
5 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 .
6 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 .
7 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 ,
8 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 .
9 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 .