1So get rid of all evil, all deception, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all evil talk.
2Like newborn babies, strongly desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow in your salvation,
3since you have experienced how kind the Lord is.
4You are coming to him, to a living stone, which people rejected but God chose as precious.
5You yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy group of priests, offering spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6For the Scripture says, “Look, I am placing in Zion a main cornerstone, specially chosen and precious. Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
7So, to you who believe, he is precious. But for those who do not obey, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the most important cornerstone,”
8and “a stone that people stumble over and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they don’t obey the message, which is what was planned for them.
9But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people who belong to God. This is so you can tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his amazing light.
10In the past, you were not considered a people, but now you are God’s people. In the past, you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11Dear friends, I urge you, as outsiders and travelers in this world, to stay away from sinful desires that fight against your soul.
12Live good lives among those who don't know God. Then, even if they speak against you as evildoers, they will see your good deeds and give glory to God on the day he comes to us.
13For the Lord’s sake, obey every human authority, whether it is the king as the supreme ruler,
14or governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
15Because God wants you to silence foolish people’s ignorance by doing good.
16Live as free people, but don't use your freedom as an excuse for evil. Instead, live as servants of God.
17Respect everyone. Love your fellow believers. Fear God. Honor the king.
18Servants, submit to your masters with complete respect. Do this not only with the good and gentle ones, but also with the harsh ones.
19It is commendable if someone endures pain when suffering unfairly because they have a clear conscience toward God.
20What credit is it if you patiently endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you patiently endure suffering for doing good, this is commendable in God’s eyes.
21You were called to do this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example so you could follow in his footsteps.
22He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
23When he was insulted, he did not insult back. When he suffered, he did not make threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to God, who judges fairly.
24He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross, so that we, having died to sins, might live for what is right. By his wounds, you were healed.
25You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Protector of your souls.