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Therefore, ^(C1)rid yourselves of all ^(F1)malice and all deceit and ^(F2)hypocrisy and ^(F2)envy and all ^(F2)(C2)slander,

^(C1)and like newborn babies, long for the ^(F1)(C2)pure ^(F2)milk of the word, so that by it you may ^(C3)grow ^(F3)in respect to salvation,

if you have ^(C1)tasted ^(F1)(C2)the kindness of the Lord.

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been ^(C1)rejected by people, but is ^(F1)choice and precious in the sight of God,

^(C1)you also, as living stones, ^(F1)are being built up as a ^(C2)spiritual house for a holy ^(C3)priesthood, to ^(C4)offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For this is contained in ^(F1)Scripture: "^(C1)BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A ^(C2)PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE, AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN ^(F2)HIM WILL NOT BE ^(F3)PUT TO SHAME."

^(C1)This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers, "^(C2)A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS ^(C3)REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE ^(F1)CHIEF CORNERSTONE,"

and, "^(C1)A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; ^(C2)for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, ^(C3)and to this they were also appointed.

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But you are ^(C1)A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal ^(C2)PRIESTHOOD, A ^(C3)HOLY NATION, ^(C4)A PEOPLE FOR GOD'S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you ^(C5)out of darkness into His marvelous light;

^(C1)for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

^(C1)Beloved, ^(C2)I urge you as ^(C3)foreigners and strangers to abstain from ^(C4)fleshly lusts, which wage ^(C5)war against the soul.

^(C1)Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they ^(C2)slander you as evildoers, they may ^(F1)because of your good deeds, as they observe them, ^(C3)glorify God ^(C4)on the day of ^(F2)visitation.

^(C1)Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,

or to governors as sent ^(F1)by him ^(C1)for the punishment of evildoers and the ^(C2)praise of those who do right.

For ^(F1)(C1)such is the will of God, that by doing right you ^(C2)silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Act as ^(C1)free people, and ^(F1)do not use your freedom as a ^(F2)covering for evil, but use it as ^(C2)bond-servants of God.

^(C1)Honor all people, ^(C2)love the brotherhood, ^(C3)fear God, ^(C4)honor the ^(F1)king.

^(C1)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and ^(C2)gentle, but also to those who are ^(F1)harsh.

For this finds favor, if for the sake of ^(C1)conscience toward God a person endures ^(F1)grief when suffering unjustly.

For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if ^(C1)when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

For ^(C1)you have been called for this purpose, ^(C2)because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you ^(C3)an example, so that you would follow in His steps,

HE WHO ^(C1)COMMITTED NO sin, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT found IN HIS MOUTH;

^(F1)and while being ^(C1)abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

and He Himself ^(F1)(C1)brought our sins in His body up on the ^(F2)(C2)cross, so that we ^(C3)might die to ^(F3)sin and live for righteousness; ^(C4)by His ^(F4)wounds you were ^(C5)healed.

For you were ^(C1)continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the ^(C2)Shepherd and ^(F1)Guardian of your souls.