Converts are newborn babes in Christ—He is the chief cornerstone—Saints hold a royal priesthood and are a peculiar people—We are in subjection to the laws of man.

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.