1 Peter 2 — FBV
2Verse 1So give up all the evil things that you do: all your dishonesty, hypocrisy, and jealousy, all the ways you speak badly about others.Verse 2You should become like newborn babies who only want pure spiritual milk, so you can grow in salvationVerse 3now you've tasted how good the Lord really is.Verse 4As you come to him—the living stone that people rejected as useless, but is chosen by God and precious to him—Verse 5you also become like living stones, being built into a spiritual house. You are a holy priesthood that offers spiritual sacrifices that God welcomes through Jesus Christ.Verse 6As Scripture+says, “See! I'm setting in Zion its main cornerstone, specially-chosen and valuable. Whoever trusts in him will not be disappointed.”+Verse 7He is very valuable to you who do trust. But for those who don't, “The stone the builders rejected that became the main cornerstone”+Verse 8is “The stone that trips you up and the rock that makes you fall.”+People stumble over this message because they refuse to accept it—which for them is entirely predictable.Verse 9In complete contrast, you are a specially-chosen family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. Consequently you can reveal the wonderful things he's done, calling you out of darkness into his marvelous light.Verse 10In the past you were nobodies, but now you are God's people. In the past you hadn't received mercy, but now you have received mercy.Verse 11My friends, I'm pleading with you as foreigners and strangers+in this world not to give in to physical desires that are in conflict with what is spiritual.Verse 12Be sure to act appropriately when you're with non-Christians, so even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see the good things you do and glorify God when he comes.+Verse 13Obey human authority for the Lord's sake, whether it is the king as the highest authority,Verse 14or governors that God appoints to punish those who do evil and to commend those who do good.Verse 15By doing what is good and right God wants you to silence the ignorant accusations of foolish people.Verse 16Yes, you are free people! So don't use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but live as God's servants.Verse 17Respect everyone. Show your love to the community of believers. Have reverence for God. Respect the king.Verse 18If you are a servant then submit to your master—not just those who are good and kind, but those who are harsh masters as well.Verse 19For this is what grace is: to endure life's pain and unfair suffering, keeping your focus on God.Verse 20However, there's no credit when you're punished for doing something wrong. But if you suffer for doing what is good and right, and you put up with it, then God's grace is with you.Verse 21In fact this is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example, so you should follow in his footsteps.Verse 22He never sinned, he never lied;+Verse 23and when he was badly treated, he didn't retaliate. When he suffered, he didn't threaten to take revenge. He simply placed himself in the hands of the one who always judges rightly.Verse 24He took the consequences of our sins on himself in his body on the cross, so that we could die to sin and live rightly.+“By his wounds you are healed.”+Verse 25At one time you were like sheep who had lost their way,+but now you've returned to the Shepherd—the one who watches over you.