MSB 1 PET Chapter 2

The Living Stone and Chosen People

(Isaiah 28:14–22, 1 Corinthians 3:10–15, Ephesians 2:19–22)

Rid yourselves, therefore, {of} all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow,[fn] 3 if indeed[fn] you have tasted that the Lord [is] good.

4 

As you come to [Him], [the] living stone, rejected by men but chosen [and] precious in God’s sight, 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house,[fn] a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“See, I lay in Zion a stone,

a chosen [and] precious cornerstone;

and the [one who] believes in Him

vvv vvv will never be put to shame.”[fn]

7 

To you who believe, then, [this stone] is precious. But [to those who] are disobedient,[fn]

“[The] stone the builders rejected

has become vvv the cornerstone,”[fn]

8 

and,

“A stone of stumbling

and a rock of offense.”[fn]

[They] stumble [because] they disobey the word— and to [this] they were appointed.

9 

But you [are] a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God’s own] possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once [you were] not a people, but now [you are] [the] people of God; [once you] vvv had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.[fn]

11 

Beloved, I urge [you], as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from [the] desires of the flesh, which war against [your] soul. 12 Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, vvv though they slander you as evildoers, they may see [your] good deeds [and] glorify God on [the] day He visits us.

13 

Submission to Authorities

(Romans 13:1–7)

Therefore[fn] submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to [the] king as the supreme [authority], 14 or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is vvv God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.

16 

[Live] in freedom, [but] vvv do not use [your] freedom as a cover-up for evil; [live] as servants of God. 17 Treat everyone with high regard Love the brotherhood [of believers],[fn] fear God, honor the king.

18 

Servants, submit yourselves to [your] masters with all respect,[fn] not only to those who [are] good and gentle, but even to those who [are] unreasonable. 19 For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. 20 How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure [it]? But if you suffer for doing good [and] you endure [it], this [is] commendable before God.

21 

Christ’s Example of Suffering

(Isaiah 53:1–8)

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,[fn] leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

22 

“He committed no sin,

[and] no deceit was found in His mouth.”[fn]

23 

vvv When they heaped abuse on Him,

vvv He did not retaliate;

when He suffered, vvv He made no threats,

but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

24 

[He] Himself bore our sins[fn]

in His body on the tree,

so that we might die to sin

[and] live to righteousness.

“By His stripes you are healed.”[fn]

25 

For“you were like sheep going astray,”[fn] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your[fn] souls.