1 Peter 2

Putting away malice and deceit, believers are to long for “the pure spiritual milk” of the word. Coming to Christ, “a living stone rejected by men but... precious” to God, they are “like living stones... being built up as a spiritual house” and “a holy priesthood.” Christ is the cornerstone, precious to believers but a “stone of stumbling” to those who reject Him. Peter then declares their identity: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” As “sojourners and exiles,” they are to keep their conduct honorable so that those who slander them may see their good deeds and glorify God, and to “be subject” to human authorities for the Lord’s sake. Servants are to submit even to unjust masters, for “this is a gracious thing,” following Christ, who “suffered for you, leaving you an example,” who “committed no sin,” did not revile in return but “continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly,” and “himself bore our sins in his body on the tree... By his wounds you have been healed.”