4

unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,

5

ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6

Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

7

For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner

8

and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9

But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God's] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10

who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11

Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul

12

having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.