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St. Peter
2
Wherefore laying away all malice, and all guile, and
dissimulations, and envies, and all detractions,
As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile,
that thereby you may grow unto salvation:
If so be you have tasted that the Lord is sweet.
Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed
by men, but chosen and made honourable by God:
Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house,
a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay
in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he
that shall believe in him, shall not be confounded.
To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to
them that believe not, the stone which the builders
rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of scandal, to
them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto
also they are set.
But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood,
a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare
his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light:
Who in time past were not a people: but are now the
people of God. Who had not obtained mercy; but now have
obtained mercy.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war
against the soul,
Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that
whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may,
by the good works, which they shall behold in you, glorify
God in the day of visitation.
Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for
God's sake: whether it be to the king as excelling;
Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of
evildoers, and for the praise of the good:
For so is the will of God, that by doing well you may
put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
As free, and not as making liberty a cloak for malice,
but as the servants of God.
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour
the king.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear,
not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
For this is thankworthy, if for conscience towards God,
a man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully.
For what glory is it, if committing sin, and being buffeted
for it, you endure? But if doing well you suffer patiently;
this is thankworthy before God.
For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving you an example that you should follow
his steps.
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.
Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered,
he threatened not: but delivered himself to him that
judged him unjustly.
Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the
tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice:
by whose stripes you were healed.
For you were as sheep going astray; but you are now
converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.
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