3. if indeed ye have tasted that the Lord is good.
4. To whom coming, a living stone, cast away indeed as worthless by men, but with God chosen, precious,
5. yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6. Because it is contained in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be put to shame.
7. To you therefore who believe is the preciousness; but to the disobedient, the stone which the builders cast away as worthless, this is become head of the corner,
8. and a stone of stumbling and rock of offence; who stumble at the word, being disobedient to which also they have been appointed.
9. But ye are a chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession, that ye might set forth the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness to his wonderful light;
10. who once were not a people, but now God's people; who were not enjoying mercy, but now have found mercy.
11. Beloved, I exhort you, as strangers and sojourners, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12. having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that as to that in which they speak against you as evildoers, they may through your good works, themselves witnessing them, glorify God in theday of visitation.
13. Be in subjection therefore to every human institution for the Lord's sake; whether to the king as supreme,
14. or to rulers as sent by him, for vengeance on evildoers, and praise to them that do well.
15. Because so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye put to silence the ignorance of senseless men;