7. This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,"
8. and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
9. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10. for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
12. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
14. or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
15. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
16. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
17. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
18. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.