3. now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4. As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen by God and precious,
5. you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house—a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Messiah Yeshua.
6. For it says in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen, precious cornerstone. Whoever trusts in Him will never be put to shame.”
7. Now the value is for you who keep trusting; but for those who do not trust, “The stone which the builders rejected— this One has become the chief cornerstone,”
8. and “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they are disobeying the word—to this they were also appointed.
9. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
10. Once you were “not a people,” but now you are “God’s people.” You were shown “no mercy,” but now you have been shown “mercy.”
11. Loved ones, I urge you as strangers and sojourners to keep away from the fleshly cravings that war against the soul.