1 Therefore, having put away all malice {kakian: hostile intent} and all deceit and hypocrisies and envies and all slanders {katalalias: backbiting speech},
2 As newborn infants {brephe: immature believers}, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow toward salvation {soteria: complete deliverance}.
3 If you have tasted that the Lord {Kyrios, Gracious Provider} is good {chrestos: generous, kindhearted}.
4 As you come to Him, the living stone {lithos: God’s Chosen Building-Stone}, rejected indeed by people but chosen and honored by God {Theos, Sovereign Chooser}.
5 And you yourselves, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God {Theos, Divine Recipient} through Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Priestly Mediator}.
6 Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I {Theos, Covenant Promise Maker} lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and whoever believes in Him {Christos, Trusted Foundation} will never be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, the honor {time: bestowed value} is for you who believe, but for those who disbelieve the stone {lithos: chosen foundation} which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; they are the ones who stumble at the word {logos: divine message}, being disobedient {apeithountes: refusing to believe}, to which they were also appointed.
9 But you are a chosen race, a priesthood of the King, a holy nation, a people set apart for possession {peripoiesis: specially treasured}, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him {Theos, Sovereign Caller} who called you from darkness into His wonderful light.
10 Who once were not a people, but now are the people of God {Theos, Merciful Covenant Maker}; who had not been shown mercy {eleeō: granted compassion}, but now have been shown mercy.
11 Beloved {agapetoi: deeply loved}, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from fleshly desires, which wage war against the soul {psyche: inner life core}.
12 Keep your conduct {anastrophe: daily behavior} honorable among the Gentiles, so that, whatever slander they bring against you as evildoers, by observing your good works they may glorify God {Theos, Worthy of Praise} on the day of visitation.
13 Be subject to every human institution {ktisis: established order} for the Lord’s {Kyrios, Supreme Authority} sake, whether to a king as the one in highest position.
14 Or to governors as those sent by him for the punishment {ekdikesis: just retribution} of evildoers and the praise {epainon: public approval} of those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God {Theos, Righteous Lawgiver}, that by doing good you may silence the ignorance {agnosia: lack of knowledge} of foolish men.
16 As free people, and not as those who have the freedom as a cover {epikalumma: deceptive pretext} for evil, but as servants of God {Theos, Rightful Master}.
17 Honor everyone {pantas: all without exception}. Love the brotherhood. Fear God {Theos, Supreme Lord}. Honor the king.
18 Household servants, submit yourselves with all respect {phobo: deep reverence} to your masters, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh {skoliois: unjustly demanding}.
19 For this is grace {charis: undeserved favor}, if because of conscience {syneidesin: inner moral awareness} toward God {Theos, Approving Witness} someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
20 For what kind of credit {kleos: public honor} is it if, when you sin and are beaten, you endure? But if, when you do good and suffer, you endure, this is grace with God {Theos, Righteous Judge}.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ {Christos, Suffering Redeemer} also suffered for you, leaving an example {hupogrammon: pattern to imitate} for you, so that you might follow in His steps.
22 He {Christos, Sinless Example} did no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth {stomati: speech instrument}.
23 When He {Christos, Patient Sufferer} was reviled, He did not answer with reviling; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges righteously {dikaios: truly just}.
24 He {Iesous, Sin Bearer} Himself carried our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live to righteousness {dikaiosyne: covenant justice}, by whose wound you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have turned back to the Shepherd and Overseer {episkopos: protective guardian} of your souls {psyche: inner life}.