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1 ) Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speaking,
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2 ) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that all of you may grow thereby:
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3 ) If so be all of you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
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4 ) To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
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5 ) All of you also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
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6 ) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.
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7 ) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
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8 ) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: unto which also they were appointed.
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9 ) But all of you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, an exclusive people, that all of you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light,
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10 ) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
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11 ) Dearly beloved, I plead to you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,
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12 ) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.