But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name.

and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.

you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.

Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves.

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.

You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.

but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.

So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God’s sight,

Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.

Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme

You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.