1 As Newborn Babes So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slanderandhateful speech;
2 like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurturedandgrow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],
3 if in fact you have [already] tastedLit that the Lord is kind.the goodnessandgracious kindness of the Lord.
4 As Living Stones Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejectedandthrew away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God.
5 You [believers], like living stones, areOr are to be built.being built up into a spiritual house for a holyanddedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptableandpleasing to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture:“B, IZ,(honored) C,AH[whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him][in his expectations].”
7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe [in Him as God’s only Son—the Source of salvation]; but for those who disbelieve,“T[very]HC,”
8 and,“A”;for they stumble because they disobey the word [of God], and to this they [who reject Him as Savior] were also appointed.
9 But you are,royal,,[special]God’s, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
10 Once you were[at all], but now you are G; once you had, but now you have.
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul.
12 Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so thatLit in that which.for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify GodAnother view interprets this as the day when the wicked are judged by God.in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].
13 Honor Authority Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power,
14 or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praiseandencourage those who do right.
15 For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignoranceandirresponsible criticisms of foolish people.
16 Liveas free people, but do not use your freedom as a coverorpretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God.
17 Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king.
18 The Greek refers to household servants who may have been well-educated and managed the estate.Servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind, but also to those who are unreasonable.
19 For thisfindsfavor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of anLit conscience toward.awareness of [the will of] God.
20 After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, thisfindsfavor with God.
21 Christ Is Our Example For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.
22 H,H.
23 While being reviledandinsulted, He did not revileorinsult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrustingHimselfto Him who judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins in His body on theLit wood.cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have beenGenerally regarded as a reference to being spiritually healed from the illness of sin; however, many also consider physical healing to be included in Christ’s atoning death.healed.
25 For you were continually wandering like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.