The Lord is Good

1Wherefore laying away all malice and all guile and dissimulations and envies and all detractions, 2As newborn babes, desire the rational milk without guile, that thereby you may grow unto salvation: 3If so be you have tasted that the Lord is sweet.

The Living Stone

(Isaiah 28:14-22; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

4Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen and made honourable by God: 5Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe in him shall not be confounded.

7To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:

8And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set.

9But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10Who in times past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

11Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul, 12Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Submission to Authorities

(Romans 13:1-7)

13Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God's sake: whether it be to the king as excelling, 14Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good. 15For so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16As free and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God. 17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward. 19For this is thankworthy: if, for conscience towards God, a man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully. 20For what glory is it, if, committing sin and being buffeted for it, you endure? But if doing well you suffer patiently: this is thankworthy before God.

Christ's Example of Suffering

(Isaiah 53:1-8; Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; John 18:19-24)

21For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. 23Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not, but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly. 24Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed. 25For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.