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1
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Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, |
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2
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As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: |
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3
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If so be ye have tasted that the Lord gracious. |
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4
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To whom coming, a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, precious, |
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5
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Ye 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
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Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. |
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7
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Unto you therefore which believe 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
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And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. |
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9
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But ye a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: |
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10
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Which in time past not a people, but now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. |
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11
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Dearly beloved, I beseech as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; |
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12
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Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. |
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13
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Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; |
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14
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Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. |
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15
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For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: |
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16
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As free, and not using liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. |
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17
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Honour all . Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. |
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18
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Servants, subject to masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. |
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19
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For this thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. |
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20
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For what glory , if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer , ye take it patiently, this acceptable with God. |
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21
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For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: |
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22
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Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: |
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23
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Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed to him that judgeth righteously: |
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24
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Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. |
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25
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For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. |