1 Peter 2:3-12

3if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

4unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,

5ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

7For you therefore which believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;

8and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may shew forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

10which in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12having your behaviour seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.