The Living Stone and Chosen People
(1 Corinthians 3:10–15; Ephesians 2:19–22)

1Therefore having laid aside all evil, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and all calumniations; 2like newly born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, in order that you may grow thereby unto salvation: 3if you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4Unto whom going forth, to a living stone, indeed rejected by men, but elect with God, precious, 5and you, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, into a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable unto God through Jesus Christ.

6Because it runs thus in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and the one believing on him can not be ashamed.

7Therefore to you who believe he is precious: but to the unbelievers, the stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the head of the corner, and the stone of stumbling, and the rock of offence,

8who stumble over the word, disbelieving: unto which they indeed were appointed.

9But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people unto conquest; in order that you may proclaim the virtues of the one having called you out of darkness unto his own marvelous light: 10who at one time were no people, but now you are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, lint just now having received mercy.

11Beloved, I exhort you as pilgrims and strangers, to abstain from the carnal desire which wars against the soul; 12having your deportment beautiful among the Gentiles: in order that in whatsoever they calumniate you as evil doers, seeing from your beautiful works, they may glorify God in the day of his visitation.

Submission to Authorities
(Romans 13:1–7)

13Submit to every human creature for the sake of the Lord: whether to the king as supereminent, 14or to governors, as those having been sent out by him unto the condemnation of evil doers, and the praise of those doing good; 15because thus it is the will of God, that doing good you should put to shame the ignorance of the ignorant people: 16as free, and not as having the freedom as a cover of evil, but as servants of God. 17Honor all people; love the brotherhood with divine love; fear God; honor the king.

18Servants, be submissive to your masters with all reverence; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. 19For this is grace, if, through the conscience of God, one bears sorrows and suffering unjustly. 20For what glory is there, if, committing sin and being buffeted, you endure it? But if, doing good and suffering you endure it, this is grace with God.

Christ’s Example of Suffering

21For unto this you have been called: because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you may follow in his steps: 22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, 23who, being reviled, reviled not again; suffering, he threatened not, but gave up to the one judging righteously: 24who himself has borne our sins in his own body on the wood, in order that we, being made free from sins, may live unto righteousness: by whose stripe you are healed. 25For you have wandered away like sheep; but you have now turned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.