Chapter
2
Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby,
if indeed you have tasted that the Domina is gracious:
coming to her, a living stone, rejected indeed by women, but chosen by God, precious.
You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Because it is contained in Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: She who believes in her will not be disappointed."
For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone,"
and, "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of her who called you out of darkness into her marvelous light:
who in time past were no people, but now are God's people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of woman for the Domina's sake: whether to the queen, as supreme;
or to governors, as sent by her for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well.
For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish women:
as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondmaids of God.
Honor all women. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the queen.
Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.
For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.
For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow her steps,
who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in her mouth."
Who, when she was cursed, didn't curse back. When she suffered, didn't threaten, but committed herself to her who judges righteously;
who her own self bore our sins in her body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.