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1 Peter

Offers hope and instructions for Christians facing suffering and persecution.

Chapter 2

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1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

*So, putting aside everything bad like deceit, pretending, fake behaviors, jealousy, and all negative talking.

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

*Like new babies, want pure food from the word to help you grow.

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

*If you've experienced it, know that the Lord is kind.

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

*To those approaching, like a real living rock, rejected by people, but picked by God, and valuable.

5 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.

*You too, like living stones, form a spiritual home - a holy priesthood - to offer spiritual sacrifices that please God through Jesus Christ.

6 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.

*This verse means that the scripture says there is a special, valuable stone placed in a place called Zion, and if you trust in that stone, you won't be confused or disappointed.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

*To those who believe, he is valuable. But to those who disobey, the stone that builders rejected is now the main cornerstone.

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

*A stumbling block and a cause of offense, for those who trip over the word and are disobedient; they were meant for this.

9 But ye are 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:

*But you are a special group of people, chosen to serve as priests, a holy nation different from others. You were called out of darkness and into wonderful light so you can show how great he is.

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

*In the past, they were not a people, but now they belong to God. They didn't receive mercy before, but now they have received it.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

*Dear friends, I kindly ask you, as visitors and travelers in this world, to avoid earthly desires that fight against our inner selves.

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

*Be honest when talking to non-believers. This way, when they see your good actions, they might praise God when He returns.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

*Obey all human rules for the Lord's sake, whether it's to the king who is in charge.

14 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.

*To leaders, as those sent by God to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good.

15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

*God wants you to do good so that you can quiet down those who don't understand things properly.

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

*Don't misuse your freedom as an excuse to do bad things; instead, be like God's helpers.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

*Treat everyone with respect. Love your fellow believers. Fear God. Respect the ruler.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

*Servants, obey your bosses with great respect; not just the nice ones, but also the difficult ones.

19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

*It's good to be thankful when someone suffers unfairly because of their loyalty to God.

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

*What's the point of being patient when you're blamed for your mistakes? But if you do good and still face hardship, that's pleasing to God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

*You were called for this purpose because Christ suffered for us. He gave us an example to follow by enduring suffering, too.

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

*Who committed no wrong, and deceitfulness wasn't present in what he said

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

*Who, when insulted, didn't insult back; when suffering, didn't threaten; instead, trusted the one who judges fairly.

24 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.

*He took upon himself our wrongdoings and suffered for them on a cross. This way, we die to sin and live for what is right, and it's through his wounds that we are healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

*You were like lost sheep, but now you're back with the Shepherd and Leader who guides your lives.

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