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

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

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.

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.

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,

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.

Read full chapter

now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.(A)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

As you come to him, the living Stone(B)—rejected by humans but chosen by God(C) and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built(D) into a spiritual house[a](E) to be a holy priesthood,(F) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.(G) For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,(H)
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”[b](I)

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,(J)

“The stone the builders rejected(K)
    has become the cornerstone,”[c](L)

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”[d](M)

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.(N)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:5 Or into a temple of the Spirit
  2. 1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16
  3. 1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22
  4. 1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14