1 Peter 2:4-10

⁴And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, ⁵you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone,

And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

⁷This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers,

“A stone which the builders rejected,

This became the chief cornerstone,”

⁸and,

“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.

⁹But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.