1 Peter 2

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

1So stop being mean to people. Stop lying and tricking them. Stop pretending to be good. Stop wanting what other people have. Stop saying bad things about anyone.

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

2Newborn babies want pure milk. Want God's word the same way. It will help you grow up.

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

3You have already tasted how good the Lord is.

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

4Come to Jesus. He is like a stone that is alive. People said no to him. But God chose him, and God loves him.

5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

5You are living stones too. God is building you into a house for himself. You are his priests, people who serve God. You bring him gifts from your heart. Jesus Christ makes those gifts welcome to God.

6Wherefore 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.

6The Bible says this: "Look, I am putting a stone in Zion. It is the corner stone, the one that holds the whole building straight. I chose it, and it is precious to me. Anyone who trusts him will never be ashamed."

7Unto 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,

7So to you who trust him, this stone is precious. But some people will not obey. For them these words came true: "The builders threw this stone away. Now it is the most important stone of all."

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

8The Bible also calls him "a stone that trips people, a rock that makes them fall." They trip because they will not obey God's word. This is what they were meant for.

9But 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:

9But you are the people God chose. You are priests who serve the King. You are a holy nation. You belong to God himself. So tell everyone how good he is. He called you out of the dark into his wonderful light.

NoteThe old King James wording says "a peculiar people." In 1611 that meant a people who belong to God, not people who are odd.

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

10Once you were not a people at all. Now you are God's people. Once no one had shown you mercy. Now God has been kind to you.

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

11Dear friends, you live here like visitors far from home. So I beg you, say no to the wrong things your body wants. Those wants fight against your soul.

12Having 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.

12Live a good life among people who do not know God. They may say you do bad things. But they will see the good you do. Then they will praise God on the day he comes.

NoteThe old wording says "conversation." In 1611 that meant your whole way of living, not just talking.

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

13Obey the rules people make, and do it for the Lord. Obey the king, who is the highest ruler.

14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

14Obey governors too. The king sends them to punish people who do wrong. They also praise people who do right.

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

15God wants you to do good. Then foolish people will stop saying silly things about you.

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

16You are free. But do not use your freedom to hide bad things. Live as servants of God.

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

17Treat every person with respect. Love God's family. Have deep respect for God. Honor the king.

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

18Servants, obey your masters and treat them with respect. Do this even for the harsh ones, not just the kind ones.

NoteThe old wording says "froward." That meant harsh and hard to please.

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

19Sometimes people hurt you when you did nothing wrong. If you bear it because you think of God, that is good.

20For 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.

20If you do wrong and get beaten, bearing it is nothing special. But if you do good and get hurt, and you bear it, God is pleased.

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

21God called you to live this way. Christ suffered for you too. He showed you how. Now walk the way he walked.

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

22He never did anything wrong. He never told a lie.

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

23People said cruel things to him. He did not say cruel things back. When they hurt him, he did not threaten them. He trusted God, who judges fairly.

24Who 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.

24He carried our sins in his own body on the cross. Now we can stop living for sin and live the right way. His wounds made you well.

Note"The tree" means the cross. "Stripes" are the cuts left on a person's back by a whip.

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

25You were like sheep that wandered away. Now you have come back to Jesus. He is your shepherd and he watches over you.