And so came all these things to be, saith the

Lord.

But in this man will I dwell,

Even in him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, And that honoureth my word.

For I dwell in the high and lofty place,

In him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.

For know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? Yea, ye are the temple of the living God; and are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Laying aside therefore all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, come unto God, as unto a living Stone, that ye also, as living stones, may be built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God.

I PETER II, III, IV

I beseech you, as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshy lusts, which war against the soul; having your behaviour seemly in the world: that, wherein they speak against you, they may by your good manner of life, which they behold, glorify God. Wherefore let your adorning not be the outward adorning of wearing jewels of

gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, even the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner did they also aforetime, who hoped in God, adorn themselves: whose children ye now are, if ye do well.

Be ye therefore all of one mind, having compassion one on another, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded: not rendering evil for evil, reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; knowing that hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For it is writ

ten:

He that would love life,

And see good days,

Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips that they speak no guile :
Let him eschew evil, and do good;
Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

Finally, be ye all of sound mind, and watch unto prayer: above all things, being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: using hospitality one to another without murmuring: according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified.

I PETER II, III, IV

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. But let none of you suffer as an evil-doer: but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.

For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. But what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered before you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed his cause to him that judgeth righteously. Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

Sanctify therefore the Lord God in your hearts: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and

fear: having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be ashamed who revile your good manner of life in Christ. For so

is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom as a cloak of wickedness, but as servants of God.

THE SECOND EPISTLE

OF PETER

II PETER I

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us: Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue. And he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature.

Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control; and in your self-control, stedfastness; and in your stedfastness, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. Wherefore give the more diligence to make your