Sunday, January 21, 2007

Spiritual Famine

1 Therefore, (A) putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all (B) slander, 2 (C) like newborn babies, long for the (D) pure milk of the word, so that by it you may (E) grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have (F) tasted (G) the kindness of the LORD.

4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been (H) rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 (I) you also, as living stones, are being built up as a (J) spiritual house for a holy (K) priesthood, to (L) offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For this is contained in Scripture: "(M) Behold, I lay in Zion a choice Stone, a (N) precious Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed."

7 (O) This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "(P) the Stone which the builders rejected (Q), this became the very Cornerstone," 8 and, "(R) a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense"; (S) for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, (T) and to this doom they were also appointed.

9 But you are (U) a chosen race, A royal (V) priesthood, a (W) holy nation, (X) a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you (Y) out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 (Z) for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not receive mercy, but now you have received mercy.

-1 Peter 2:1-10