8. and, “A stone of stumbling,and a rock of offense.”They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, to which also they were appointed.
9. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may declare the goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
10. In times past, you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. You had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11. Dearly beloved, I implore you as aliens and refugees, abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.