Put away malice and deceit,

Hypocrisy and all slander;

Being envious can defeat,

From looking at things with candor.

As newborn babes do desire,

Longing for pure spiritual milk;

For the growth you may acquire,

With salvation as smooth as silk.

You tasted that the Lord is good,

Experiencing so gracious;

Conforming us to adulthood,

As spiritually veracious.

A living stone refused by men,

But in sight of God selected;

So precious for what will happen,

Did as the Father directed.

You are living stones being built,

As part of a spiritual house;

A holy priesthood free from guilt,

Preparing for Christ and His spouse.

For I am laying as a stone,

As God’s chosen and so precious;

With Jesus as a cornerstone,

In which makes God victorious.

Whoever believes has no shame,

As to honor who will believe;

Rejected for what you proclaim,

By many others who deceive.

A stumbling stone as an offense,

They stumble as they disobey;

Destined to have a consequence,

As they travel the curved pathway.

But we are as the chosen race,

Priesthood of a holy nation;

That the Father has shed His grace,

For giving all us salvation.

Keep your conduct honorable,

As they are speaking against you;

That your deeds are admirable,

Glorifying God what is true.

Copyright © 2019 Richard Newton Sherrer