^2 (A)as newborn babes, desire the pure ^(B)milk of the word, that you may grow ^[a]thereby, ³ if indeed you have ^(C)tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People^(D)

⁴ Coming to Him as to a living stone, ^(E)rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of ^(A)darkness into His marvelous light; ^10 (B)who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.