⁷ He is indeed precious for you believers. But when people don’t believe, “the stone which the builders rejected has become the head cornerstone,” ⁸ and “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble as they disobey the word, which indeed was their destiny. ⁹ But you are a “chosen race; a royal priesthood”; a holy nation; a people for God’s possession. Your purpose is to announce the virtuous deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light.