⁹ But you are a chosen ·people [or generation; Is. 43:21], royal ·priests [^Lpriesthood], a holy nation, a people ·for God’s own possession [who belong to God; Ex. 19:5–6]. You were chosen to ·tell about the wonderful acts of God, who [proclaim the praises/virtues of him who] called you out of darkness into his ·wonderful [marvelous] light. ¹⁰ At one time you were not a people, but now you are God’s people. In the past you had ·never [^Lnot] received mercy, but now you have received God’s mercy [Hos. 2:23].

Live for God

¹¹ ·Dear friends [^LBeloved], I ·beg [urge; exhort] you as ·foreigners [strangers; sojourners; resident aliens; 1:17] and ·strangers in this world [exiles; temporary residents; refugees; foreigners; 1:1; Gen. 23:4] to ·avoid [abstain from] the ·evil things your bodies want to do [^Lfleshly/worldly desires] that fight against your soul.