8 They disobeyed the message and stumbled and fell over this stone, because they were doomed.
9 But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things he has done. The Scriptures say,
10 “Once you were nobody.Now you are God's people.At one time no onehad mercy on you.Now God has treated youwith kindness.”
11 Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you.
12 Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do.
13 The Lord wants you to obey all human authorities, especially the Emperor, who rules over everyone.
14 You must also obey governors, because they are sent by the Emperor to punish criminals and to praise good citizens.