9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people forGod’sown possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Ex 19:5, 6] 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. [Hos 2:23]