# You also are ... being built up to be a spiritual house Just as people used stones to build the temple in the Old Testament, believers are the materials that God is using to build a house in which he will live. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]]) # You also are like living stones Peter compares his readers to stones that are alive. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile]]) # that are being built up to be a spiritual house This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that God is building into a spiritual house" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]]) # a holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices Here the position of priesthood stands for the priests who fulfill its duties. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])