
The phrase "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" is a biblical expression derived from 1 Peter 2:9 in the New Testament. It is a reference to the spiritual identity and calling of Christians, drawing from the Old Testament concept of Israel as a chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2). In Hebrew, the phrase can be translated as "אתם זרע נבחר, כהונה מלכותית, גוי קדוש". The Greek original, "ὑμεῖς δὲ γένος ἐκλεκτόν, βασιλεῦς ἱερατεύμα, ἔθνος ἅγιον", underscores the universal call to all believers, not just those of Jewish descent. This concept emphasizes the believer's identity as set apart for God's purposes, participating in the priestly role of proclaiming God's excellence (1 Peter 2:9). The phrase is central to Christian theology, particularly in discussions about the church's mission and the believer's role in the world. In Spanish, it translates to "Ustedes son un pueblo elegido, una nación santa, un sacerdocio real", and in French, "Vous êtes une race élue, un sacerdoce royal, une nation sainte".