1 Peter 2:11–3:17
11 aBeloved, bI urge you as caliens and strangers to abstain from dfleshly lusts which wage ewar against the soul.
12 aKeep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they bslander you as evildoers, they may 1because of your good deeds, as they observe them, cglorify God din the day of 2visitation.
13 aSubmit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
14 or to governors as sent 1by him afor the punishment of evildoers and the bpraise of those who do right.
15 For 1asuch is the will of God that by doing right you may bsilence the ignorance of foolish men.
16 Act as afree men, and 1do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bbondslaves of God.
17 aHonor all people, blove the brotherhood, cfear God, dhonor the 1king.
18 aServants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and bgentle, but also to those who are 1unreasonable.
19 For this finds 1favor, if for the sake of aconscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if awhen you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds 1favor with God.
21 For ayou have been called for this purpose, bsince Christ also suffered for you, leaving you can example for you to follow in His steps,
22 who acommitted no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
23 1and while being areviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 and He Himself 1abore our sins in His body on the 2bcross, so that we cmight die to 3sin and live to righteousness; for dby His 4wounds you were ehealed.
25 For you were acontinually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the bShepherd and 1Guardian of your souls.
1 aIn the same way, you wives, bbe submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be cwon without a word by the behavior of their wives,
2 as they observe your chaste and 1respectful behavior.
3 aYour adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;
4 but let it be athe hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, awho hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;
6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, acalling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right 1bwithout being frightened by any fear.
7 aYou husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with 1bsomeone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
8 1To sum up, aall of you be harmonious, sympathetic, bbrotherly, ckindhearted, and dhumble in spirit;
9 anot returning evil for evil or binsult for insult, but 1giving a cblessing instead; for dyou were called for the very purpose that you might einherit a blessing.
“aThe one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 “aHe must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 “aFor the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 aWho is 1there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should asuffer for the sake of righteousness, byou 1are blessed. cAnd do not fear their 2intimidation, and do not be troubled,
15 but 1sanctify aChrist as Lord in your hearts, always being ready bto make a 2defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the ahope that is in you, yet cwith gentleness and 3dreverence;
16 1and keep a agood conscience so that in the thing in which byou are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For ait is better, bif 1God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.