1 Peter 2:13–3:7

13  Be in subjection therefore to every human institution for the Lord’s sake; whether to the king as supreme, 14  or to rulers as sent by him, for vengeance on evildoers, and praise to them that do well. 15  Because so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye put to silence the ignorance of senseless men; 16  as free, and not as having liberty as a cloak of malice, but as God’s bondmen. 17  Shew honour to all, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king. 18  Servants, be subject with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the ill-tempered. 19  For this is acceptable, if one, for conscience sake towards God, endure griefs, suffering unjustly. 20  For what glory is it, if sinning and being buffeted ye shall bear it? but if, doing good and suffering, ye shall bear it, this is acceptable with God. 21  For to this have ye been called; for Christ also has suffered for you, leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps: 22  who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; 23  who, when reviled, reviled not again; when suffering, threatened not; but gave himself over into the hands of him who judges righteously; 24  who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, in order that, being dead to sins, we may live to righteousness: by whose stripes ye have been healed. 25  For ye were going astray as sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.

Chapter 3

1  Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, that, even if any are disobedient to the word, they may be gained without the word by the conversation of the wives, 2  having witnessed your pure conversation carried out in fear; 3  whose adorning let it not be that outward one of tressing of hair, and wearing gold, or putting on apparel; 4  but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. 5  For thus also the holy women who have hoped in God heretofore adorned themselves, being subject to their own husbands; 6  as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose children ye have become, doing good, and not fearing with any kind of consternation. 7  Ye husbands likewise, dwell with them according to knowledge, as with a weaker, even the female, vessel, giving them honour, as also fellow-heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.