1 Peter 3:15–16

3:15 But set Christ24 apart25 as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.26 3:16 Yet do it with courtesy and respect,27 keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.28

24	tc Most later mss (P 𝔐) have θεόν (theon, “God”) instead of Χριστόν (Christon; “Christ”) here. But Χριστόν is widely supported by excellent and early witnesses (𝔓72 א A B C Ψ 33 1739 al latt sy co), and as a less common idiom better explains the rise of the other reading.
25	tn Or “sanctify Christ as Lord.”
26	tn Grk “the hope in you.”
27	tn Grk “but with courtesy and respect,” continuing the command of v. 15. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
28	tn Grk “when you are spoken against.”