1 Peter 2:9–17

9 But you are a chosen race,e a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s possession, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, 10 who once were not a people, but now are the people of God, the ones who were not shown mercy, but now are shown mercy.f

11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires which wage war against your* soul, 12 maintaining your good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in the things in which they slander you as evildoers, by seeing your good deeds they may glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submission to Established Authority

13 Subject yourselves to every human authority for the sake of the Lord, whether to a kingg as having supreme authority, 14 or to governors as those sent out by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. 15 For the will of God is as follows: by* doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as free persons, and not using your* freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the community of believers, fear God, honor the king.h