Logos Bible Study

1 Peter 3:12–16

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12“aFor the eyes of the 1Lord are toward the righteous,

And His ears attend to their prayer,

But the face of the 2Lord is against those who do evil.”

Suffering for Righteousness

13aAnd who is 1there to 2harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

14But even if you should asuffer for the sake of righteousness, byou 1are blessed. cAnd do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled,

15but 1sanctify aChrist as Lord in your hearts, always being ready bto make 2a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the chope that is in you, yet dwith gentleness and efear,

16having a agood conscience so that in the thing in which byou are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.

Read in Logos
1 Peter 3:15: but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…

Footnotes

  1. 1In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 34:15
  2. 2In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 34:15
  3. 1Lit the one who will harm you
  4. 2Or do evil against you, cf. 3:9, 10, 11, 12
  5. 1Or would be
  6. 1Set apart
  7. 2Or an argument, an explanation

Cross references

  1. aPs 34:15, 16
  2. aProv 16:7
  3. aMatt 5:10; 1 Pet 2:19ff; 4:15f
  4. bJames 5:11
  5. cIs 8:12f; 1 Pet 3:6
  6. a1 Pet 1:3
  7. bCol 4:6
  8. c1 Pet 1:3
  9. d2 Tim 2:25
  10. e1 Pet 1:17
  11. a1 Tim 1:5; Heb 13:18; 1 Pet 3:21
  12. b1 Pet 2:12, 15

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against

those who do what is evil.

Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.

NLTNew Living Translation

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,

and his ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face

against those who do evil.”

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

And who is the one who will harm you if you are a zealous adherent for what is good? But even if you might suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their intimidation or be disturbed, but set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you for an accounting concerning the hope that is in you. But do so with courtesy and respect, having a good conscience, so that in the things in which you are slandered, the ones who malign your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

KJV 1900King James Version

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.