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.

10 For,

“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.