13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?x 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.y “Do not fear their threatsb; do not be frightened.”c z 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answera to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hopeb that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,c so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.d 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will,e to suffer for doing goodf than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered onceg for sins,h the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.i He was put to death in the bodyj but made alive in the Spirit.k 19 After being made alive,d he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spiritsl—20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patientlym in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.n In it only a few people, eight in all,o were savedp through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves youq also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear consciencer toward God.e It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,s 22 who has gone into heavent and is at God’s right handu—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.v