^18 (A)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and ^(B)gentle, but also to those who are ^[a]harsh. ¹⁹ For this finds favor, if for the sake of ^(C)conscience toward God a person endures ^[b]grief when suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if ^(D)when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

Christ Is Our Example

²¹ For ^(E)you have been called for this purpose, ^(F)because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you ^(G)an example, so that you would follow in His steps, ²² He who ^(H)committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; ^23 [c]and while being ^(I)abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Slaves and Masters

^5 (A)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your ^[a]masters according to the flesh, with ^(B)fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, ^(C)as to Christ; ^6 (D)not ^[b]by way of ^[c]eye-service, as ^(E)people-pleasers, but as ^(F)slaves of Christ, ^(G)doing the will of God from the ^[d]heart. ⁷ With goodwill ^[e]render service, ^(H)as to the Lord, and not to people, ^8 (I)knowing that ^(J)whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, ^(K)whether slave or free.

⁹ And masters, do the same things to them, and ^(L)give up threatening, knowing that ^(M)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is ^(N)no partiality with Him.

^22 [a](A)Slaves, obey those who are your ^[b]human masters in everything, ^(B)not with ^[c]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, do your work ^[d]heartily, ^(C)as for the Lord and not for people, ^24 (D)knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward ^[e]of ^(E)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you ^(F)serve. ²⁵ For ^(G)the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and ^[f](H)that without partiality.

4 Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, ^(I)knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.