1 Peter 2:12-3:17
American Standard Version
12 having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Be subject to every [a]ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or unto governors, as sent [b]by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 as free, and not [c]using your freedom for a cloak of [d]wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18 [e]Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is [f]acceptable, if for conscience [g]toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is [h]acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [i]himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 who his own self [j]bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose [k]stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and [l]Bishop of your souls.
3 In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the [m]behavior of their wives; 2 beholding your chaste [n]behavior coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; 4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own [o]husbands: 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not [p]put in fear by any terror.
7 Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor [q]unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all likeminded, [r]compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded: 9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For,
[s]He that would love life,
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips that they speak no guile:
11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good;
Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
And his ears unto their supplication:
But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? 14 But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; 15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: 16 having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 2:13 Greek creation.
- 1 Peter 2:14 Greek through.
- 1 Peter 2:16 Greek having.
- 1 Peter 2:16 Or, malice. 1 Cor. 14:20
- 1 Peter 2:18 Greek Household-servants.
- 1 Peter 2:19 Greek grace.
- 1 Peter 2:19 Greek of.
- 1 Peter 2:20 Greek grace.
- 1 Peter 2:23 Or, his cause
- 1 Peter 2:24 Or, carried up . . . to the tree. Compare Col. 2:14; 1 Macc. 4:53 (Greek).
- 1 Peter 2:24 Greek bruise.
- 1 Peter 2:25 Or, Overseer
- 1 Peter 3:1 Or, manner of life. verse 16
- 1 Peter 3:2 Or, manner of life. verse 16
- 1 Peter 3:5 Or, husbands (as Sarah . . . ye are become), doing well, and not being afraid
- 1 Peter 3:6 Or, afraid with
- 1 Peter 3:7 Greek unto the female vessel, as weaker.
- 1 Peter 3:8 Greek sympathetic.
- 1 Peter 3:10 Ps. 34:12ff.
Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)