1 Peter 2:11-3:16

English Standard Version

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you ^(A)as sojourners and exiles ^(B)to abstain from the passions of the flesh, ^(C)which wage war against your soul. ^12 (D)Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, ^(E)they may see your good deeds and glorify God on ^(F)the day of visitation.

Submission to Authority

^13 (G)Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,^[a] whether it be to the emperor^[b] as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him ^(H)to punish those who do evil and ^(I)to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, ^(J)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ^16 (K)Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but ^(L)living as servants^[c] of God. ^17 (M)Honor everyone. ^(N)Love the brotherhood. ^(O)Fear God. Honor the emperor.

^18 (P)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, ^(Q)mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But ^(R)if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For ^(S)to this you have been called, ^(T)because Christ also suffered for you, ^(U)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ^22 (V)He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ^23 (W)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, ^(X)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ^24 (Y)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we ^(Z)might die to sin and ^(AA)live to righteousness. ^(AB)By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For ^(AC)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to ^(AD)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 Likewise, wives, ^(AE)be subject to your own husbands, so that ^(AF)even if some do not obey the word, ^(AG)they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your ^(AH)respectful and pure conduct. ^3 (AI)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be ^(AJ)the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^(AK)calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and ^(AL)do not fear anything that is frightening.

⁷ Likewise, ^(AM)husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker ^(AN)vessel, since they are heirs with you^[d] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

⁸ Finally, all of you, ^(AO)have unity of mind, sympathy, ^(AP)brotherly love, ^(AQ)a tender heart, and ^(AR)a humble mind. ^9 (AS)Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, ^(AT)bless, for ^(AU)to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. ¹⁰ For

¹³ Now ^(AW)who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ^14 (AX)But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. ^(AY)Have no fear of them, ^(AZ)nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but ^(BA)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^(BB)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 ^(BC)respect, ^16 (BD)having a good conscience, so that, ^(BE)when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.