Undeserved Suffering

¹³ Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(A) you are blessed. Do not fear them^[a](B) or be intimidated,^{[b](C) 15} but in your hearts regard^[c] Christ^[d] the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.^{(D) 16} Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,^(E) so that when you are accused,^[e] those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer^(F) for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Christian Suffering

¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.^{(A) 13} Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ,^(B) so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.^{(C) 14} If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,^(D) you are blessed, because the Spirit^(E) of glory and of God^[a] rests on you. ¹⁵ Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.^{[b] 16} But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.^{[c] 17} For the time has come for judgment^(F) to begin with God’s household,^(G) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

¹⁹ So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves^(I) to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.