¹² Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that ^[a]for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God ^[b]in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].

Honor Authority

¹³ Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praise and encourage those who do right. ¹⁵ For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God.