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10 For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life
    and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
    and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
    against those who do evil.”[a]

Suffering for Doing Good

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[b] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:10-12 Ps 34:12-16.
  2. 3:16 Some English translations put this sentence in verse 15.

10 For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a](A)

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?(B) 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.(C) “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c](D) 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(E) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope(F) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,(G) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
  2. 1 Peter 3:14 Or fear what they fear
  3. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12