1 Peter 2:11-3:7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Live as Servants of God
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.[a](A) 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.[b](B)
13 For the Lord’s sake be subject to every human authority,[c] whether to the emperor as supreme(C) 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.(D) 17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers.[d] Fear God. Honor the emperor.(E)
The Example of Christ’s Suffering
18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect,[e] not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. 19 For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God.(F) 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.(G)
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.(H) 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[f] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[g] you have been healed.(I) 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.[h](J)
Wives and Husbands
3 Wives, in the same way, be subject to your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct,(K) 2 when they see the purity and respect of your conduct. 3 Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing;(L) 4 rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.(M) 5 It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by being subject to their husbands. 6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.(N)
7 Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman—though the weaker vessel,[i] they are joint heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.(O)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.