1 Peter 2:11-21

Christian Standard Bible

A Call to Good Works

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles^(A) to abstain^(B) from sinful^(C) desires that wage war against the soul.^{(D) 12} Conduct^(E) yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,^[a] so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.^(F)

¹³ Submit^(G) to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor^[b] as the supreme authority^{(H) 14} or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will^(I) that you silence the ignorance^(J) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,^(K) but as God’s slaves.^{(L) 17} Honor everyone. Love^(M) the brothers and sisters.^(N) Fear God.^(O) Honor the emperor.

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸ Household slaves, submit to your masters^(P) with all reverence^(Q) not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.^{(R) 19} For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,^(S) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered^(T) for you, leaving you an example,^(U) that you should follow^(V) in his steps.