1 Peter 2:11-3:12

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. ²² He did not commit sin,^(W) and no deceit^(X) was found in his mouth;^{[c](Y) 23} when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges^(Z) justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins^(AA) in his body^(AB) on the tree;^(AC) so that, having died to sins,^(AD) we might live for righteousness.^(AE) By his wounds^[d](AF) you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray,^[e](AG) but you have now returned to the Shepherd^(AH) and Overseer^[f] of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 In the same way, wives,^(AI) submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word,^(AJ) they may be won over^(AK) without a word by the way their wives live^{(AL) 2} when they observe your pure, reverent lives.^{(AM) 3} Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes,^{(AN) 4} but rather what is inside the heart^[g](AO)—the imperishable quality of a gentle^(AP) and quiet^(AQ) spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For in the past, the holy^(AR) women who put their hope^(AS) in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ just as Sarah^(AT) obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.^(AU)

⁷ Husbands,^(AV) in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner,^(AW) showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

⁸ Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another,^(AX) and be compassionate^(AY) and humble,^{[h] 9} not paying back evil for evil^(AZ) or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing,^(BA) since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.