1 Peter 2:12-19

English Standard Version

^12 (A)Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, ^(B)they may see your good deeds and glorify God on ^(C)the day of visitation.

Submission to Authority

^13 (D)Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,^[a] whether it be to the emperor^[b] as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him ^(E)to punish those who do evil and ^(F)to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, ^(G)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ^16 (H)Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but ^(I)living as servants^[c] of God. ^17 (J)Honor everyone. ^(K)Love the brotherhood. ^(L)Fear God. Honor the emperor.

^18 (M)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, ^(N)mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.