1 Peter 2:13-3:12

Holman Christian Standard Bible

¹³Submit^(A) to every human authority^[a] because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor^[b] as the supreme authority^(B) ¹⁴or 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. ¹⁵For it is God’s will^(C) that you silence the ignorance^(D) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶As God’s slaves,^(E) live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.^(F) ¹⁷Honor everyone. Love^(G) the brotherhood.^(H) Fear God.^(I) Honor the Emperor.^[c]

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸Household slaves, submit with all fear^(J) to your masters,^(K) not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.^[d]^(L) ¹⁹For it brings favor^[e] if, mindful of God’s will,^[f]^[g] someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. ²⁰For what credit is there if you sin and are punished, and you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,^(M) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

²¹For you were called to this,
because Christ also suffered^(N) for you,
leaving you an example,^(O)
so that you should follow^(P) in His steps.
²²He did not commit sin,^(Q)
and no deceit^(R) was found in His mouth;^(S)^[h]
²³when He was reviled,
He did not revile in return;
when He was suffering,
He did not threaten
but entrusted Himself to the One who judges^(T) justly.
²⁴He Himself bore our sins^(U)
in His body^(V) on the tree,^(W)
so that, having died to sins,^(X)
we might live for righteousness;^(Y)
you have been healed by His wounds.^(Z)^[i]
²⁵For you were like sheep going astray,^(AA)^[j]
but you have now returned
to the Shepherd^(AB) and Guardian^[k] of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 In the same way, wives,^(AC) submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the Christian message,^(AD) they may be won over^[l]^(AE) without a message by the way their wives live^(AF) ²when they observe your pure, reverent lives.^(AG) ³Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments^[m] or fine clothes.^(AH) ⁴Instead, it should consist of what is inside^[n] the heart^(AI) with the imperishable quality of a gentle^(AJ) and quiet^(AK) spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. ⁵For in the past, the holy^(AL) women who put their hope^(AM) in God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶just as Sarah^(AN) obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and are not frightened by anything alarming.^(AO)

⁷Husbands,^(AP) in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature^[o]^(AQ) yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

⁸Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers,^[p]^(AR) and be compassionate^(AS) and humble,^[q] ⁹not paying back evil for evil^(AT) or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing,^(AU) since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

¹⁰For the^(AV) one who wants to love life
and to see good days
must keep his tongue from evil^(AW)
and his lips from speaking deceit,^(AX)
¹¹and he must turn away^(AY) from evil
and do what is good.
He must seek peace^(AZ) and pursue it,
¹²because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are open to their request.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.^[r]