1 Peter 2:9-25

Christian Standard Bible

⁹ But you are a chosen race,^[a][b](A) a royal priesthood,^[c](B) a holy nation,^[d](C) a people for his possession,^[e](D) so that you may proclaim the praises^[f][g](E) of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.^{(F) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy,^(G) but now you have received mercy.

A Call to Good Works

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

¹³ Submit^(N) to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor^[i] as the supreme authority^{(O) 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^(P) that you silence the ignorance^(Q) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,^(R) but as God’s slaves.^{(S) 17} Honor everyone. Love^(T) the brothers and sisters.^(U) Fear God.^(V) Honor the emperor.

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸ Household slaves, submit to your masters^(W) with all reverence^(X) not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.^{(Y) 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,^(Z) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered^(AA) for you, leaving you an example,^(AB) that you should follow^(AC) in his steps. ²² He did not commit sin,^(AD) and no deceit^(AE) was found in his mouth;^{[j](AF) 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^(AG) justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins^(AH) in his body^(AI) on the tree;^(AJ) so that, having died to sins,^(AK) we might live for righteousness.^(AL) By his wounds^[k](AM) you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray,^[l](AN) but you have now returned to the Shepherd^(AO) and Overseer^[m] of your souls.