13 Now (A)who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 (B)But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. (C)Have no fear of them, (D)nor be troubled, 15 but (E)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, (F)always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and (G)respect, 16 (H)having a good conscience, so that, (I)when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For (J)it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also (K)suffered[a] (L)once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, (M)that he might bring us to God, being put to death (N)in the flesh but made alive (O)in the spirit, 19 in which[b] he went and (P)proclaimed[c] to the spirits in prison, 20 because[d] they formerly did not obey, (Q)when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, (R)while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, (S)eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, (T)now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but (U)as an appeal to God for a good conscience, (V)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and (W)is at the right hand of God, (X)with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:18 Some manuscripts died
  2. 1 Peter 3:19 Or the Spirit, in whom
  3. 1 Peter 3:19 Or preached
  4. 1 Peter 3:20 Or when

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Student Study Bible, Trutone, Chestnut
ESV Student Study Bible, Trutone, Chestnut
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $28.99
Save: $16.00 (36%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The ESV New Inductive Study Bible, Milano Softone, Green
The ESV New Inductive Study Bible, Milano Softone, Green
Retail: $74.99
Our Price: $51.99
Save: $23.00 (31%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
John, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
John, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $6.99
Our Price: $4.79
Save: $2.20 (31%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Psalms, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Psalms, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $15.99
Our Price: $10.99
Save: $5.00 (31%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Chronological Bible (TruTone, Brown), Leather, imitation
ESV Chronological Bible (TruTone, Brown), Leather, imitation
Retail: $69.99
Our Price: $43.99
Save: $26.00 (37%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars