¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(A) “Do not fear their threats^[a]; do not be frightened.”^{[b](B) 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(C) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(D) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(E) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^(F)

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(A) being watchful and thankful.

³ At one time^(A) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness^(B) and love of God our Savior^(C) appeared,^{(D) 5} he saved us,^(E) not because of righteous things we had done,^(F) but because of his mercy.^(G) He saved us through the washing^(H) of rebirth and renewal^(I) by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us^(J) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace,^(K) we might become heirs^(L) having the hope^(M) of eternal life.^(N)

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly^(A) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(B) the new creation^(C) has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!^{(D) 18} All this is from God,^(E) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(F) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.^(G) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,^(H) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(I) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.^{(J) 21} God made him who had no sin^(K) to be sin^[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.^(L)