¹⁵ but ^(A)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^(B)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 ^(C)respect,

⁶ Let your speech always ^(A)be gracious, ^(B)seasoned with salt, ^(C)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

²⁵ correcting his opponents ^(A)with gentleness. God ^(B)may perhaps grant them repentance ^(C)leading to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from ^(D)the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

¹⁴ Settle it therefore in your minds ^(A)not to meditate beforehand how to answer, ¹⁵ for ^(B)I will give you a mouth and ^(C)wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or ^(D)contradict.

² when they see your ^(A)respectful and pure conduct.

^18 (A)and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, ^(B)to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. ^19 (C)When ^(D)they deliver you over, ^(E)do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for ^(F)what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. ^20 (G)For it is not you who speak, but ^(H)the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

⁷ Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your fathers.

^2 (A)in hope of eternal life, which God, ^(B)who never lies, ^(C)promised ^(D)before the ages began^[a]

^27 (A)To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are ^(B)the riches of the glory of ^(C)this mystery, which is Christ in you, ^(D)the hope of glory.