¹² so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one.^(A)

⁵ Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.^[a](A)

¹² Conduct yourselves honorably among the gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.^[a](A)

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.^(A)

⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.^(A)

¹³ let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.^(A)

¹⁶ yet do it with gentleness and respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned,^[a] those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.^{(A) 17} For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.

¹¹ And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret^[a] of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything comes in parables,^(A)

Wives and Husbands

3 Wives, in the same way, be subject to your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct,^(A)

⁸ and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.^(A)

⁹ Urge slaves to be submissive to their masters in everything, to be pleasing, not talking back,^{(B) 10} not stealing, but showing complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the teaching of God our Savior.