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13 For the Lord’s sake be subject to every human authority,[a] whether to the emperor as supreme(A) 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16 As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.(B) 17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers.[b] Fear God. Honor the emperor.(C)

The Example of Christ’s Suffering

18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect,[c] not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. 19 For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God.(D) 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.(E)

22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.(F) 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[d] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[e] you have been healed.(G) 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.[f](H)

Wives and Husbands

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,(I) when they see the purity and respect of your conduct. Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing;(J) rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.(K) It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by being subject to their husbands. Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.(L)

Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman—though the weaker vessel,[g] they are joint heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.(M)

Suffering for Doing Right

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.(N) Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.(O)

Footnotes

  1. 2.13 Or every authority ordained for humans
  2. 2.17 Gk Love the brotherhood
  3. 2.18 Or fear
  4. 2.24 Or carried up our sins in his body to the tree
  5. 2.24 Gk bruise
  6. 2.25 Or lives
  7. 3.7 Or body

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:(A) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong(B) and to commend those who do right.(C) 15 For it is God’s will(D) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.(E) 16 Live as free people,(F) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;(G) live as God’s slaves.(H) 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,(I) fear God, honor the emperor.(J)

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,(K) not only to those who are good and considerate,(L) but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.(M) 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.(N) 21 To this(O) you were called,(P) because Christ suffered for you,(Q) leaving you an example,(R) that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,(S)
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a](T)

23 When they hurled their insults at him,(U) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.(V) Instead, he entrusted himself(W) to him who judges justly.(X) 24 “He himself bore our sins”(Y) in his body on the cross,(Z) so that we might die to sins(AA) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”(AB) 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[b](AC) but now you have returned to the Shepherd(AD) and Overseer of your souls.(AE)

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves(AF) to your own husbands(AG) so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over(AH) without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.(AI) Rather, it should be that of your inner self,(AJ) the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.(AK) For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God(AL) used to adorn themselves.(AM) They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.(AN) You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Husbands,(AO) in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

Finally, all of you, be like-minded,(AP) be sympathetic, love one another,(AQ) be compassionate and humble.(AR) Do not repay evil with evil(AS) or insult with insult.(AT) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,(AU) because to this(AV) you were called(AW) so that you may inherit a blessing.(AX)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
  2. 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)