1 Peter 2:19-25

Contemporary English Version

¹⁹God will bless you, even if others treat you unfairly for being loyal to him. ²⁰You don’t gain anything by being punished for some wrong you have done. But God will bless you, if you have to suffer for doing something good. ²¹After all, God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you.

²²Christ did not sin
    or ever tell a lie.
²³Although he was abused,
    he never tried to get even.
And when he suffered,
    he made no threats.
Instead, he had faith in God,
    who judges fairly.
²⁴Christ carried the burden
    of our sins.
He was nailed to the cross,
so that we would stop sinning
    and start living right.
By his cuts and bruises
    you are healed.
²⁵You had wandered away
    like sheep.
Now you have returned
    to the one
who is your shepherd
    and protector.