13 Submit(A) to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor[a] as the supreme authority(B) 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will(C) that you silence the ignorance(D) of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,(E) but as God’s slaves.(F) 17 Honor everyone. Love(G) the brothers and sisters.(H) Fear God.(I) Honor the emperor.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:13 Or king

Submission to Established Authority

13 Subject yourselves to every human authority for the sake of the Lord, whether to a king[a] as having supreme authority, 14 or to governors as those sent out by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. 15 For the will of God is as follows: by[b] doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as free persons, and not using your[c] freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the community of believers, fear God, honor the king.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:13 Or “to the emperor”
  2. 1 Peter 2:15 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“doing good”) which is understood as means
  3. 1 Peter 2:16 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  4. 1 Peter 2:17 Or “the emperor”