Submission to Authority

13 (A)Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,[a] whether it be to the emperor[b] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him (B)to punish those who do evil and (C)to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, (D)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 (E)Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but (F)living as servants[c] of God. 17 (G)Honor everyone. (H)Love the brotherhood. (I)Fear God. Honor the emperor.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:13 Or every institution ordained for people
  2. 1 Peter 2:13 Or king; also verse 17
  3. 1 Peter 2:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface

13 For the sake of the Lord submit to every human institution. Do this whether it means submitting to the emperor as supreme ruler, 14 or to governors as those sent by the emperor. They are sent to punish those doing evil and to praise those doing good. 15 Submit to them because it’s God’s will that by doing good you will silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Do this as God’s slaves, and yet also as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil. 17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Have respectful fear of God. Honor the emperor.

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