Submission of Slaves to Masters

18 Household slaves, submit to your masters(A) with all reverence(B) not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.(C) 19 For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,(D) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered(E) for you, leaving you an example,(F) that you should follow(G) in his steps. 22 He did not commit sin,(H) and no deceit(I) was found in his mouth;[a](J) 23 when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges(K) justly. 24 He himself bore our sins(L) in his body(M) on the tree;(N) so that, having died to sins,(O) we might live for righteousness.(P) By his wounds[b](Q) you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray,[c](R) but you have now returned to the Shepherd(S) and Overseer[d] of your souls.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:22 Is 53:9
  2. 2:24 Is 53:5
  3. 2:25 Is 53:6
  4. 2:25 Or Guardian

The Example of Christ’s Suffering

18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect,[a] 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.(A) 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.(B)

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.(C) 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,[b] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds[c] you have been healed.(D) 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.[d](E)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.18 Or fear
  2. 2.24 Or carried up our sins in his body to the tree
  3. 2.24 Gk bruise
  4. 2.25 Or lives