18 (A)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, (B)mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But (C)if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For (D)to this you have been called, (E)because Christ also suffered for you, (F)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 (G)He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 (H)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, (I)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 (J)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we (K)might die to sin and (L)live to righteousness. (M)By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For (N)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to (O)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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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