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.