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Suffering for Righteousness

13 (A)And who is [a]there to [b]harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should (B)suffer for the sake of righteousness, (C)you [c]are blessed. (D)And do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled, 15 but [d]sanctify (E)Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready (F)to make [e]a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the (G)hope that is in you, yet (H)with gentleness and (I)fear, 16 having a (J)good conscience so that in the thing in which (K)you are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For (L)it is better, (M)if [f]God should will it so, that you suffer for doing good rather than for doing wrong.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:13 Lit the one who will harm you
  2. 1 Peter 3:13 Or do evil against you, cf. 3:9, 10, 11, 12
  3. 1 Peter 3:14 Or would be
  4. 1 Peter 3:15 Set apart
  5. 1 Peter 3:15 Or an argument, an explanation
  6. 1 Peter 3:17 Lit the will of God

13 Who will harm you if you are zealous for good? 14 But happy are you, even if you suffer because of righteousness! Don’t be terrified or upset by them. 15 Instead, regard Christ the Lord as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. 16 Yet do this with respectful humility, maintaining a good conscience. Act in this way so that those who malign your good lifestyle in Christ may be ashamed when they slander you. 17 It is better to suffer for doing good (if this could possibly be God’s will) than for doing evil.

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