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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 devoted to doing what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. “Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset. 15 Instead, exalt[a] the Messiah”[b] as Lord in your lives.[c] Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have. 16 But do this[d] gently and respectfully, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak evil of your good conduct in the Messiah[e] will be ashamed of slandering you. 17 After all, if it is the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:15 Or set apart
  2. 1 Peter 3:15 Or Christ; cf. Isa 8:12
  3. 1 Peter 3:15 Lit. hearts
  4. 1 Peter 3:16 The Gk. lacks do this
  5. 1 Peter 3:16 Or Christ