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13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right,[a] you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear,[b] and do not be intimidated,(A) 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you,(B) 16 yet do it with gentleness and respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned,[c] those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.(C) 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.

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Footnotes

  1. 3.14 Or for righteousness’ sake
  2. 3.14 Gk their fear
  3. 3.16 Other ancient authorities read when they malign you as evildoers

13 (A)And who is [a]there to 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 [b]are blessed. (D)And do not fear their [c]intimidation, and do not be in dread, 15 but [d]sanctify (E)Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready (F)to make a [e]defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the (G)hope that is in you, but (H)with gentleness and (I)respect; 16 [f]and keep a (J)good conscience so that in the thing in which (K)you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For (L)it is better, (M)if [g]God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:13 Lit the one who will harm you
  2. 1 Peter 3:14 Or would be
  3. 1 Peter 3:14 Lit fear
  4. 1 Peter 3:15 I.e., set apart
  5. 1 Peter 3:15 Or argument; or explanation
  6. 1 Peter 3:16 Lit having a good
  7. 1 Peter 3:17 Lit the will of God