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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 For[a] who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14 But in fact, if you happen to suffer[b] for doing what is right,[c] you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them[d] or be shaken.[e] 15 But set Christ[f] apart[g] as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.[h] 16 Yet do it with courtesy and respect,[i] keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.[j] 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it,[k] than for doing evil.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “For” to indicate that what follows gives an explanation.
  2. 1 Peter 3:14 sn The Greek construction here implies that such suffering was not the norm, even though it could happen, and in fact may well have happened to some of the readers (cf. 4:4, 12-19).
  3. 1 Peter 3:14 tn Grk “because of righteousness.”
  4. 1 Peter 3:14 tn Grk “do not fear their fear,” referring to those who cause their suffering. The phrase “their fear” may mean “what they fear” (subjective genitive), but in a situation of persecution it more likely means “fear of them” (objective genitive).
  5. 1 Peter 3:14 sn A quotation from Isa 8:12.
  6. 1 Peter 3:15 tc Most later mss, including some significant ones (P 5 81 436 442 1735 2344 2492 M) have θεόν (theon, “God”) instead of Χριστόν (Christon; “Christ”) here. But Χριστόν is widely supported by excellent and early witnesses (P72 א A B C Ψ 33 1175 1243 1611 1739 1852 latt sy co), and as a less common idiom better explains the rise of the other reading.
  7. 1 Peter 3:15 tn Or “sanctify Christ as Lord.”
  8. 1 Peter 3:15 tn Grk “the hope in you.”
  9. 1 Peter 3:16 tn Grk “but with courtesy and respect,” continuing the command of v. 15. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  10. 1 Peter 3:16 tn Grk “when you are spoken against.”
  11. 1 Peter 3:17 tn Grk “if the will of God should will it.” As in 3:14 the Greek construction here implies that suffering for doing good was not what God normally willed, even though it could happen, and in fact may have happened to some of the readers (cf. 4:4, 12-19).