¹¹ Now these people were more noble-minded than those in ^(A)Thessalonica, ^[a]for they received the word with ^[b]great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

^17 (A)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for ^(B)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not ^[a]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

Godly Living

3 ^(A)Remind them ^(B)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ^(C)ready for every good deed,

¹⁹ For this finds favor, if for the sake of ^(A)conscience toward God a person endures ^[a]grief when suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if ^(B)when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

Christ Is Our Example

²¹ For ^(C)you have been called for this purpose, ^(D)because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you ^(E)an example, so that you would follow in His steps, ²² He who ^(F)committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; ^23 [b]and while being ^(G)abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ and He Himself ^[c](H)brought our sins in His body up on the ^[d](I)cross, so that we ^(J)might die to ^[e]sin and live for righteousness; ^(K)by His ^[f]wounds you were ^(L)healed. ²⁵ For you were ^(M)continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the ^(N)Shepherd and ^[g]Guardian of your souls.

^5 (A)You ^[a]younger men, likewise, ^(B)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with ^(C)humility toward one another, because ^(D)God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Therefore ^(E)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ having cast all your ^(F)anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.