⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(A) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(B) just as you would obey Christ.^{(C) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(D) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(E) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(F) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(G) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(H) with him.

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance^(A) from the Lord as a reward.^(B) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(C)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,^(D) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(A)

²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;^(B) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^{(C) 23} You were bought at a price;^(D) do not become slaves of human beings. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(E)

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,^(A) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.^{(B) 2} Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.^(C) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare^[a] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.^(D)

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(A) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(B) but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^{(C) 20} But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^{(D) 21} To this^(E) you were called,^(F) because Christ suffered for you,^(G) leaving you an example,^(H) that you should follow in his steps.

²³ When they hurled their insults at him,^(K) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(L) Instead, he entrusted himself^(M) to him who judges justly.^{(N) 24} “He himself bore our sins”^(O) in his body on the cross,^(P) so that we might die to sins^(Q) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”^{(R) 25} For “you were like sheep going astray,”^[b](S) but now you have returned to the Shepherd^(T) and Overseer of your souls.^(U)