⁹ The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her.”

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger must be subject to the elders.^[a] And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.

The Example of Christ’s Suffering

¹⁸ Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect,^[a] not only those who are good and gentle but also those who are dishonest. ¹⁹ For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God.^{(A) 21} For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.^(B)

²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.^{(C) 24} He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,^[b] so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds^[c] you have been healed.^{(D) 25} For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.^[d](E)

⁹ Urge slaves to be submissive to their masters in everything, to be pleasing, not talking back,^(A)

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^[a] and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ,^{(A) 6} not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul.