1 Peter 3:8-16

New King James Version

Called to Blessing

⁸Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be ^[a]courteous; ⁹^(A)not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary ^(B)blessing, knowing that you were called to this, ^(C)that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰For

^(D)“He who would love life
And see good days,
^(E)Let him ^[b]refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
¹¹Let him ^(F)turn away from evil and do good;
^(G)Let him seek peace and pursue it.
¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
^(H)And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Suffering for Right and Wrong

¹³^(I)And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? ¹⁴^(J)But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ^(K)“And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” ¹⁵But ^[c]sanctify ^[d]the Lord God in your hearts, and always ^(L)be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the ^(M)hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶^(N)having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.