Peter Disowns Jesus^(A)

⁶⁶ While Peter was below in the courtyard,^(B) one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself,^(C) she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,”^(D) she said.

⁶⁸ But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,”^(E) he said, and went out into the entryway.^[a]

⁶⁹ When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” ⁷⁰ Again he denied it.^(F)

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”^(G)

⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”^(H)

⁷² Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.^[b] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice^[c] you will disown me three times.”^(I) And he broke down and wept.

Suffering for Doing Good

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded,^(A) be sympathetic, love one another,^(B) be compassionate and humble.^{(C) 9} Do not repay evil with evil^(D) or insult with insult.^(E) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^(F) because to this^(G) you were called^(H) so that you may inherit a blessing.^{(I) 10} For,

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{(K) 14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(L) “Do not fear their threats^[b]; do not be frightened.”^{[c](M) 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(N) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(O) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(P) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^{(Q) 17} For it is better, if it is God’s will,^(R) to suffer for doing good^(S) than for doing evil.