¹⁰ “Blessed are those who have been ^(A)persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for ^(B)theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹⁹ For this finds ^[a]favor, if for the sake of ^(A)conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows 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 ^[b]favor with God.

Christ Is Our Example

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

¹⁵ Make sure that ^(A)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a ^[a](B)troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a ^(C)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^(D)glorify God in this name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(E)to begin ^[b]with ^(F)the household of God; and if it ^(G)begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those ^(H)who do not obey the ^(I)gospel of God? ^18 (J)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, ^[c]what will become of the ^(K)godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to ^(L)the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.