³³ But ^[a]seek first ^[b]His kingdom and His righteousness, and ^(A)all these things will be ^[c]provided to you.

³⁴ “So do not ^(B)worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will ^[d]worry about itself. ^[e]Each day has enough trouble of its own.

²⁸ And we know that ^[a]God ^[b]causes ^(A)all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are ^(B)called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He ^(C)foreknew, He also ^(D)predestined to become ^(E)conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the ^(F)firstborn among many brothers and sisters;

¹² I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going ^(A)hungry, both of having abundance and ^(B)suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things ^[a]through Him who ^(C)strengthens me.

^12 (A)Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they ^(B)slander you as evildoers, they may ^[a]because of your good deeds, as they observe them, ^(C)glorify God ^(D)on the day of ^[b]visitation.

Honor Authority

^13 (E)Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent ^[c]by him ^(F)for the punishment of evildoers and the ^(G)praise of those who do right. ¹⁵ For ^[d](H)such is the will of God, that by doing right you ^(I)silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶ Act as ^(J)free people, and ^[e]do not use your freedom as a ^[f]covering for evil, but use it as ^(K)bond-servants of God. ^17 (L)Honor all people, ^(M)love the brotherhood, ^(N)fear God, ^(O)honor the ^[g]king.

^18 (P)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and ^(Q)gentle, but also to those who are ^[h]harsh. ¹⁹ For this finds favor, if for the sake of ^(R)conscience toward God a person endures ^[i]grief when suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if ^(S)when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

Christ Is Our Example

²¹ For ^(T)you have been called for this purpose, ^(U)because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you ^(V)an example, so that you would follow in His steps, ²² He who ^(W)committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; ^23 [j]and while being ^(X)abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ and He Himself ^[k](Y)brought our sins in His body up on the ^[l](Z)cross, so that we ^(AA)might die to ^[m]sin and live for righteousness; ^(AB)by His ^[n]wounds you were ^(AC)healed. ²⁵ For you were ^(AD)continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the ^(AE)Shepherd and ^[o]Guardian of your souls.

4 Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, ^(A)knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

⁸ The one who does not love does not know God, because ^(A)God is love.

¹⁶ “For God so ^(A)loved the world, that He ^(B)gave His ^(C)only Son, so that everyone who ^(D)believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ^(B)according to His great mercy ^(C)has caused us to be born again to ^(D)a living hope through the ^(E)resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an ^(F)inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and ^(G)will not fade away, ^(H)reserved in heaven for you,