Readings for Lent and Easter
General Exhortations
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another. Show sympathy, brotherly love, compassion, and humility.[a] 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. Instead, speak a blessing, because you were called for the purpose of inheriting a blessing. 10 Indeed:
Let the one who wants to love life
and to see good days
keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from saying anything deceitful.
11 Let him turn from evil and do what is good.
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their requests.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.[b]
Suffering for Doing Good
13 Who will harm you if you are eager to do[c] what is good? 14 But even if you should happen to suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear,[d] and do not be troubled. 15 But regard the Lord, the Christ,[e] as holy in your hearts.[f] Always be prepared to give an answer[g] to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.[h]
The Suffering and Exaltation of Christ
17 Indeed, it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, 18 because Christ also suffered once for sins in our place,[i] the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you[j] to God. He was put to death in flesh[k] but was made alive in spirit,[l]
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.