Readings for Lent and Easter
Suffering for Doing Right
8 Finally, all of you should ·be in agreement [be like-minded; live in harmony], ·understanding each other [sympathetic], ·loving each other as family [L showing brotherly love], being ·kind [tender; compassionate] and humble. 9 Do not ·do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult [L repay evil for evil or insult for insult]. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called [C by God] to do this so that you might ·receive [L inherit] a blessing [Luke 6:27–28]. 10 ·The Scripture says [L For],
“·A person must do these things [L The one who wants]
to ·enjoy [L love] life and have many happy days.
He must ·not say evil things [L keep his tongue from evil],
and he must ·not tell lies [L keep his lips from speaking lies].
11 He must ·stop doing [turn away from] evil and do good.
He must ·look for [seek] peace and ·work for [L pursue] it.
12 ·The Lord sees the good people [L The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous]
and ·listens to [L his ears on] their prayers.
But the [L face of the] Lord is against
those who do evil [Ps. 34:12–16; compare Rom. 12:9–17].”
13 If you are ·trying hard [eager; zealous; passionate] to do good, ·no one [L who…?] can really ·hurt [harm; do evil to; mistreat] you. 14 But even if you suffer for ·doing right [righteousness], you are blessed [Matt. 5:10].
“Don’t be afraid of ·what they fear [or their threats/intimidation];
do not ·dread those things [be disturbed/intimidated; Is. 8:12–13].”
15 But ·respect Christ as the holy Lord [L sanctify Christ as Lord; Is. 8:13] in your hearts [C that is, acknowledge his holiness and sovereignty in your life]. Always be ready to ·answer [or give a defense to] everyone who asks you to explain about the hope ·you have [L that is in you], 16 but answer in a ·gentle [humble] way and ·with respect [or with fear/reverence for God]. Keep a ·clear [good] conscience so that ·those who speak evil of [L when you are accused, those slanderers of] your good ·life [behavior; conduct] in Christ will be made ashamed. 17 It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing ·wrong [evil] if that is ·what God wants [the will of God]. 18 Christ himself suffered for sins ·once [or once for all; C only his suffering has the power to redeem others]. ·He was not guilty, but he suffered for those who are guilty [L …the righteous for the unrighteous] to bring you to God. ·His body was killed [L He was put to death in the flesh/body], but he was made alive in the ·spirit [or Spirit; C at his resurrection in a glorified body].
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