Readings for Lent and Easter
When You are Wronged
8 Finally, all of you must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, and be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
10 “For the person who wants to love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 He must turn away from evil and do good.
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the Lord[a] watches the righteous,[b]
and he pays attention to their prayers.[c]
But the Lord[d] opposes those[e] who do wrong.”[f]
13 Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. “Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset. 15 Instead, exalt[g] the Messiah”[h] as Lord in your lives.[i] Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have. 16 But do this[j] gently and respectfully, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak evil of your good conduct in the Messiah[k] will be ashamed of slandering you. 17 After all, if it is the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
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