Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹¹ Dearly beloveds, I beseech you: as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which fight against the soul. ¹² And see that you lead virtuous lives among the Gentiles, so that those who backbite you as evil-doers may see your good works and praise God in the day of visitation.

¹³ Submit yourselves to every human authority, for the Lord’s sake – whether it be to the king as to the chief head, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, but for the praise of those who do well. ¹⁵ For so is the will of God, so that you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men – ¹⁶ as free, and not as having freedom for a cloak of evil, but even as the servants of God.

¹⁷ Honour all people. Love brotherly fellowship. Fear God, and honour the king.