12 ^kKeep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, ^lthey may see your good deeds and glorify God on ^mthe day of visitation.

Submission to Authority

13 ⁿBe subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution,¹ whether it be to the emperor² as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him ^oto punish those who do evil and ^pto praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, ^qthat by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 ^rLive as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but ^sliving as servants³ of God. 17 ^tHonor everyone. ^uLove the brotherhood. ^vFear God. Honor the emperor.

13 Now ^cwho is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 ^dBut even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. ^eHave no fear of them, ^fnor be troubled, 15 but ^gin your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^halways being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and ⁱrespect, 16 ^jhaving a good conscience, so that, ^kwhen you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For ^lit is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Stewards of God’s Grace

1 Since therefore ^zChrist suffered in the flesh,^{1 a}arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for ^bwhoever has suffered in the flesh ^chas ceased from sin, 2 ^dso as to live for ^ethe rest of the time in the flesh ^fno longer for human passions but ^gfor the will of God. 3 For the time that is past ^hsuffices ⁱfor doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of ^jdebauchery, and ^kthey malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready ^lto judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why ^mthe gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 ⁿThe end of all things is at hand; therefore ^obe self-controlled and sober-minded ^pfor the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since ^qlove covers a multitude of sins. 9 ^rShow hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 ^sAs each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, ^tas good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks ^uoracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ^vby the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything ^wGod may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ^xTo him belong glory and ^ydominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at ^zthe fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice ^ainsofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ^bwhen his glory is revealed. 14 ^cIf you are insulted ^dfor the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory² and of God rests upon you. 15 But ^elet none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or ^fas a meddler. 16 Yet ^eif anyone suffers as a ^gChristian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God ^din that name. 17 For it is time for judgment ^hto begin at the household of God; and ⁱif it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who ^jdo not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will ^lentrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.