9 But you are ^ga chosen race, ^ha royal priesthood, a holy nation, ⁱa people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you ^jout of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 ^kOnce you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as ^lsojourners and ^mexiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, ⁿwhich wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and ^oglorify God on the day of visitation.

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