1 Peter 2:11-3:7

Tree of Life Version

¹¹ Loved ones, I urge you as strangers and sojourners to keep away from the fleshly cravings that war against the soul. ¹² Keep your conduct honorable among the Gentiles. Then while they speak against you as evildoers, they may—from noticing your good deeds—glorify God in the day of visitation.

Respect and Order

¹³ For the Lord’s sake, submit yourselves to every human authority—whether to a king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors sent by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is God’s will, that you silence the ignorance of foolish men by doing good. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Rather, live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

¹⁸ Slaves, with all respect submit yourselves to your masters—not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For this finds favor if, for the sake of conscience toward God, someone endures grief from suffering undeservedly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if, when you sin and get a beating, you endure? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this finds favor with God. ²¹ For you were called to this, because Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in His footsteps:

²² “He committed no sin,

nor was any deceit found in His mouth.”^[a]

²³ When He was abused, He did not return the abuse.^[b] While suffering, He made no threats. Instead, He kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges righteously. ²⁴ He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we, removed from sins, might live for righteousness. “By His wounds you were healed.”^[c]

²⁵ For you like sheep were going astray,^[d]

but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

3 Likewise, wives, be submitted to your own husbands so that—even if some do not obey the message—by the wives’ conduct, without a word they may be won over ² as they observe your pure, reverent conduct. ^{[e] 3} Don’t let your beauty^[f] be external—braiding the hair and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. ^{[g] 4} Instead let it be in the hidden person of the heart, with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is the way the holy women, who put their hope in God, used to beautify themselves long ago—being submitted to their own husbands ⁶ just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.^[h] You have become her daughters by doing what is good and not fearing intimidation. ⁷ In the same way, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way. Though they are weaker partners, honor them as equal heirs of the grace of life. In this way, your prayers will not be hindered.