⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(A) a royal priesthood,^(B) a holy nation,^(C) God’s special possession,^(D) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(E) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(F) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(G) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(H) to abstain from sinful desires,^(I) which wage war against your soul.^{(J) 12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(K) and glorify God^(L) on the day he visits us.

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:^(M) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(N) and to commend those who do right.^{(O) 15} For it is God’s will^(P) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{(Q) 16} Live as free people,^(R) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(S) live as God’s slaves.^{(T) 17} Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,^(U) fear God, honor the emperor.^(V)

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(W) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(X) but also to those who are harsh.