1 Peter 2:13-3:7

English Standard Version

Submission to Authority

^13 (A)Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,^[a] whether it be to the emperor^[b] as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him ^(B)to punish those who do evil and ^(C)to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, ^(D)that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ^16 (E)Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but ^(F)living as servants^[c] of God. ^17 (G)Honor everyone. ^(H)Love the brotherhood. ^(I)Fear God. Honor the emperor.

^18 (J)Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. ¹⁹ For this is a gracious thing, when, ^(K)mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But ^(L)if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. ²¹ For ^(M)to this you have been called, ^(N)because Christ also suffered for you, ^(O)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ^22 (P)He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ^23 (Q)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, ^(R)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ^24 (S)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we ^(T)might die to sin and ^(U)live to righteousness. ^(V)By his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For ^(W)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to ^(X)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

3 Likewise, wives, ^(Y)be subject to your own husbands, so that ^(Z)even if some do not obey the word, ^(AA)they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your ^(AB)respectful and pure conduct. ^3 (AC)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be ^(AD)the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^(AE)calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and ^(AF)do not fear anything that is frightening.

⁷ Likewise, ^(AG)husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker ^(AH)vessel, since they are heirs with you^[d] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.