1 Peter 3:13-22

Christian Standard Bible

Undeserved Suffering

¹³ Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(A) you are blessed. Do not fear them^[a](B) or be intimidated,^{[b](C) 15} but in your hearts regard^[c] Christ^[d] the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.^{(D) 16} Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,^(E) so that when you are accused,^[e] those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer^(F) for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered^(G) for sins once for all,^(H) the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.^(I) He was put to death in the flesh^[f](J) but made alive by the Spirit,^{[g] 19} in which^[h] he also went and made proclamation to the spirits^(K) in prison ²⁰ who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah^(L) while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people^[i](M)—were saved through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body,^(N) but the pledge^[j] of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(O) 22} who has gone into heaven^(P) and is at the right hand of God^(Q) with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.^(R)