15 But [a]sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, [b]and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and reverence.

16 Having a good conscience, that when they speak evil of you as of evil doers, they may be ashamed which slander your good conversation in Christ.

17 [c]For it is better (if the will of God be so) that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:15 Give him all praise and glory, and hang only on him.
  2. 1 Peter 3:15 He will have us when we are afflicted for righteousness’ sake, to be careful not for redeeming of our life, either with denying, or renouncing the truth, or with like violence, or any such means: but rather to give an account of our faith boldly, and yet with a meek spirit, and full to godly reverence, that the enemies may not have anything justly to object, but may rather be ashamed of themselves.
  3. 1 Peter 3:17 A reason which standeth upon two general rules of Christianity, which notwithstanding all men allow not of. The one is, if we must needs suffer afflictions, it is better to suffer wrongfully than rightfully: the other is this, because we are so afflicted, not by hap, but by the will of our God.

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