1 Peter 3:15-17

New Catholic Bible

¹⁵ Rather, revere Christ as Lord in your hearts.

Always be prepared to offer an explanation to anyone who asks you to justify the hope that is in you. However, do so with gentleness and respect ¹⁶ and with a clean conscience so that those who slander you for your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing what is right, if such is the will of God, than for doing what is wrong.