First Letter of Peter

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

having good behavior among the nations, so in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme;

or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well.

For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked.

For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God.

For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps,

who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth."

Who, when he was reviled, didn't revile back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously;

who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.