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Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-25
11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles(A) to abstain(B) from sinful(C) desires that wage war against the soul.(D) 12 Conduct(E) yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,[a] so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.(F)
13 Submit(G) to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor[b] as the supreme authority(H) 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. 15 For it is God’s will(I) that you silence the ignorance(J) of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,(K) but as God’s slaves.(L) 17 Honor everyone. Love(M) the brothers and sisters.(N) Fear God.(O) Honor the emperor.
18 Household slaves, submit to your masters(P) with all reverence(Q) not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.(R) 19 For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,(S) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.
21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered(T) for you, leaving you an example,(U) that you should follow(V) in his steps. 22 He did not commit sin,(W) and no deceit(X) was found in his mouth;[c](Y) 23 when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges(Z) justly. 24 He himself bore our sins(AA) in his body(AB) on the tree;(AC) so that, having died to sins,(AD) we might live for righteousness.(AE) By his wounds[d](AF) you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray,[e](AG) but you have now returned to the Shepherd(AH) and Overseer[f] of your souls.
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