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Do good, even if you suffer for it

13-16 After all, who in the ordinary way is likely to injure you for being enthusiastic for good? And if it should happen that you suffer “for righteousness’ sake”, that is a privilege. You need neither fear their threats nor worry about them; simply concentrate on being completely devoted to Christ in your hearts. Be ready at any time to give a quiet and reverent answer to any man who wants a reason for the hope that you have within you. Make sure that your conscience is perfectly clear, so that if men should speak slanderously of you as rogues they may come to feel ashamed of themselves for libelling your good Christian behaviour.

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14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.(A) “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b](B) 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(C) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope(D) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,(E) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:14 Or fear what they fear
  2. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12