1 Peter 3:8-17
Suffering for Doing Good
3:8 Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble.
3:9 Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.
3:10 For
the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.
3:11 And he must turn away from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil.
3:13 For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?
3:14 But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.
3:15 But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.
3:16 Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.
3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.