Slaves of God
I appeal to you, my friends, as strangers and refugees in this world! Do not give in to bodily passions,
which are always at war against the soul. Your conduct among the heathen should be so good that
when they accuse you of being evildoers, they will have to recognize your good deeds and so praise
God on the Day of his coming. For the sake of the Lord submit yourselves to every human authority:
to the Emperor, who is the supreme authority, and to the governors, who have been appointed by him
to punish the evildoers and to praise those who do good. For God wants you to silence the ignorant
talk of foolish people by the good things you do. Live as free people; do not, however, use your
freedom to cover up any evil, but live as God's slaves. Respect everyone, love other believers, honor
God, and respect the Emperor. The Example of Christ's Suffering You servants must submit
yourselves to your masters and show them complete respect, not only to those who are kind and
considerate, but also to those who are harsh. God will bless you for this, if you endure the pain of
undeserved suffering because you are conscious of his will. For what credit is there if you endure the
beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done
right, God will bless you for it. It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and
left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no one ever
heard a lie come from his lips. When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he
suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge. Christ himself carried
our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his
wounds that you have been healed. You were like sheep that had lost their way, but now you have
been brought back to follow the Shepherd and Keeper of your souls.
1 Peter 2:11-24