13Be subject therefore to every human constitution for the Lord’s sake; whether to a king as the supreme magistrate; 14or to governors, as sent by him for the punishment of wicked doers, but the praise of those who do well. 15For such is the will of God, that by well doing ye hold under restraint the ignorance of foolish men: 16as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for wicked practices; but as being servants of God. 17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but even to the froward. 19For this is gracious conduct, if for conscience towards God, any man undergo sorrows, suffering wrongfully. 20For what glory would there be, if committing faults, and being buffeted, ye suffered patiently? but if, when ye behave well, yet suffer, ye bear it patiently, this is graciously accepted of God. 21For hereunto have ye been called, because Christ also hath suffered for you, leaving you a pattern, that ye should follow his steps; 22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23who, when reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he used no menaces; but referred himself to him who judgeth righteously: 24who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead unto sins, might live unto righteousness; “by whose stripes, even his, ye were healed[152].” 25For ye were as sheep wandering astray; but are now returned unto the pastor and bishop of your souls.
[CHAP. III.]
LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if some obey not the word, by their wives’ conduct without the word, they may be won over; 2being eye-witnesses of your chaste behaviour with timidity. 3Whose adorning let it not be that exterior one of braided locks, and golden trimmings, and dresses put on with nicety; 4but let it be the hidden man of the heart, with that incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God highly valuable. 5For so in times of old the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands; 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye are, if ye do well, and are not affrighted with any terror.
7Ye husbands, in like manner dwell with them discreetly, putting respect on the dear woman as being the weaker vessel, and as co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers may meet no interruption.
8Finally, be all like-minded, sympathizing, loving fraternally, compassionate, friendly hearted, 9not returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; but, contrariwise, wishing men every blessing; knowing that hereunto ye have been called, that ye should inherit the divine benediction. 10“For he that would love life, and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile. 11Let him depart from every wicked thing, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it[153].” 12For the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who practise wicked things. 13And who will do you harm if ye be imitators of him that is good? 14But if ye should even suffer for righteousness, blessed are ye: be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled, 15but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be always ready with your reply to every man who demands a reason respecting the hope which is in you with meekness and fear: 16keeping a good conscience; that whereas they malign you, as evil doers, they may be confounded who take pleasure in ridiculing your good conduct in Christ. 17For it is better (if it be God’s will) to suffer as well doers than as evil doers. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, put to death indeed in the flesh, but raised to life by the Spirit: 19by which also he went and preached to those spirits imprisoned; 20who in time of old were disobedient, when the long suffering of God in the days of Noe waited, while the ark was preparing, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were preserved through the water. 21The antitype to which baptism now saveth us (not the mere removal of filth from the flesh, but the engagement of a good conscience to God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22who is at the right hand of God, gone into heaven, angels and dominations and powers being put in subjection under him.
[CHAP. IV.]
CHRIST then having suffered for us in the flesh, be ye also in mind armed for the same conflict: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sinning; 2that he might not spend the remaining space of life in the flesh after human passions, but the divine will. 3For the time past of life is enough for us to have wrought the will of the heathen, when we walked in all impurities, lewd appetites, excess of wine, revels, drinking-bouts, and abominable idolatries; 4wherein they think it a strange thing, that you are not running with them into the same gulph of profligacy, spreading every scandalous report of you: 5who shall give an account to him, who holds himself ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For to this end was the gospel preached to those that are dead, that they might be judged indeed in the flesh according to the will of men, but live in spirit according to the will of God.
7But the end of all things is near: be ye therefore sober-minded, and vigilant in prayers. 8But above all things have fervent love towards each other: for love will conceal a multitude of faults.
9Exercise hospitality one towards another without grudgings. 10Let every one, according as he hath received a gift, minister it to others, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If any man speak, let it be agreeably to the oracles of God; if any man act as a deacon, let it be from the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and might for ever and ever. Amen.