1 Peter 2:13-25 - Submission To Established Authority

¹³ Submit to all human institutions for the Lord's sake, alike to the emperor as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ and to governors as the men sent by him to punish evil-doers and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵ For God's will is this--that you should silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. ¹⁶ Act as free men, yet not using your freedom as those do who make it a cloak for wickedness, but as Servants of God. ¹⁷ Show honour to every one, Love the Brotherhood, 'revere God, honour the emperor.'

¹⁸ Those of you who are domestic servants should always be submissive and respectful to their masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are arbitrary. ¹⁹ For this wins God's approval when, because conscious of God's presence, a man who is suffering unjustly bears his troubles patiently. ²⁰ What credit can you claim when, after doing wrong, you take your punishment for it patiently? But, on the other hand, if, after doing right, you take your sufferings patiently, that does win the approval of God.

²¹ For it was to this that you were called! For Christ, too, suffered--on your behalf--and left you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²² He 'never sinned, nor was anything deceitful ever heard from his lips.' ²³ He was abused, but he did not answer with abuse; he suffered, but he did not threaten; he entrusted himself to him whose judgments are just. ²⁴ And he 'himself carried our sins' in his own body to the cross, so that we might die to our sins, and live for righteousness. 'His bruising was your healing.' ²⁵ Once you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.