Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
For, if it is God's will that you should suffer, it is better [for you] that it be on account of doing right than doing wrong.
New American Standard Bible
For
King James Version
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Holman Bible
For it is better to suffer
International Standard Version
After all, if it is the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
A Conservative Version
For it is better to suffer doing good, if the will of God desires, than for doing evil.
American Standard Version
For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.
Amplified
For it is better that you suffer [unjustly] for doing what is right, if that should be God’s will, than [to suffer justly] for doing wrong.
Anderson New Testament
For it is better, if such be the will of God, that you suffer for doing good, than for doing evil.
Bible in Basic English
Because if it is God's purpose for you to undergo pain, it is better to do so for well-doing than for evil-doing.
Common New Testament
For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong.
Daniel Mace New Testament
for since it is the will of heaven you should suffer, it is better you should suffer for your virtue, than for any crimes.
Darby Translation
For it is better, if the will of God should will it, to suffer as well-doers than as evildoers;
Emphatic Diaglott Bible
For it is better to suffer as well doers, if the will of God appoints it, than as evil doers.
Godbey New Testament
For it is better, doing good, if the will of the Lord should will it, to suffer, rather than doing evil.
Goodspeed New Testament
For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong.
John Wesley New Testament
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.
Julia Smith Translation
Fur better, doing good, if the will of God will, to suffer, than doing evil.
King James 2000
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Lexham Expanded Bible
For [it is] better to suffer for doing good, {if God wills it}, than for doing evil.
Modern King James verseion
For it is better, if the will of God wills it, to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
It is better - if the will of God be so - that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Moffatt New Testament
For it is better to suffer for doing right (if that should be the will of God) than for doing wrong.
Montgomery New Testament
For it is better that you suffer for doing right, if such be God's will, than for doing wrong;
NET Bible
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.
New Heart English Bible
For it is better, if it is God's will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.
Noyes New Testament
For it is better, if it be the will of God, that ye suffer for welldoing, than for evildoing.
Sawyer New Testament
For it is better to suffer doing good, if the will of God allows, than doing evil.
The Emphasized Bible
For it is, better, as well-doers, if it should please the pleasure of God, to be suffering, than, as evil-doers:
Thomas Haweis New Testament
For it is better (if it be God's will) to suffer as well doers than as evil doers.
Twentieth Century New Testament
It is better that you should suffer, if that should be God's will, for doing right, than for doing wrong.
Webster
For it is better, if the will of God is so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing.
Weymouth New Testament
For it is better that you should suffer for doing right, if such be God's will, than for doing evil;
Williams New Testament
For it is better, if the will of God should plan it so, to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
World English Bible
For it is better, if it is God's will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.
Worrell New Testament
For it is better, if the will of God should will it, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing;
Worsley New Testament
For it is better (if it be the will of God) to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Youngs Literal Translation
for it is better doing good, if the will of God will it, to suffer, than doing evil;
Topics
Interlinear
thelo
References
Fausets
Hastings
Word Count of 38 Translations in 1 Peter 3:17
Verse Info
Context Readings
Suffer For Doing What Is Good
16 May your conscience be able to so approve of your conduct that, even if you are ridiculed, those doing it will [eventually] have to be ashamed [of themselves] for criticizing your Christian behavior. 17 For, if it is God's will that you should suffer, it is better [for you] that it be on account of doing right than doing wrong. 18 For Christ suffered once for people's sins [to be forgiven]. [It was the case of] a righteous Man suffering for unrighteous people, so that He could bring you [or, "us"] to God [for salvation]. [Though] He [i.e., Jesus] was put to death physically, He was brought back to life by the Holy Spirit [Note: Some translations say "in spirit"].
Cross References
1 Peter 2:20
But it is no credit to you if you put up with a beating you deserve. But if you patiently tolerate suffering for doing good, this is pleasing to God.
1 Peter 4:19
Therefore, those who [are allowed to] suffer in harmony with God's [permissive] will, should commit their souls to a trustworthy Creator, [who will take everything into account], while they go on [trying] to do what is right.
Matthew 26:39
And He went on ahead a short distance and fell face-down and prayed, "My Father, allow this cup [i.e., of suffering] to pass away from me if it is [at all] possible; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what You want [for me]."
Matthew 26:42
He [then] went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if this [cup of suffering] cannot pass away unless I drink it [i.e., experience the suffering], [then] let what You want be done."
Acts 21:14
And when he could not be dissuaded [from going to Jerusalem] we stopped [trying to convince him], saying, "Let the Lord's will be done in the matter."
1 Peter 2:15
For it is God's will that, by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorant [talk and actions] of foolish people.
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you have to suffer for doing what was right, you still have [God's] blessing. So, do not be afraid of the threats [of your persecutors], and do not let it worry you.
1 Peter 4:15
[However], you should not have to suffer for murdering, stealing, doing evil or interfering in the affairs of others.