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

¹³ Be subject therefore to every human government, for the Lord's sake, whether to the king, as superior, ¹⁴ to governors, sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of those who do well; ¹⁵ for this is the will of God, that by well-doing you may silence the ignorance of foolish men; ¹⁶ as free, and not using freedom for a cloak of vice, but as servants of God. ¹⁷ Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

¹⁸ Let servants be subject with all fear to masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the perverse. ¹⁹ For this deserves thanks, if on account of a knowledge of God one endures pain, suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what glory is it if when you sin and are punished you bear it patiently? But if you do well and suffer and bear it patiently, [this deserves thanks], for it is acceptable to God.

²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you a copy that you should follow his steps, ²² who committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth, ²³ who being reviled reviled not, suffering threatened not, but committed himself to him that judges righteously, ²⁴ who himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we having died to sins, may live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. ²⁵ For you were like lost sheep, but are now returned to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.