1 Peter 2:13-25 - Submission To Established Authority
13 For the Lord's sake submit to all human authority; to the emperor as supreme, 14 and to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to reward those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live like free men, only do not make your freedom a pretext for doing evil, but live like slaves of God. 17 Show honor to everyone. Practice love for the brotherhood; practice reverence to God and honor to the Emperor.
18 You house-servants must be submissive to your masters and show them perfect respect, not only to those who are kind and fair but also to those who are cruel. 19 For it is pleasing in the sight of God for one to bear his sorrows though suffering innocently. 20 For what credit is it to bear it patiently, if you do wrong and are beaten for it? But if you do right and patiently suffer for it, it is pleasing in the sight of God.
21 Indeed, it was to this kind of living that you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you might follow His footsteps. 22 He never committed a sin, and deceit was never found on His lips. 23 Although He was abused, He never retorted; although He continued to suffer, He never threatened, but committed His case to Him who judges justly. 24 He bore our sins in His own body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to uprightness. By His wounds you have been healed, 25 for once you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of Your souls.