15 But [a]sanctify [b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always (A)be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the (B)hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 (C)having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Christ’s Suffering and Ours

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring [c]us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:15 set apart
  2. 1 Peter 3:15 NU Christ as Lord
  3. 1 Peter 3:18 NU, M you

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(A) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope(B) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,(C) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.(D) 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will,(E) to suffer for doing good(F) than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once(G) for sins,(H) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.(I) He was put to death in the body(J) but made alive in the Spirit.(K)

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