1 Peter 2:12-20

12Live decent lives among unbelievers. Then, although they ridicule you as if you were doing wrong while they are watching you do good things, they will praise God on the day he comes to help you.

13Place yourselves under the authority of human governments to please the Lord. Obey the emperor. He holds the highest position of authority.

14Also obey governors. They are people the emperor has sent to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

15God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right.

16Live as free people, but don’t hide behind your freedom when you do evil. Instead, use your freedom to serve God.

17Honor everyone. Love your brothers and sisters in the faith. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

18Slaves, place yourselves under the authority of your owners and show them complete respect. Obey not only those owners who are good and kind, but also those who are unfair.

19God is pleased if a person is aware of him while enduring the pains of unjust suffering.

20What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you.