1 Peter 2:11-16

11Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

12Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

13For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,

14or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

15It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

16For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.