1 Peter 3:9-22

9Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead—it is for this reason you were called, so that you might inherit a blessing.

10For, “The one who loves life, wanting to see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

11He must turn away from evil and do good. He must seek shalom and pursue it.

12For the eyes of Adonai are on the righteous and His ears open to their prayer, but the face of Adonai is against those who do evil.”

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid or worry about their threats.

15Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,

16yet with humility and reverence—keeping a clear conscience so that, whatever you are accused of, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Messiah may be put to shame.

17For it is better to suffer for doing good (if it is God’s will) than for doing evil.

18For Messiah once suffered for sins also—the righteous for the unrighteous—in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Ruach.

19Through the Ruach He also went and preached to the spirits in prison.

20Long ago they disobeyed while God kept waiting patiently, in the days of Noah as the ark was being built. In that ark a few (that is, eight souls) were brought safely through water.

21Corresponding to that, immersion now brings you to safety—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but a pledge to God of a good conscience—through the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua.

22He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels and authorities and powers subjected to Him.