November 24
1 Pet 2:11-3:7
Beloved, I beg you as
foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against
the soul; having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see,
glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore subject yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; or to
governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those
who do well. For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put
to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom
for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be
in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and
gentle, but also to the wicked. For it is commendable if someone endures
pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. For what glory
is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do
well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. For to
this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an
example, that you should follow his steps, who did not sin, “neither was
deceit found in his mouth.” Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When
he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges
righteously; who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that
we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you
were healed. For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to
the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even
if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives
without a word; seeing your pure behavior in fear. Let your beauty be not
just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of
gold, or of putting on fine clothing; but in the hidden person of the heart,
in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the
sight of God very precious. For this is how the holy women before, who hoped
in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if
you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.
You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge,
giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint
heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.
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