13. Be willing to serve the people who have authority in this world. Do this for the Lord. Obey the king, the highest authority.
14. And obey the leaders who are sent by the king. They are sent to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do good.
15. When you do good, you stop ignorant people from saying foolish things about you. This is what God wants.
16. Live like free people, but don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as those who are serving God.
17. Show respect for all people. Love your brothers and sisters in God’s family. Respect God, and honor the king.
18. Slaves, be willing to serve your masters. Do this with all respect. You should obey the masters who are good and kind, and you should obey the masters who are bad.
19. One of you might have to suffer even when you have done nothing wrong. If you think of God and bear the pain, this pleases God.
20. But if you are punished for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for bearing that punishment. But if you suffer for doing good and you are patient, this pleases God.
21. This is what you were chosen to do. Christ gave you an example to follow. He suffered for you. So you should do the same as he did:
22. “He never sinned, and he never told a lie.” Isaiah 53:9
23. People insulted him, but he did not insult them back. He suffered, but he did not threaten anyone. No, he let God take care of him. God is the one who judges rightly.
24. Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed.
25. You were like sheep that went the wrong way. But now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your lives.