Persecution That Backfired

18 (A) Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and (B) gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of (C) conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if (D) when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

21 For (E) you have been called for this purpose, (F) since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you (G) an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 Who (H) committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being (I) reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself (J) bore our sins in His body on the (K) cross, so that we (L) might die to sin and live to righteousness; for (M) by His wounds you were (N) healed.

25 For you were (O) continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the (P) Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

-1 Peter 2:18-25