New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
13 Follow the lead of every human authority. Do it because the Lord wants you to. Obey the king. He is the highest authority.
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Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
14 Obey the governors. The king sends them to punish those who do wrong. He also sends them to praise those who do right.
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or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
15 By doing good you will put a stop to the talk of foolish people. They don't know what they are saying. God wants you to stop them.
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For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
16 Live like free people. But don't use your freedom to cover up evil. Live like people who serve God.
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Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
17 Show proper respect to everyone. Love the community of believers. Have respect for God. Honor the king.
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Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 Slaves, obey your masters with all the respect you should give them. Obey not only those who are good and kind. Obey also those who are not kind.
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Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
19 Suppose a person suffers pain unfairly because he wants to obey God. That is worthy of praise.
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For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.
20 But suppose you receive a beating for doing wrong, and you put up with it. Will anyone honor you for that? Of course not. But suppose you suffer for doing good, and you put up with it. God will praise you for that.
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But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
21 Christ suffered for you. He left you an example. He expects you to follow in his steps. You too were chosen to suffer.
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To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 Scripture says, "He didn't commit any sin. No lies ever came out of his mouth." (Isaiah 53:9)
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“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 People shouted at him and made fun of him. But he didn't do the same back to them. He suffered. But he didn't say that bad things would happen to them. Instead, he trusted in the One who judges fairly.
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When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did it so that we would die as far as sins are concerned. Then we would lead godly lives. His wounds have made you whole.
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“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
25 You were like sheep who were wandering away. But now you have returned to the Shepherd. He is the Leader of your souls.
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For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.