New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
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Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor 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 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.
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For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.
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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 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
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Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.
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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 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.
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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 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
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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 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
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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 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
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“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always 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 personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
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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 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian 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 Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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.