The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
16 Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules.
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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 Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
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Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 You who are servants, be good servants to your masters - not just to good masters, but also to bad ones.
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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 What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason.
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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 There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.
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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 This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
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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 did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss.
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“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.
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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 used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing.
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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 lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd 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.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. 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.