⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(A) a royal priesthood,^(B) a holy nation,^(C) God’s special possession,^(D) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(E) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(F) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(G) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(H) to abstain from sinful desires,^(I) which wage war against your soul.^{(J) 12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(K) and glorify God^(L) on the day he visits us.

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^{(A) 14} But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(B) “Do not fear their threats^[a]; do not be frightened.”^{[b](C) 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(D) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(E) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(F) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^(G)