15Because it is God's pleasure that foolish and narrow-minded men may be put to shame by your good behaviour:
16As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing, but living as the servants of God;
17Have respect for all, loving the brothers, fearing God, honouring the king.
18Servants, take orders from your masters with all respect; not only if they are good and gentle, but even if they are bad-humoured.
19For it is a sign of grace if a man, desiring to do right in the eyes of God, undergoes pain as punishment for something which he has not done.
20What credit is it if, when you have done evil, you take your punishment quietly? but if you are given punishment for doing right, and take it quietly, this is pleasing to God.
21This is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps:
