16 Live as free people, but don’t hide behind your freedom when you do evil. Instead, use your freedom to serve God.
17 Honor everyone. Love your brothers and sisters in the faith. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18 Slaves, place yourselves under the authority of your owners and show them complete respect. Obey not only those owners who are good and kind, but also those who are unfair.
19 God is pleased if a person is aware of him while enduring the pains of unjust suffering.
20 What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you.
21 God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you. He left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps.
22 Christ never committed any sin. He never spoke deceitfully.