17. After all, if it is God’s will, it’s better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong.
18. This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit.
19. In it he also went to proclaim his victory to the spirits kept in prison.
20. They are like those who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah when God waited patiently while Noah built the ship. In this ship a few people—eight in all—were saved by water.
21. Baptism, which is like that water, now saves you. Baptism doesn’t save by removing dirt from the body. Rather, baptism is a request to God for a clear conscience. It saves you through Jesus Christ, who came back from death to life.
22. Christ has gone to heaven where he has the highest position that God gives. Angels, rulers, and powers have been placed under his authority.