8. andA stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the message; they were destined for this.
9. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darknessinto His marvelous light.
10. Once you were not a people,but now you are God’s people;you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11. Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.
12. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.
13. Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority
14. or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.
15. For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.
16. As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.
17. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.