12. For the eyes of Adonai are on the righteous and His ears open to their prayer, but the face of Adonai is against those who do evil.”
13. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14. But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid or worry about their threats.
15. Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
16. yet with humility and reverence—keeping a clear conscience so that, whatever you are accused of, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Messiah may be put to shame.
17. For it is better to suffer for doing good (if it is God’s will) than for doing evil.
18. For Messiah once suffered for sins also—the righteous for the unrighteous—in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Ruach.
19. Through the Ruach He also went and preached to the spirits in prison.
20. Long ago they disobeyed while God kept waiting patiently, in the days of Noah as the ark was being built. In that ark a few (that is, eight souls) were brought safely through water.