8 Now to sum up, aall of you be like-minded, sympathetic, bbrotherly, ctender-hearted, and dhumble in spirit; 9 anot returning evil for evil or breviling for reviling, but giving a cblessing instead, for dyou were called for the very purpose that you might einherit a blessing. 10 For,
“aThe one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 aHe must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 aFor the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Suffering for Righteousness
13 aAnd who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should asuffer for the sake of righteousness, byou are blessed. cAnd do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify aChrist as Lord in your hearts, always being ready bto make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the ahope that is in you, yet cwith gentleness and dfear, 16 having a agood conscience so that in the thing in which byou are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For ait is better, bif God should will it so, that you suffer for doing good rather than for doing wrong.