Study Desk

^(C1)And who is ^(F1)there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

But even if you should ^(C1)suffer for the sake of righteousness, ^(C2)you ^(F1)are blessed. ^(C3)AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR ^(F2)INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE IN DREAD,

but ^(F1)sanctify ^(C1)Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready ^(C2)to make a ^(F2)defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the ^(C1)hope that is in you, but ^(C3)with gentleness and ^(C4)respect;

^(F1)and keep a ^(C1)good conscience so that in the thing in which ^(C2)you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

For ^(C1)it is better, ^(C2)if ^(F1)God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

For ^(C1)Christ also ^(F1)suffered for sins ^(C2)once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might ^(C3)bring us to God, having been put to death ^(C4)in the flesh, but made alive ^(C5)in the ^(F2)spirit;

in ^(F1)which He also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison,

who once were disobedient when the ^(C1)patience of God ^(C2)kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of ^(C3)the ark, in which a few, that is, ^(C4)eight ^(C5)persons, were brought safely through the water.

^(C1)Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—^(C2)not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God ^(F1)for a ^(C3)good conscience—through ^(C4)the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

^(C1)who is at the right hand of God, ^(C2)having gone into heaven, ^(C3)after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.