It is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will,
than to suffer for doing evil. –1 Peter 3:17
Image Courtesy: EWTN
Suffering For Doing Right
All of you, have unity in spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart and a humble
mind. Do not repay evil-for-evil or abuse-for-abuse but on the contrary, repay with a blessing.
It is for this that you were called — that you might inherit a blessing.
For — Those who desire life
and desire to see good days,
let them keep their tongues from evil
and their lips from speaking deceit;
Let them turn away from evil and do good;
Let them seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are open to their prayer
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? Even if you do suffer for doing what
is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they (their) fear and do not be intimidated but in
your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who
demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; Yet do it with gentleness and
reverence (respect) — Keep your conscience clear so that when you are maligned, those who
abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for
doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also
suffered (and died) for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring
you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit, in which also He went
and made a proclamation (ministered) to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not
obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a
few, that is, eight persons were saved through water and baptism, which this prefigured, now
saves you (See: Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) — not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an
appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone
into Heaven and is at the right hand of God, with Angels, authorities and powers made subject
to Him. –1 Peter 3:8-22
Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB
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