1 Peter 3:15-17

Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

¹⁵ but _g in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, _h always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and _i respect, ¹⁶ _j having a good conscience, so that, _k when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For _l it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

1. Cross References
   Isaiah 29:23
   For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
   Matthew 6:9
   Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
   
2. Cross References
   Colossians 4:6
   Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
   2 Timothy 2:25
   Correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
   
3. Cross References
   1 Peter 1:17
   And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.
   
4. Cross References
   Hebrews 13:18
   Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
   
5. Cross References
   1 Peter 2:12
   Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
   
6. Cross References
   1 Peter 2:20
   For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
   1 Peter 4:15 - 16
   But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.