Live as Servants of God

11 Beloved, I urge you as strangers and sojourners to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul, 12 keeping your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God on the day of his visitation.

13 [fn]Therefore, be subject to every human institution for the sake of the Lord, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors as those who are sent by him to punish evildoers and to praise those who do good. 15 For it is God's will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil; live as servants of God. 17 Give honor to all, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king.