8Finally, be like-minded, with love, compassion, and courtesy for one another, with humility. 9Do not repay evil for evil, nor insult for insult; but instead, repay them with blessings, knowing that your Lord has called you to this, so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For “Whoever delights in life, and desires to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceitfully. 11Turn from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and work to maintain it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.” (Ps.34:12-16).

13And who will want to harm you, if you are eager to do what is good? (Prov.12:21, 16:7) 14But if you do suffer for what is right, you should be happy (blessed); and not in fear their threats, nor be dismayed, 15But honor the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks why you keep the hope that lives within you as a believer, but always with gentleness and respect, 16Keeping a clear conscience, so that, whenever anyone speaks evil of you, they may be ashamed for falsely accusing you, as they observe your good way of life in Christ. 17For it is better, if it is the will of God, that you suffer for doing good, than for doing evil. 18For Christ also has suffered once for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh; but was made alive by the Spirit, 19After being made alive, He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20To those who long ago, were disobedient, when the long-enduring God patiently waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built, in which only a few souls – eight, in all - were brought safely through water; 21And this water symbolizes baptism (which, in turn, symbolizes the state of being saved) - not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God – and saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; 22Who has gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God, with angels, and all authorities and powers put in submission to Him.