9Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing. 10"People who want to live a full life and enjoy good days must keep their tongues from saying evil things, and their lips from speaking deceitful things. 11They must turn away from evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it. 12The Lord's eyes are on those who do what he approves. His ears hear their prayer. The Lord confronts those who do evil." 13Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good? 14But even if you suffer for doing what God approves, you are blessed. Don't be afraid of those who want to harm you. Don't get upset. 15But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence [in God] when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect. 16Keep your conscience clear. Then those who treat the good Christian life you live with contempt will feel ashamed that they have ridiculed you. 17After all, if it is God's will, it's better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong. 18This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit. 19In it he also went to proclaim his victory to the spirits kept in prison. 20They are like those who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah when God waited patiently while Noah built the ship. In this ship a few people-eight in all-were saved by water. 21Baptism, which is like that water, now saves you. Baptism doesn't save by removing dirt from the body. Rather, baptism is a request to God for a clear conscience. It saves you through Jesus Christ, who came back from death to life. 22Christ has gone to heaven where he has the highest position that God gives. Angels, rulers, and powers have been placed under his authority.
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