How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. (1 Peter 2:11-12, NRSV)
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:11-12, KJV)
Being moral isn't just the right thing to do—it can also help win converts. If non-believers see you acting all good and righteous, they might rethink their opposition to this Jesus fellow. After all, how bad can he be if that super nice lady from down the street likes him?
Quote #8
Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. (1 Peter 2:18, NRSV)
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (1 Peter 2:18, KJV)
Not all the Bible's moral pronouncements have aged so well: today, we'd hardly call obedient slaves a good thing. Back in the day, though, slavery was a way of life. If Christian slaves caused trouble for their masters (by asserting they were people created in the image of God or something like that), their masters could make trouble for the rest of the church. Peter's not willing to take that risk.
Quote #9
Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God's sight. (1 Peter 3:1-4, NRSV)
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Peter 3:1-4, KJV)
Some more controversial ethical duties. This time, it's for the ladies. While some modern women do subscribe to this household arrangement, you'd probably have a tougher time finding ladies who think hair braids are way too fancy to be godly.