1 Peter 2:14-16

Expanded Bible

¹⁴ and the ·leaders [governors] who are ·sent [commissioned] by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. ¹⁵ [^LFor; Because] It is ·God’s desire [^Lthe will of God] that by doing good you should ·stop foolish people from saying stupid things about you [^Lsilence the ignorant talk of foolish people]. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an ·excuse [cover-up; pretext] to do evil. Live as ·servants [slaves] of God.