19. One of you might have to suffer even when you have done nothing wrong. If you think of God and bear the pain, this pleases God.
20. But if you are punished for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for bearing that punishment. But if you suffer for doing good and you are patient, this pleases God.
21. This is what you were chosen to do. Christ gave you an example to follow. He suffered for you. So you should do the same as he did:
22. “He never sinned, and he never told a lie.” Isaiah 53:9
23. People insulted him, but he did not insult them back. He suffered, but he did not threaten anyone. No, he let God take care of him. God is the one who judges rightly.
24. Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed.
25. You were like sheep that went the wrong way. But now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your lives.