1 Peter 3:11
New International Version
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.

New Living Translation
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

English Standard Version
let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Berean Standard Bible
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

Berean Literal Bible
Also let him turn away from evil, and let him do good. Let him seek peace and let him pursue it.

King James Bible
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

New King James Version
Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

New American Standard Bible
“HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

NASB 1995
“HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

NASB 1977
“AND LET HIM TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; LET HIM SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

Legacy Standard Bible
HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

Amplified Bible
“HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT. HE MUST SEARCH FOR PEACE [with God, with self, with others] AND PURSUE IT EAGERLY [actively—not merely desiring it].

Christian Standard Bible
and let him turn away from evil and do what is good. Let him seek peace and pursue it,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and he must turn away from evil and do what is good. He must seek peace and pursue it,

American Standard Version
And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

Contemporary English Version
Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road to peace.

English Revised Version
And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They must turn away from evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it.

Good News Translation
You must turn away from evil and do good; you must strive for peace with all your heart.

International Standard Version
He must turn away from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it.

Majority Standard Bible
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

NET Bible
And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

New Heart English Bible
Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let him shun evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.

Weymouth New Testament
Let him turn from evil, and do good; Let him inquire for peace and go in pursuit of it.

World English Bible
Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
let him turn aside from evil, and do good, let him seek peace and pursue it;

Berean Literal Bible
Also let him turn away from evil, and let him do good. Let him seek peace and let him pursue it.

Young's Literal Translation
let him turn aside from evil, and do good, let him seek peace and pursue it;

Smith's Literal Translation
Let him bend away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and follow it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let him decline from evil, and do good: let him seek after peace and pursue it:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

New American Bible
must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it.

New Revised Standard Version
let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let him refrain from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Let him move away from wickedness and let him do good; let him seek peace and run after it.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
let him turn from evil and do good: let him seek peace, and pursue it.

Godbey New Testament
let him depart from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it:

Haweis New Testament
Let him depart from every wicked thing, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.”

Mace New Testament
he must avoid vice, practise virtue, seek peace, and persevere in the enquiry.

Weymouth New Testament
Let him turn from evil, and do good; Let him inquire for peace and go in pursuit of it.

Worrell New Testament
and let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it;

Worsley New Testament
let him turn away from evil, and do good:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Turning from Evil
10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”…

Cross References
Psalm 34:14
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

James 3:18
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

Isaiah 1:16-17
Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 14:19
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Psalm 37:27
Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.

Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.


Treasury of Scripture

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

eschew.

Job 1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Job 2:3
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

do.

Psalm 125:4
Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

Matthew 5:45
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Mark 14:7
For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

seek.

Psalm 120:6,7
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace…

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Luke 1:79
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Jump to Previous
Avoid Evil Good Heart Inquire Peace Pursue Pursuit Right Searching Seek Shun Turn Turned
Jump to Next
Avoid Evil Good Heart Inquire Peace Pursue Pursuit Right Searching Seek Shun Turn Turned
1 Peter 3
1. He teaches the duty of wives and husbands to each other;
8. exhorting all men to unity and love;
14. and to suffer persecution.
19. He declares also the benefits of Christ toward the old world.














He must turn from evil
The phrase "turn from evil" is rooted in the Greek word "ekklino," which means to deviate or turn away from a path. In the context of 1 Peter, this is a call to repentance and a conscious decision to reject sin. Historically, the early Christians were often surrounded by pagan practices and moral corruption. This directive emphasizes the need for a deliberate and active choice to abandon sinful behaviors and align oneself with God's will. The act of turning away from evil is not passive but requires vigilance and determination, reflecting a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit.

and do good
The Greek word for "do" here is "poieo," which implies action and creation. "Good" is translated from "agathos," meaning beneficial or virtuous. This phrase calls believers to not only avoid evil but to actively engage in righteous deeds. In the historical context of the early church, doing good was a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel. Christians were known for their acts of charity, kindness, and justice, which set them apart in a world often characterized by self-interest and moral decay. This call to action is a reminder that faith is demonstrated through works, as echoed in James 2:17.

he must seek peace
The word "seek" comes from the Greek "zeteo," which means to strive for or desire earnestly. "Peace" is translated from "eirene," which encompasses not only the absence of conflict but also the presence of harmony and wholeness. In the scriptural context, peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a reflection of God's kingdom. The early Christians were often persecuted, and seeking peace was both a personal and communal endeavor. It involved fostering reconciliation and unity within the church and with outsiders. This pursuit of peace is a call to embody the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

and pursue it
The term "pursue" is derived from the Greek "dioko," which means to follow after or chase with intensity. This suggests an active and persistent effort to maintain peace. In the historical context, the early church faced internal and external conflicts, and the pursuit of peace required diligence and perseverance. This phrase underscores the importance of not only desiring peace but also taking concrete steps to achieve and sustain it. It is a call to be peacemakers, as Jesus taught in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:9), reflecting the heart of God who desires reconciliation and unity among His people.

(11) Let him eschew evil.--Literally swerve out of the way from evil. The two former clauses dealt with the domain of word; these two with the domain of action. It suits St. Peter's intention better to take the verse, not as an exhortation to virtue in general, but as an instruction how to behave under provocation and in danger. The "good" which the man is to do is what is kind, not merely what is virtuous; and so, by contrast, the "evil" to be eschewed probably means chiefly what is malicious.

Seek peace, and ensue it.--"As much as in you lieth," says St. Paul, "live peaceably with all men." It is to be a matter of diligent search; and if it seems to flee away it is to be "ensued"--i.e., pursued. The active practical measures here prescribed confirm the surmise that "blessing" in 1Peter 3:8 covered more ground than benedictory prayers.

Verse 11. - Let him eschew evil, and do good; literally, let him turn away from evil. Let him seek peace, and ensue it. Let him seek it as a hidden treasure, and pursue it as if it might escape from him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He must turn away
ἐκκλινάτω (ekklinatō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1578: From ek and klino; to deviate, i.e. to shun, or to decline.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

evil
κακοῦ (kakou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

do
ποιησάτω (poiēsatō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

good;
ἀγαθόν (agathon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

he must seek
ζητησάτω (zētēsatō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

peace
εἰρήνην (eirēnēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1515: Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

pursue
διωξάτω (diōxatō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1377: To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.

it.
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


Links
1 Peter 3:11 NIV
1 Peter 3:11 NLT
1 Peter 3:11 ESV
1 Peter 3:11 NASB
1 Peter 3:11 KJV

1 Peter 3:11 BibleApps.com
1 Peter 3:11 Biblia Paralela
1 Peter 3:11 Chinese Bible
1 Peter 3:11 French Bible
1 Peter 3:11 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Peter 3:11 Let him turn away from evil and (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)
1 Peter 3:10
Top of Page
Top of Page