Peter begins to speak specifically to people who are servants in people's houses.
# the good and gentle masters
Here the words "good" and "gentle" share similar meanings and emphasize that such masters treat their servants kindly. AT: "the very kind masters" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
# the malicious ones
"the cruel ones" or "the mean ones"
# it is praiseworthy
"it is deserving of praise" or "it is pleasing to God"
# endures pain ... because of his awareness of God
Possible meanings of the original passage are 1) that this person accepts suffering because he knows he is obeying God or 2) that this person is able to endure unjust punishment because he knows that God knows how he is suffering.
# For how much credit is there ... while being punished?
Peter asks this question to emphasize that there is nothing praiseworthy about suffering for doing something wrong. AT: "For there is no credit ... while being punished." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
# while being punished
This can be stated in active form. AT: "while someone punishes you" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
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