JMNT(i)
15 Now "you folks set [
the]
Lord [= Yahweh] –
the Anointed One – apart (or: Yet, let the Lord Christ be set-apart)
" [
Isa. 8:13],
within your hearts! (or: So, treat the Anointed Owner as holy, in the core of your beings),
always ready (ever prepared)
toward a defense to everyone – for the one repeatedly asking you for a word (i.e., a rational explanation and a logical response)
about the expectation within you folks – but still with gentleness (tenderness; meekness; kindness)
and deep respect (or: serious caution; reverence; [the] fear [of the Lord]),
16 habitually holding a good conscience (or: having a virtuous joint-knowing, from possessing a clear joined-perception),
so that those, having a habit of spitefully abusing and harassing your good behavior (or: conduct; way of life)
within, and in union with, Christ, may be brought to shame and disgrace relating to that within which you folks are constantly being defamed (spoken down against).