you will silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
You know what happens when others think you are a "goodie-goodie"! You might get mocked just like the situation in the beginning of the reading for today.
St. Peter urges his readers to good behavior no matter what, finding Jesus to be the example for us. But not only is Jesus the example, he's the one that is with us and who makes it possible to act with love and peace in the middle of trouble. This is what we mean by grace: this divine fuel that God puts in our tank so that we can live with great energy and love. The Holy Spirit is like the "Energizer Bunny" inside of us!