1 Peter 3
Wives and Husbands
3 Likewise,
wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not
obey THE WORD, they
may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
2 when
they see your respectful and pure conduct.
3 Do not
let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold
jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
4 but let
your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable
beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in GOD's sight is very precious.
5 For this
is how the holy women who hoped in GOD used to adorn themselves, by submitting to
their own husbands,
6 as Sarah
obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good
and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands,
live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the
weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of THE GRACE OF LIFE, so
that your prayers may not be hindered.
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake
8 Finally,
all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a
tender heart, and a humble mind.
9 Do not
repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless,
for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
10 For
“Whoever desires to love
life
and see
good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his
lips from speaking deceit;
11 let
him turn away from evil and do good;
let him
seek peace and pursue it.
12 For THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE RIGHTEOUS,
AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS.
But THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”
13 Now who is there to
harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
14 But even
if you should suffer for RIGHTEOUSNESS'
sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15 but in
your hearts honor CHRIST
THE LORD as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to
anyone who asks you for a reason for THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU; yet do it with
gentleness and respect,
16 having a
good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your
good behavior in CHRIST
may be put to shame.
17 For it
is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be GOD's will, than for
doing evil.
18 For CHRIST ALSO SUFFERED ONCE FOR
SINS, THE RIGHTEOUS FOR THE UNRIGHTEOUS, THAT HE MIGHT BRING US TO GOD,
being PUT TO DEATH IN
THE FLESH BUT MADE ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT,
19 in which HE WENT AND PROCLAIMED TO THE SPIRITS
IN PRISON,
20 because] they formerly did not obey, when GOD's patience waited
in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few,
that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
21 BAPTISM, which
corresponds to this, NOW
SAVES YOU, not as a removal of dirt from the body but AS AN APPEAL TO GOD FOR A GOOD
CONSCIENCE, THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST,
22 WHO HAS GONE INTO HEAVEN AND IS AT THE
RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WITH ANGELS, AUTHORITIES, AND POWERS HAVING BEEN SUBJECTED
TO HIM.”
