1 Peter 3

¹In the same way, wives, submit to your own husbands, in order that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way of life of their wives

²as they observe your reverent, pure way of life.

³Your adornment must not be merely external—elaborate braiding of the hair and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on fine clothing—

⁴but let your adornment be the hidden self of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which is highly valued in the sight of God.

⁵For in this way in earlier times the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, submitting to their own husbands,

⁶just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him “Lord,” whose children you are when you continue to do what is good and are not afraid of any intimidation.

⁷In the same way, husbands, live in a knowledgeable way with your wife as with a weaker vessel, showing honor to them as also being co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers are not hindered.

⁸Finally, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, having affection for God’s family, tenderhearted, humble-minded.

⁹Do not repay evil for evil, or insult for insult, but on the contrary, give a blessing, for to this you were called, so that you inherit a blessing.

¹⁰For whoever wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech,

¹¹and he must turn away from evil and do good. He must seek peace and diligently pursue it.

¹²For 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.

¹³And who will harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

¹⁴But even if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed; and do not be afraid of them, nor be troubled,

¹⁵but in your hearts set the Lord Christ apart as holy. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you,

¹⁶yet do it with meekness and respect, having a good conscience, so that in a case when you are spoken against, those who revile your good way of life in Christ will be put to shame.

¹⁷For it is better to suffer for doing what is good, if that would be God’s will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸For Christ also suffered for sins once—the Righteous One on behalf of unrighteous people—in order to bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the spirit,

¹⁹in which state he also went and proclaimed his victory to the spirits in prison,

²⁰who were disobedient in the past, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being built, in which a few people—that is, eight souls—were brought safely through water,

²¹which also symbolizes the baptism that now saves you (not the removal of dirt from the flesh but an appeal to God from a good conscience) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

²²who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels and authorities and powers having been put in subjection to him.