Wives and Husbands

1In the same way, wives,a submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word,b they may be won overc without a word by the way their wives lived 2when they observe your pure, reverent lives.a 3Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes,a 4but rather what is inside the hearta a — the imperishable quality of a gentleb and quietc spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5For in the past, the holya women who put their hopeb in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, 6just as Saraha obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.b

7Husbands,a in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner,b showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

8Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another,a and be compassionateb and humble,A 9not paying back evil for evila or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing,b since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

10For thea one who wants to love life

and to see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evilb

and his lips from speaking deceit,c

11and let him turn awaya from evil

and do what is good.

Let him seek peaceb and pursue it,

12because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against

those who do what is evil.a

Undeserved Suffering

13Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness,a you are blessed. Do not fear thema b or be intimidated,c d 15but in your hearts regardA ChristB the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.a 16Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,a so that when you are accused,A those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffera for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

18For Christ also suffereda for sins once for all,b the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.c He was put to death in the flesha d but made alive by the Spirit,B 19in whichA he also went and made proclamation to the spiritsa in prison 20who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noaha while the ark was being prepared. In it a few — that is, eight peoplea b — were saved through water. 21Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body,a but the pledgeA of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,b 22who has gone into heavena and is at the right hand of Godb with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.c