1
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that,
if any of them do not believe the word,
they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,
2
when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
3
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment,
such as briaded hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of
a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
5
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used
to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands.
6
like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master.
You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives,
and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you
of gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another;
be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10
For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue
from evil and his lips from decitful speech.
11
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive
to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
"Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give
an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope
that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against
your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
17
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God. He was put go death in the body but made alive
by the Spirit,
19
through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in person.
20
who disobeyed long go when God waited patiently in the dys of Noah
while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight, in all,
were saved through water,
21
and this water symbolizes baptism that noe saves you also -
not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience
toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
22
who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand - with angels,
authorities and powers in submission to him.