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 braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4
Instead, it should be that of our inner self, the unfading beauty of
a gentle and quiet spirit, which is ofgreat 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 wives, and treat them
with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift
of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be symphathetic, love
as brothers, bw compassionate and humble.
9
Do not repay with evil with evil or insult with nsult, 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 deceitful speech.
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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."
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Who is going to 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,
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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 for once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive
by the Spirit,
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through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison
20
who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days 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 now saves you also -
not the removal of dirt form 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.
