1 Peter 3

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to [your] own husbands, so that even if any are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without word by the conduct of the wives,

2 having witnessed your⁺ respectful, pure conduct,

3 whose adornment let not be the external, of braiding of hair and putting around of gold or putting on of garments,

4 but the hidden man of the heart, in the imperishable [quality] of the gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth before God.

5 For in this way formerly the holy women also hoping in God used to adorn themselves, being subject to [their] own husbands,

6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, of whom you⁺ became children, doing good and not fearing [any] terror.

7 Husbands [do] likewise, dwelling with [them] according to knowledge, as with a weaker vessel, with the female, rendering honor as co-heirs also of the grace of life, in order for your⁺ prayers not to be hindered.

8 Now the end: All [be] single-minded, sympathetic, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, humble,

9 not giving back evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary blessing, because to this you⁺ were called, so that you⁺ should inherit a blessing.

10 For, “The one wanting to love life and to see good days, let him stop the tongue from evil, and the lips not speak deceit.

11 And let him turn away from evil, and let him do good; let him seek peace and let him pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord [are] on the righteous, and His ears toward their prayer. But the face of the Lord [is] on [those] doing evil.”

13 And who [is] the one who will do evil to you⁺ if you⁺ should be zealous for that which [is] good?

14 But even if you⁺ should suffer because of righteousness, [you are] blessed. “And you⁺ should not be afraid of their fear, nor should you⁺ be troubled.”

15 But in your⁺ hearts sanctify Christ [as] Lord, always ready for a defense to everyone who [is] asking you⁺ an account concerning the hope in you⁺, but with meekness and fear,

16 having a good conscience, so that in that which they speak against [you⁺], they shall be put to shame—those reviling your⁺ good conduct in Christ.

17 For [it is] better to suffer doing good, if the will of God wills [it], than doing evil,

18 because Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that He might bring you⁺ to God, having been put to death indeed in the flesh, but having been made alive in the Spirit,

19 in whom also, having gone, He preached to the spirits in prison

20 at one time having disobeyed, when the longsuffering of God was waiting in the days of Noah, of the ark being prepared, in which a few—that is, eight souls—were saved through water,

21 which also corresponds to the baptism now saving you⁺, not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the demand of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to Him.