“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” – 1 Peter 3 (KJV)
Wives, in the same way, be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they might be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your respectful and holy behavior. Do not let your beauty be something outward, such as braided hair or wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather let your beauty be the hidden person of your heart—the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. In fact, this is also how the holy women of the past who put their hope in God made themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord.[a] You are her daughters if you do what is good and do not fear anything that is intimidating.
Husbands, in the same way, continue to live with your wives with the knowledge that, as the wife, she is the weaker vessel.[b] Also continue to accord them honor as fellow heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another. Show sympathy, brotherly love, compassion, and humility.[c] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. Instead, speak a blessing, because you were called for the purpose of inheriting a blessing. Indeed:
Let the one who wants to love life
and to see good days
keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from saying anything deceitful.
Let him turn from evil and do what is good.
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their requests.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.[d]
Who will harm you if you are eager to do[e] what is good? But even if you should happen to suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear,[f] and do not be troubled. But regard the Lord, the Christ,[g] as holy in your hearts.[h] Always be prepared to give an answer[i] to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.[j]
Indeed, it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, because Christ also suffered once for sins in our place,[k] the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you[l] to God. He was put to death in flesh[m] but was made alive in spirit,[n] in which he also went and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. These spirits disobeyed long ago, when God’s patience was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water, And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee[o] of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He went to heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Footnotes:
[a] 1 Peter 3:6 Genesis 18:12
[b] 1 Peter 3:7 Weaker vessel is a literal translation. Some understand vessel as a reference to the body (1 Samuel 21:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:4) and to physical weakness. Others understand vessel as a reference to God-given roles (Acts 9:15; 2 Timothy 2:20-21) and to more limited authority. It may include both ideas.
[c] 1 Peter 3:8 A few witnesses to the text read friendliness.
[d] 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
[e] 1 Peter 3:13 A few witnesses to the text read if you are followers of.
[f] 1 Peter 3:14 Or Do not be afraid of them
[g] 1 Peter 3:15 A few witnesses to the text read God instead of the Christ.
[h] 1 Peter 3:15 See Isaiah 8:12-13.
[i] 1 Peter 3:15 Or to give a defense
[j] 1 Peter 3:16 A few witnesses to the text omit as evildoers.
[k] 1 Peter 3:18 Some witnesses to the text omit in our place.
[l] 1 Peter 3:18 Some witnesses to the text read us.
[m] 1 Peter 3:18 Here flesh is a reference to Christ’s state of humiliation. See Romans 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:16.
[n] 1 Peter 3:18 Here spirit is a reference to Christ’s state of exaltation. See Romans 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:16.
[o] 1 Peter 3:21 Or legal claim, or assurance