1 I n like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if any do not obey the Word, they may be won over not by discussion but by the lives of their wives,

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;

2 W hen they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence.

While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 L et not yours be the external adorning with interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 B ut let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

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.

5 F or it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands.

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:

6 I t was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you.

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.

7 I n the same way you married men should live considerately with, with an intelligent recognition, honoring the woman as the weaker, but are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off.

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.

8 F inally, all should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing, loving as brethren, compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 N ever return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing.

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 F or let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit).

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:

11 L et him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly.

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

12 F or the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil.

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.

13 N ow who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good?

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

14 B ut even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed.

But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

15 B ut in your hearts set Christ apart as holy as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

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:

16 y our conscience is entirely clear ( unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed.

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.

17 F or better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing wrong.

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

18 F or Christ died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous (the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty), that He might bring us to God. In His human body He was put to death, but He was made alive in the spirit,

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:

19 I n which He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 w ho long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God’s patience waited during the building of the ark in which a few, actually eight in number, were saved through water.

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.

21 A nd baptism, which is a figure, does now also save you, not by the removing of outward body filth, but by the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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:

22 h as now entered into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him.

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.