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,

In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;

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

seeing your pure behavior in 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;

Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;

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 in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.

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 this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to 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.

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.

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.

You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be 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 all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tender hearted, 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 insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may 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 who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.

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 turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue 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 on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

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

Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators 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 even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, 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 always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility 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, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life 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 it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.

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,

Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

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

in which he also went and preached to 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.

who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through 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.

This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through 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 at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.