1 ¶ Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that also those who do not obey the Word, may be won without a word by the conversation of their wives,

Wives, obey your own husbands. Some of your husbands may not obey the Word of God. By obeying your husbands, they may become Christians by the life you live without you saying anything.

2 c onsidering your chaste conversation which is in fear.

They will see how you love God and how your lives are pure.

3 L et their adorning not be outward with ostentatious hairdos and wearing of gold nor in composition of apparel,

Do not let your beauty come from the outside. It should not be the way you comb your hair or the wearing of gold or the wearing of fine clothes.

4 b ut let the interior adorning of the heart be without corruption, and of an agreeable spirit and peaceful, which is precious in the sight of God.

Your beauty should come from the inside. It should come from the heart. This is the kind that lasts. Your beauty should be a gentle and quiet spirit. In God’s sight this is of great worth and no amount of money can buy it.

5 F or after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who waited upon God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands,

This was the kind of beauty seen in the holy women who lived many years ago. They put their hope in God. They also obeyed their husbands.

6 a s Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, of whom ye are made daughters, doing well and not being afraid of any terror.

Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham. She respected him as the head of the house. You are her children if you do what is right and do not have fear.

7 L ikewise, ye husbands, dwell with them wisely, giving honour unto the woman, as unto a more fragile vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers not be hindered.

In the same way, husbands should understand and respect their wives, because women are weaker than men. Remember, both husband and wife are to share together the gift of life that lasts forever. If this is not done, you will find it hard to pray. Teaching for All Christians

8 ¶ And finally, be ye all of one consent, of one affection, loving each other fraternally, merciful, courteous,

Last of all, you must share the same thoughts and the same feelings. Love each other with a kind heart and with a mind that has no pride.

9 n ot rendering evil for evil or curse for curse, but to the contrary, blessing, knowing that ye are called, that ye should possess a blessing by inheritance.

When someone does something bad to you, do not do the same thing to him. When someone talks about you, do not talk about him. Instead, pray that good will come to him. You were called to do this so you might receive good things from God.

10 F or he that desires to love life and see the good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile;

For “If you want joy in your life and have happy days, keep your tongue from saying bad things and your lips from talking bad about others.

11 l et him separate himself from evil and do good; let him seek peace and follow it.

Turn away from what is sinful. Do what is good. Look for peace and go after it.

12 F or 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 those that do evil.

The Lord watches over those who are right with Him. He hears their prayers. But the Lord is against those who sin.”

13 A nd who is he that can harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good?

Who will hurt you if you do what is right?

14 B ut also if ye suffer anything for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye; therefore, be not afraid of their terror neither be troubled,

But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you will be happy. Do not be afraid or troubled by what they may do to make it hard for you.

15 b ut sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to respond to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and reverence,

Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God. Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect.

16 ¶ having a good conscience, so in that which they murmur against you as of evildoers, those that blaspheme your good conversation in the Christ may be confused.

Keep your heart telling you that you have done what is right. If men speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see the good way you have lived as a Christian.

17 F or it is better (if the will of God so desires) that ye suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

If God wants you to suffer, it is better to suffer for doing what is right than for doing what is wrong. Christ Suffered for Us

18 ¶ For the Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in spirit,

Christ suffered and died for sins once for all. He never sinned and yet He died for us who have sinned. He died so He might bring us to God. His body died but His spirit was made alive.

19 i n which he also went and preached unto the imprisoned spirits,

Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison.

20 w hich in the time past were disobedient, when once the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being made ready, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Those were the spirits of the people who would not obey in the days of Noah. God waited a long time for them while Noah was building the big boat. But only eight people were saved from dying when the earth was covered with water.

21 ¶ Unto the figure of which the baptism that does now correspond saves us (not taking away the uncleanness of the flesh, but giving testimony of a good conscience before God) by the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ,

This is like baptism to us. Baptism does not mean we wash our bodies clean. It means we are saved from the punishment of sin and go to God in prayer with a heart that says we are right. This can be done because Christ was raised from the dead.

22 w ho is at the right hand of God, having ascended into heaven, unto whom the angels and the authorities and powers are subject.

Christ has gone to heaven and is on the right side of God. Angels and powers of heaven are obeying Him.