1 L ikewise, 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;

In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,

2 W hile they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

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

Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;

4 B ut 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.

but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

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

For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;

6 E ven as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

7 L ikewise, 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.

You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

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

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

9 N ot rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

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

For, “ The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

11 L et him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

“ He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue 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 them that do evil.

“ For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

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

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

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

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,

15 B ut 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:

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

16 H aving 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.

and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

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

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

18 F or 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:

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

19 B y which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,

20 W hich 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.

who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

21 T he 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:

Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you— not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

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

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