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;

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 W hile they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

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

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;

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 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.

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 trusted in 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 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.

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 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.

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 F inally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be 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 railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

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 will love life, and see 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 eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue 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 them 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 will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

Who will hurt you if you do what is right?

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 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 give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

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 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.

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 be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

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 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:

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

Christ went and preached to the spirits 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.

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 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:

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

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