1 I n 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,

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

2 a s they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

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

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—

4 b ut 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.

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

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

For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

6 j ust 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.

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. A Word to Husbands

7 Y ou 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.

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. Called to Blessing

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

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

9 n ot 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.

not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

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

For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

11 “ He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it.

Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 “ 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.”

For the eyes of the L ord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the L ord is against those who do evil.” Suffering for Right and Wrong

13 W ho is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

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

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

15 b ut 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;

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

16 a nd 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.

having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

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

For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Christ’s Suffering and Ours

18 F or 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;

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

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

by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

20 w ho 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.

who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

21 C orresponding 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,

There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

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

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.