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, 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 a s they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

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

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

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 person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, 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 in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to 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 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.

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 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.

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Who will hurt you if you do what is right?

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 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 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;

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 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.

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

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 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;

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

Christ 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.

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 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,

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 gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

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