Marriage—Christ and the Church^(A)

²² Wives, ^(B)submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For ^(C)the husband is head of the wife, as also ^(D)Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands ^(E)in everything.

^25 (F)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and ^(G)gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might ^[a]sanctify and cleanse her ^(H)with the washing of water ^(I)by the word, ^27 (J)that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, ^(K)not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ³⁰ For ^(L)we are members of His body, ^[b]of His flesh and of His bones. ^31 (M)“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the ^(N)two shall become one flesh.” ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless ^(O)let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she ^(P)respects her husband.

Children and Parents^(Q)

6 Children, ^(R)obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ^2 (S)“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: ³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

⁴ And ^(T)you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but ^(U)bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

The Christian Home^(A)

^18 (B)Wives, submit to your own husbands, ^(C)as is fitting in the Lord.

^19 (D)Husbands, love your wives and do not be ^(E)bitter toward them.

^20 (F)Children, obey your parents ^(G)in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

^21 (H)Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Submission to Husbands

3 Wives, likewise, be ^(A)submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, ^(B)they, without a word, may ^(C)be won by the conduct of their wives, ^2 (D)when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. ^3 (E)Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— ⁴ rather let it be ^(F)the hidden person of the heart, with the ^[a]incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. ⁵ For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^(G)calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

A Word to Husbands

^7 (H)Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, ^(I)as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, ^(J)that your prayers may not be hindered.

¹⁵ But ^[a]sanctify ^[b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always ^(A)be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the ^(B)hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

⁹ in like manner also, that the ^(A)women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and ^[a]moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, ^10 (B)but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

^2 (A)for kings and ^(B)all who are in ^[a]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and ^[b]reverence.

The Virtuous Wife