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1 Peter 3 - 2 Peter 1
New Living Translation

Wives

3 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.

3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

Husbands

7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

All Christians

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life
    and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
    and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
    against those who do evil.”[b]

Suffering for Doing Good

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[c] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

18 Christ suffered[d] for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.[e]

19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.[f] 21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from[g] a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

Living for God

4 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.[h] 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead[i]—so although they were destined to die like all people,[j] they now live forever with God in the Spirit.[k]

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God[l] rests upon you.[m] 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also,

“If the righteous are barely saved,
    what will happen to godless sinners?”[n]

19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Advice for Elders and Young Men

5 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”[o]

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[p] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.

Peter’s Final Greetings

12 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas,[q] whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

13 Your sister church here in Babylon[r] sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet each other with a kiss of love.

Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.

Greetings from Peter

1 This letter is from Simon[s] Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness[t] of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Growing in Faith

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

10 So, dear brothers and sisters,[u] work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Paying Attention to Scripture

12 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.[v] 14 For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life,[w] 15 so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.

16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”[x] 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines[y] in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,[z] 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

Footnotes

  1. 3:8 Greek Show brotherly love.
  2. 3:10-12 Ps 34:12-16.
  3. 3:16 Some English translations put this sentence in verse 15.
  4. 3:18a Some manuscripts read died.
  5. 3:18b Or in spirit.
  6. 3:20 Greek saved through water.
  7. 3:21 Or as an appeal to God for.
  8. 4:1 Or For the one [or One] who has suffered physically has finished with sin.
  9. 4:6a Greek preached even to the dead.
  10. 4:6b Or so although people had judged them worthy of death.
  11. 4:6c Or in spirit.
  12. 4:14a Or for the glory of God, which is his Spirit.
  13. 4:14b Some manuscripts add On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
  14. 4:18 Prov 11:31 (Greek version).
  15. 5:5 Prov 3:34 (Greek version).
  16. 5:9 Greek your brotherhood.
  17. 5:12 Greek Silvanus.
  18. 5:13 Greek The elect one in Babylon. Babylon was probably symbolic for Rome.
  19. 1:1a Greek Simeon.
  20. 1:1b Or to you in the righteousness.
  21. 1:10 Greek brothers.
  22. 1:13 Greek as long as I am in this tent [or tabernacle].
  23. 1:14 Greek I must soon put off my tent [or tabernacle].
  24. 1:17 Matt 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35.
  25. 1:19 Or rises.
  26. 1:20 Or is a matter of one’s own interpretation.
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1 Peter 3 - 2 Peter 1
New International Version

3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves(A) to your own husbands(B) so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over(C) without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.(D) 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self,(E) the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.(F) 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God(G) used to adorn themselves.(H) They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.(I) You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7 Husbands,(J) in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded,(K) be sympathetic, love one another,(L) be compassionate and humble.(M) 9 Do not repay evil with evil(N) or insult with insult.(O) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,(P) because to this(Q) you were called(R) so that you may inherit a blessing.(S) 10 For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a](T)

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?(U) 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.(V) “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c](W) 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(X) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope(Y) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,(Z) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.(AA) 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will,(AB) to suffer for doing good(AC) than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once(AD) for sins,(AE) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.(AF) He was put to death in the body(AG) but made alive in the Spirit.(AH) 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits(AI)— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently(AJ) in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.(AK) In it only a few people, eight in all,(AL) were saved(AM) through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you(AN) also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience(AO) toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,(AP) 22 who has gone into heaven(AQ) and is at God’s right hand(AR)—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.(AS)

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,(AT) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.(AU) 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,(AV) but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past(AW) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.(AX) 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.(AY) 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.(AZ) 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,(BA) so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7 The end of all things is near.(BB) Therefore be alert and of sober mind(BC) so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply,(BD) because love covers over a multitude of sins.(BE) 9 Offer hospitality(BF) to one another without grumbling.(BG) 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,(BH) as faithful(BI) stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.(BJ) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,(BK) so that in all things God may be praised(BL) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(BM)

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(BN) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(BO) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(BP) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(BQ) 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,(BR) you are blessed,(BS) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.(BT) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;(BU) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(BV) 18 And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[f](BW)

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will(BX) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

To the Elders and the Flock

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder(BY) and a witness(BZ) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:(CA) 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock(CB) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;(CC) not pursuing dishonest gain,(CD) but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over(CE) those entrusted to you, but being examples(CF) to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd(CG) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(CH) that will never fade away.(CI)

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves(CJ) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility(CK) toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[g](CL)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(CM) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him(CN) because he cares for you.(CO)

8 Be alert and of sober mind.(CP) Your enemy the devil prowls around(CQ) like a roaring lion(CR) looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him,(CS) standing firm in the faith,(CT) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(CU)

10 And the God of all grace, who called you(CV) to his eternal glory(CW) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,(CX) will himself restore you and make you strong,(CY) firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.(CZ)

Final Greetings

12 With the help of Silas,[h](DA) whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,(DB) encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.(DC)

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.(DD) 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.(DE)

Peace(DF) to all of you who are in Christ.

1 Simon Peter, a servant(DG) and apostle of Jesus Christ,(DH)

To those who through the righteousness(DI) of our God and Savior Jesus Christ(DJ) have received a faith as precious as ours:

2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance(DK) through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.(DL)

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

3 His divine power(DM) has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him(DN) who called us(DO) by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,(DP) so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,(DQ) having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.(DR)

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;(DS) 6 and to knowledge, self-control;(DT) and to self-control, perseverance;(DU) and to perseverance, godliness;(DV) 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.(DW) 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive(DX) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.(DY) 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,(DZ) forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.(EA)

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[i] make every effort to confirm your calling(EB) and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,(EC) 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom(ED) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.(EE)

Prophecy of Scripture

12 So I will always remind you of these things,(EF) even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth(EG) you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory(EH) as long as I live in the tent of this body,(EI) 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside,(EJ) as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.(EK) 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure(EL) you will always be able to remember these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power,(EM) but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.(EN) 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[j](EO) 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.(EP)

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,(EQ) and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light(ER) shining in a dark place, until the day dawns(ES) and the morning star(ET) rises in your hearts.(EU) 20 Above all, you must understand(EV) that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God(EW) as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.(EX)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
  2. 1 Peter 3:14 Or fear what they fear
  3. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12
  4. 1 Peter 3:19 Or but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also
  5. 1 Peter 3:21 Or but an appeal to God for a clear conscience
  6. 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
  7. 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
  8. 1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
  9. 2 Peter 1:10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  10. 2 Peter 1:17 Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35
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