Wives and Husbands

3 In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they^[a] see your respectful, pure conduct. ³ Let your^[b] adornment not be the external kind, braiding hair and putting on gold jewelry or putting on fine clothing, ⁴ but the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is highly valuable in the sight of God. ⁵ For in the same way formerly the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves by^[c] being subject to their own husbands, ⁶ like Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you have become when you^[d] do good and are not frightened with respect to any terror.

⁷ Husbands, in the same way live with your wives knowledgeably^[e], as with the weaker female vessel, showing them honor as fellow heirs also of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Called to Inherit a Blessing

⁸ And finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, showing mutual affection, compassionate, humble, ⁹ not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the other hand blessing others, because for this reason you were called, so that you could inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For

Suffer for Doing What is Good

¹³ And who is the one who will harm you if you are a zealous adherent for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you might suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their intimidation or be disturbed,^{[h] 15} but set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you for an accounting concerning the hope that is in you. ¹⁶ But do so with courtesy and respect, having a good conscience, so that in the things in which you are slandered, the ones who malign your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it^[i], than for doing evil.

²⁰ who were formerly disobedient, when the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while^[j] an ark was being constructed, in which a few—that is, eight souls—were rescued through water. ²¹ And^[k] also, corresponding to this, 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, ²² who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, with angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to him.