1 Peter 3
Evangelical Heritage Version
Wives and Husbands
3 Wives, in the same way, be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they might be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your respectful and holy behavior. 3 Do not let your beauty be something outward, such as braided hair or wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather let your beauty be the hidden person of your heart—the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 5 In fact, this is also how the holy women of the past who put their hope in God made themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord.[a] You are her daughters if you do what is good and do not fear anything that is intimidating.
7 Husbands, in the same way, continue to live with your wives with the knowledge that, as the wife, she is the weaker vessel.[b] Also continue to accord them honor as fellow heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
General Exhortations
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another. Show sympathy, brotherly love, compassion, and humility.[c] 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. Instead, speak a blessing, because you were called for the purpose of inheriting a blessing. 10 Indeed:
Let the one who wants to love life
and to see good days
keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from saying anything deceitful.
11 Let him turn from evil and do what is good.
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their requests.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.[d]
Suffering for Doing Good
13 Who will harm you if you are eager to do[e] what is good? 14 But even if you should happen to suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear,[f] and do not be troubled. 15 But regard the Lord, the Christ,[g] as holy in your hearts.[h] Always be prepared to give an answer[i] to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.[j]
The Suffering and Exaltation of Christ
17 Indeed, it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, 18 because Christ also suffered once for sins in our place,[k] the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you[l] to God. He was put to death in flesh[m] but was made alive in spirit,[n] 19 in which he also went and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. 20 These spirits disobeyed long ago, when God’s patience was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee[o] of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 He went to heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 3:6 Genesis 18:12
- 1 Peter 3:7 Weaker vessel is a literal translation. Some understand vessel as a reference to the body (1 Samuel 21:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:4) and to physical weakness. Others understand vessel as a reference to God-given roles (Acts 9:15; 2 Timothy 2:20-21) and to more limited authority. It may include both ideas.
- 1 Peter 3:8 A few witnesses to the text read friendliness.
- 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
- 1 Peter 3:13 A few witnesses to the text read if you are followers of.
- 1 Peter 3:14 Or Do not be afraid of them
- 1 Peter 3:15 A few witnesses to the text read God instead of the Christ.
- 1 Peter 3:15 See Isaiah 8:12-13.
- 1 Peter 3:15 Or to give a defense
- 1 Peter 3:16 A few witnesses to the text omit as evildoers.
- 1 Peter 3:18 Some witnesses to the text omit in our place.
- 1 Peter 3:18 Some witnesses to the text read us.
- 1 Peter 3:18 Here flesh is a reference to Christ’s state of humiliation. See Romans 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:16.
- 1 Peter 3:18 Here spirit is a reference to Christ’s state of exaltation. See Romans 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:16.
- 1 Peter 3:21 Or legal claim, or assurance
1 Peter 3
Contemporary English Version
Wives and Husbands
3 (A) If you are a wife, you must put your husband first. Even if he opposes our message, you will win him over by what you do. No one else will have to say anything to him, 2 because he will see how you honor God and live a pure life. 3 (B) Don't depend on things like fancy hairdos or gold jewelry or expensive clothes to make you look beautiful. 4 Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.
5 Long ago those women who worshiped God and put their hope in him made themselves beautiful by putting their husbands first. 6 For example, Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her true children, if you do right and don't let anything frighten you.
7 (C) If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn't as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.
Suffering for Doing Right
8 Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. 9 Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,
10 (D) “Do you really love life?
Do you want to be happy?
Then stop saying cruel things
and quit telling lies.
11 Give up your evil ways
and do right,
as you find and follow
the road to peace.
12 The Lord watches over
everyone who obeys him,
and he listens
to their prayers.
But he opposes everyone
who does evil.”
13 Can anyone really harm you for being eager to do good deeds? 14 (E)(F) Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don't worry about what people might do. 15 Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life.
Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. 16 Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ. 17 You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong.
18 Christ died once for our sins.
An innocent person died
for those who are guilty.
Christ did this
to bring you to God,
when his body
was put to death
and his spirit
was made alive.
19 Christ then preached to the spirits that were being kept in prison. 20 (G)(H) They had disobeyed God while Noah was building the boat, but God had been patient with them. Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood.
21 Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death. 22 Christ is now in heaven, where he sits at the right side[a] of God. All angels, authorities, and powers are under his control.
Footnotes
- 3.22 right side: The place of honor and power.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.
