23 (A)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, (B)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 (C)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we (D)might die to sin and (E)live to righteousness. (F)By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For (G)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to (H)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

Likewise, wives, (I)be subject to your own husbands, so that (J)even if some do not obey the word, (K)they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your (L)respectful and pure conduct. (M)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be (N)the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, (O)calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and (P)do not fear anything that is frightening.

Likewise, (Q)husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker (R)vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Suffering for Righteousness' Sake

Finally, all of you, (S)have unity of mind, sympathy, (T)brotherly love, (U)a tender heart, and (V)a humble mind. (W)Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, (X)bless, for (Y)to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

(Z)“Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do 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 prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Now (AA)who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 (AB)But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. (AC)Have no fear of them, (AD)nor be troubled, 15 but (AE)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, (AF)always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and (AG)respect, 16 (AH)having a good conscience, so that, (AI)when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For (AJ)it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also (AK)suffered[b] (AL)once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, (AM)that he might bring us to God, being put to death (AN)in the flesh but made alive (AO)in the spirit, 19 in which[c] he went and (AP)proclaimed[d] to the spirits in prison, 20 because[e] they formerly did not obey, (AQ)when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, (AR)while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, (AS)eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, (AT)now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but (AU)as an appeal to God for a good conscience, (AV)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and (AW)is at the right hand of God, (AX)with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Stewards of God's Grace

Since therefore (AY)Christ suffered in the flesh,[f] (AZ)arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for (BA)whoever has suffered in the flesh (BB)has ceased from sin, (BC)so as to live for (BD)the rest of the time in the flesh (BE)no longer for human passions but (BF)for the will of God. For the time that is past (BG)suffices (BH)for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of (BI)debauchery, and (BJ)they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready (BK)to judge the living and the dead. For this is why (BL)the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

(BM)The end of all things is at hand; therefore (BN)be self-controlled and sober-minded (BO)for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since (BP)love covers a multitude of sins. (BQ)Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 (BR)As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, (BS)as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks (BT)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves (BU)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything (BV)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (BW)To him belong glory and (BX)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at (BY)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice (BZ)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad (CA)when his glory is revealed.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:7 Some manuscripts since you are joint heirs
  2. 1 Peter 3:18 Some manuscripts died
  3. 1 Peter 3:19 Or the Spirit, in whom
  4. 1 Peter 3:19 Or preached
  5. 1 Peter 3:20 Or when
  6. 1 Peter 4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you

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