1 Peter 3 - 2 Peter 3

English Standard Version

Wives and Husbands

3 Likewise, wives, ^(A)be subject to your own husbands, so that ^(B)even if some do not obey the word, ^(C)they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your ^(D)respectful and pure conduct. ^3 (E)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be ^(F)the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^(G)calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and ^(H)do not fear anything that is frightening.

⁷ Likewise, ^(I)husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker ^(J)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

⁸ Finally, all of you, ^(K)have unity of mind, sympathy, ^(L)brotherly love, ^(M)a tender heart, and ^(N)a humble mind. ^9 (O)Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, ^(P)bless, for ^(Q)to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. ¹⁰ For

¹³ Now ^(S)who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ^14 (T)But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. ^(U)Have no fear of them, ^(V)nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but ^(W)in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^(X)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 ^(Y)respect, ^16 (Z)having a good conscience, so that, ^(AA)when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For ^(AB)it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

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

Stewards of God's Grace

4 Since therefore ^(AQ)Christ suffered in the flesh,^{[f] (AR)}arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for ^(AS)whoever has suffered in the flesh ^(AT)has ceased from sin, ^2 (AU)so as to live for ^(AV)the rest of the time in the flesh ^(AW)no longer for human passions but ^(AX)for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past ^(AY)suffices ^(AZ)for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of ^(BA)debauchery, and ^(BB)they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready ^(BC)to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why ^(BD)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.

^7 (BE)The end of all things is at hand; therefore ^(BF)be self-controlled and sober-minded ^(BG)for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since ^(BH)love covers a multitude of sins. ^9 (BI)Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ^10 (BJ)As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, ^(BK)as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks ^(BL)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ^(BM)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything ^(BN)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ^(BO)To him belong glory and ^(BP)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at ^(BQ)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice ^(BR)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ^(BS)when his glory is revealed. ^14 (BT)If you are insulted ^(BU)for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory^[g] and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But ^(BV)let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or ^(BW)as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet ^(BX)if anyone suffers as a ^(BY)Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God ^(BZ)in that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment ^(CA)to begin at the household of God; and ^(CB)if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who ^(CC)do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will ^(CE)entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Shepherd the Flock of God

5 So I exhort the elders among you, ^(CF)as a fellow elder and ^(CG)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ^2 (CH)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,^{[i] (CI)}not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;^{[j] (CJ)}not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not ^(CK)domineering over those in your charge, but ^(CL)being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when ^(CM)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(CN)unfading ^(CO)crown of glory. ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. ^(CP)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ^(CQ)“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

^6 (CR)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ^7 (CS)casting all your anxieties on him, because ^(CT)he cares for you. ^8 (CU)Be sober-minded; ^(CV)be watchful. Your ^(CW)adversary the devil ^(CX)prowls around ^(CY)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 (CZ)Resist him, ^(DA)firm in your faith, knowing that ^(DB)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And ^(DC)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, ^(DD)who has called you to his ^(DE)eternal glory in Christ, will himself ^(DF)restore, ^(DG)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ^11 (DH)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹² By ^(DI)Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, ^(DJ)I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is ^(DK)the true grace of God. ^(DL)Stand firm in it. ¹³ She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does ^(DM)Mark, my son. ^14 (DN)Greet one another with the kiss of love.

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

Greeting

1 Simeon^[k] Peter, a servant^[l] and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained ^(DP)a faith of equal standing with ours ^(DQ)by the righteousness of our ^(DR)God and Savior Jesus Christ:

^2 (DS)May grace and peace be multiplied to you ^(DT)in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him ^(DU)who called us to^[m] his own glory and excellence,^{[n] 4} by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become ^(DV)partakers of the divine nature, ^(DW)having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith ^(DX)with virtue,^[o] and virtue ^(DY)with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control ^(DZ)with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness ^(EA)with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection ^(EB)with love. ⁸ For if these qualities^[p] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or ^(EC)unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he ^(ED)is blind, having forgotten that he was ^(EE)cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers,^[q] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and ^(EF)election, for if you practice these qualities ^(EG)you will never fall. ¹¹ For in this way there will be richly provided for you ^(EH)an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

¹² Therefore I intend ^(EI)always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in ^(EJ)the truth that you have. ¹³ I think it right, as long as I am in this ^(EK)body,^{[r] (EL)}to stir you up by way of reminder, ^14 (EM)since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, ^(EN)as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ¹⁵ And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

¹⁶ For we did not follow ^(EO)cleverly devised ^(EP)myths when we made known to you ^(EQ)the power and ^(ER)coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but ^(ES)we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ^(ET)“This is my beloved Son,^[s] with whom I am well pleased,” ¹⁸ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on ^(EU)the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And ^(EV)we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention ^(EW)as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until ^(EX)the day ^(EY)dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. ²¹ For ^(EZ)no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God ^(FA)as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

False Prophets and Teachers

2 But ^(FB)false prophets also arose among the people, ^(FC)just as there will be false teachers among you, who will ^(FD)secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master ^(FE)who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. ² And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth ^(FF)will be blasphemed. ³ And ^(FG)in their greed they will exploit you ^(FH)with false words. ^(FI)Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

⁴ For if God did not spare ^(FJ)angels when they sinned, but ^(FK)cast them into hell^[t] and committed them to chains^[u] of gloomy darkness ^(FL)to be kept until the judgment; ⁵ if he did not spare the ancient world, but ^(FM)preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought ^(FN)a flood upon the world of the ungodly; ⁶ if by ^(FO)turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, ^(FP)making them an example of ^(FQ)what is going to happen to the ungodly;^{[v] 7} and ^(FR)if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked ⁸ (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, ^(FS)he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); ⁹ then ^(FT)the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,^[w] and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰ and especially ^(FU)those who indulge^[x] in the lust of defiling passion and ^(FV)despise authority.

Bold and willful, they do not tremble ^(FW)as they blaspheme the glorious ones, ^11 (FX)whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. ^12 (FY)But these, like irrational animals, ^(FZ)creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, ¹³ suffering wrong as ^(GA)the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure ^(GB)to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions,^[y] while ^(GC)they feast with you. ¹⁴ They have eyes full of adultery,^{[z] (GD)}insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts ^(GE)trained in greed. ^(GF)Accursed children! ¹⁵ Forsaking the right way, ^(GG)they have gone astray. They have followed ^(GH)the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved ^(GI)gain from wrongdoing, ¹⁶ but was rebuked for his own transgression; ^(GJ)a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

^17 (GK)These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. ^(GL)For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸ For, ^(GM)speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely ^(GN)escaping from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them ^(GO)freedom, ^(GP)but they themselves are slaves^[aa] of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. ²⁰ For if, ^(GQ)after they have escaped the defilements of the world ^(GR)through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, ^(GS)the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For ^(GT)it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from ^(GU)the holy commandment delivered to them. ²² What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The ^(GV)dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

The Day of the Lord Will Come

3 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them ^(GW)I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, ^2 (GX)that you should remember the predictions of ^(GY)the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, ³ knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come ^(GZ)in the last days with scoffing, ^(HA)following their own sinful desires. ^4 (HB)They will say, “Where is the promise of ^(HC)his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth ^(HD)was formed out of water and through water ^(HE)by the word of God, ⁶ and that by means of these the world that then existed ^(HF)was deluged with water and ^(HG)perished. ⁷ But by the same word ^(HH)the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and ^(HI)destruction of the ungodly.

⁸ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and ^(HJ)a thousand years as one day. ^9 (HK)The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise ^(HL)as some count slowness, but ^(HM)is patient toward you,^{[ab] (HN)}not wishing that any should perish, but ^(HO)that all should reach repentance. ¹⁰ But ^(HP)the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then ^(HQ)the heavens will pass away with a roar, and ^(HR)the heavenly bodies^[ac] will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.^[ad]

¹¹ Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, ^(HS)what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, ^12 (HT)waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and ^(HU)the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! ¹³ But according to his promise we are waiting for ^(HV)new heavens and a new earth ^(HW)in which righteousness dwells.

Final Words

^14 (HX)Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him ^(HY)without spot or ^(HZ)blemish, and ^(IA)at peace. ¹⁵ And count ^(IB)the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as ^(IC)our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you ^(ID)according to the wisdom given him, ¹⁶ as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. ^(IE)There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, ^(IF)as they do the other Scriptures. ¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, ^(IG)knowing this beforehand, ^(IH)take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. ¹⁸ But ^(II)grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ^(IJ)To him be the glory both now and to the day of ^(IK)eternity. Amen.