Wives and Husbands

3 In the same way, wives,^(A) submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word,^(B) they may be won over^(C) without a word by the way their wives live^{(D) 2} when they observe your pure, reverent lives.^{(E) 3} Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewellery or fine clothes,^{(F) 4} but rather what is inside the heart^[a](G) – the imperishable quality of a gentle^(H) and quiet^(I) spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For in the past, the holy^(J) women who put their hope^(K) in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ just as Sarah^(L) obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.^(M)

⁷ Husbands,^(N) in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner,^(O) showing them honour as co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

⁸ Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another,^(P) and be compassionate^(Q) and humble,^{[b] 9} not paying back evil for evil^(R) or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing,^(S) since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Undeserved Suffering

¹³ Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(Y) you are blessed. Do not fear them^[d](Z)or be intimidated,^{[e](AA) 15} but in your hearts regard^[f] Christ^[g] the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.^{(AB) 16} Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,^(AC) so that when you are accused,^[h] those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer^(AD) for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered^(AE) for sins once for all,^(AF) the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.^(AG) He was put to death in the flesh^[i](AH) but made alive by the Spirit,^{[j] 19} in which^[k] he also went and made proclamation to the spirits^(AI) in prison ²⁰ who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah^(AJ) while the ark was being prepared. In it a few – that is, eight people^[l](AK) – were saved through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body,^(AL) but the pledge^[m] of a good conscience towards God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(AM) 22} who has gone into heaven^(AN) and is at the right hand of God^(AO) with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.^(AP)