Wives and Husbands

3 Wives, in the same way, be subject to your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct,^{(A) 2} when they see the purity and respect of your conduct. ³ Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing;^{(B) 4} rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.^{(C) 5} It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by being subject to their husbands. ⁶ Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.^(D)

⁷ Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman—though the weaker vessel,^[a] they are joint heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.^(E)

Suffering for Doing Right

⁸ Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.^{(F) 9} Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.^{(G) 10} For

¹³ Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you do suffer for doing what is right,^[b] you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear,^[c] and do not be intimidated,^{(H) 15} but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you,^{(I) 16} yet do it with gentleness and respect. Maintain a good conscience so that, when you are maligned,^[d] those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.^{(J) 17} For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered^[e] for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you^[f] to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,^{(K) 19} in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, ²⁰ who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight lives, were saved through water.^{(L) 21} And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for^[g] a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(M) 22} who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.^(N)