1 Peter 3-4

Christian Standard Bible

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

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

Following Christ

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered^[m] in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding^[n]—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished^(AR) with sin^[o]— ² in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.^{(AS) 3} For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,^(AT) drunkenness, orgies,^(AU) carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander^[p] you. ⁵ They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(AV) 6} For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,^[q](AW) so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards,^(AX) they might live^(AY) in the spirit according to God’s standards.

End-Time Ethics

⁷ The end of all things is near;^(AZ) therefore, be alert and sober-minded^(BA) for prayer. ⁸ Above all, maintain constant love^(BB) for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.^{[r](BC) 9} Be hospitable^(BD) to one another without complaining. ¹⁰ Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others,^(BE) as good stewards of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides,^(BF) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Suffering

¹² Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.^{(BG) 13} Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ,^(BH) so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.^{(BI) 14} If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,^(BJ) you are blessed, because the Spirit^(BK) of glory and of God^[s] rests on you. ¹⁵ Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.^{[t] 16} But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.^{[u] 17} For the time has come for judgment^(BL) to begin with God’s household,^(BM) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

¹⁹ So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves^(BO) to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.