1 Peter 3:1-6
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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)
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1 Peter 3:1-6
New English Translation
Wives and Husbands
3 In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then,[a] even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live,[b] 2 when they see your pure and reverent conduct.[c] 3 Let your[d] beauty[e] not be external—the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry[f] or fine clothes— 4 but the inner person[g] of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 5 For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands, 6 like Sarah who obeyed[h] Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children[i] when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.[j]
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- 1 Peter 3:1 tn Grk “that…they may be won over,” showing the purpose of “being subject” (vs. 1b). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- 1 Peter 3:1 tn Grk “by the wives’ behavior.”
- 1 Peter 3:2 tn Grk “behavior,” the same word translated “the way you live” in vs. 1.
- 1 Peter 3:3 tn Grk “whose,” referring to the wives.
- 1 Peter 3:3 tn Or “adornment.”
- 1 Peter 3:3 tn The word “jewelry” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate that gold ornaments or jewelry is intended; otherwise the reader might assume wearing gold-colored clothing was forbidden.
- 1 Peter 3:4 tn Grk “the hidden man.” KJV’s “the hidden man of the heart,” referring to a wife, could be seriously misunderstood by the modern English reader.
- 1 Peter 3:6 tn Grk “as Sarah obeyed.”
- 1 Peter 3:6 tn Grk “whose children you become.”
- 1 Peter 3:6 tn Grk “doing good and not fearing any intimidation.”
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