The Christian Household

²² Wives, be subject^[a] to your husbands as to the Lord,^(A)

Rules for Christian Households

¹⁸ Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.^{(A) 19} Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord.^{(B) 21} Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. ²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters^[a] in everything, not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.^{[b](C) 23} Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans, ²⁴ since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.^{(D) 25} For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.^(E) 4 ¹ Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

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)

¹⁶ To the woman he said,

⁵ to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.^(A)