²⁰ When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will ^(A)honor their husbands, both great and small.”

The Christian Home^(A)

^18 (B)Wives, submit to your own husbands, ^(C)as is fitting in the Lord.

Submission to Husbands

3 Wives, likewise, be ^(A)submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, ^(B)they, without a word, may ^(C)be won by the conduct of their wives, ^2 (D)when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. ^3 (E)Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— ⁴ rather let it be ^(F)the hidden person of the heart, with the ^[a]incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. ⁵ For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^(G)calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

A Word to Husbands

^7 (H)Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, ^(I)as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, ^(J)that your prayers may not be hindered.

³³ Nevertheless ^(A)let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she ^(B)respects her husband.

Marriage—Christ and the Church^(A)

²² Wives, ^(B)submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

²¹ Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; ^(A)so you shall put away the evil from among you, ^(B)and all Israel shall hear and fear.

^13 (A)And all the people shall hear and fear, and no longer act presumptuously.