Chapter 3
1 In the same way , wives , be in subjection to your own husbands, so that , even if any don’ t obey the Word , they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word ,
2 seeing your pure behavior in fear .
3 Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair , and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing ,
4 but from the hidden person of the heart , in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit , which is very precious in God ’s sight .
5 For this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves , being in subjection to their own husbands.
6 So Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord , whose children you now are if you do well and are not put in fear by any terror.
7 You husbands, in the same way , live with your wives according to knowledge , giving honor to the woman as to the weaker vessel , as also being joint heirs of the grace of life , that your prayers may not be hindered .
8 Finally , all of you be like-minded, compassionate , loving as brothers, tenderhearted , courteous,
9 not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult ; but instead blessing , knowing that you were called to this , that you may inherit a blessing .
10 For , " He who would love life and see good days , let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit .
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good . Let him seek peace and pursue it .
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous , and his ears open to their prayer ; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil ."
13 Now who will harm you if you become imitators of that which is good ?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness ’ sake , you are blessed . "Don’ t fear what they fear , neither be troubled ."
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts . Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you , with humility and fear ,
16 having a good conscience . Thus , while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ .
17 For it is better , if it is God ’s will , that you suffer for doing what is right than for doing evil .
18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God , being put to death in the flesh , but made alive in the Spirit ,
19 in whom he also went and preached to the spirits in prison ,
20 who before were disobedient when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ship was being built . In it , few , that is , eight souls , were saved through water .
21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you — not the putting away of the filth of the flesh , but the answer of a good conscience toward God — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ ,
22 who is at the right hand of God , having gone into heaven , angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him .