[1] Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some,
though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior
of their wives, [2] when they see your reverent and chaste behavior. [3]
Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of
gold, and wearing of fine clothing, [4] but let it be the hidden person of
the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which
in God's sight is very precious. [5] So once the holy women who hoped in
God used to adorn themselves and were submissive to their husbands, [6] as
Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are now her children if you
do right and let nothing terrify you. [7] Likewise you husbands, live
considerately with your wives, bestowing honor on the woman as the weaker
sex, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your
prayers may not be hindered. [8] Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit,
sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. [9] Do
not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary
bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing.
[10] For "He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his
tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; [11] let him turn away
from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes
of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil." [13] Now who is
there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? [14] But even if
you do suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of
them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account
for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; [16]
and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who
revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. [17] For it is
better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for
doing wrong. [18] For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous
for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in
the flesh but made alive in the spirit; [19] in which he went and preached
to the spirits in prison, [20] who formerly did not obey, when God's
patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in
which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. [21]
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt
from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at the
right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
