1Peter 3

1 In a similar way, you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands so that, even if some of them refuse to obey the word, they may be won over without a word through your conduct as wivesISV — 1Peter 3:1

2 when they see your pure and reverent lives.ISV — 1Peter 3:2

3 Your beauty should not be an external one, consisting of braided hair or the wearing of gold ornaments and dresses.ISV — 1Peter 3:3

4 Instead, it should be the inner disposition of the heart, consisting in the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which God values greatly. ^{a3:4 Lit. which is of great value before God}ISV — 1Peter 3:4

5 After all, this is how holy women who set their hope on God used to make themselves beautiful in the past. They submitted themselves to their husbands,ISV — 1Peter 3:5

6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters by doing good and by not letting anything terrify you.ISV — 1Peter 3:6

7 In a similar way, you husbands must live with your wives in an understanding manner, as with a most delicate partner. ^{b3:7 Lit. with the weaker vessel} Honor them as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing may interfere with your prayers.ISV — 1Peter 3:7

8 Finally, all of you must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, and be compassionate and humble.ISV — 1Peter 3:8

9 Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.ISV — 1Peter 3:9

10 “For the person who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.ISV — 1Peter 3:10

11 He must turn away from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it.ISV — 1Peter 3:11

12 For the Lord ^{c3:12 MT source citation reads LORD} watches the righteous, ^{d3:12 Lit. the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous} and he pays attention to their prayers. ^{e3:12 Lit. and his ears are attentive to their prayer} But the Lord ^{f3:12 MT source citation reads LORD} opposes those ^{g3:12 Lit. the face of the Lord is against} who do wrong.” ^{h3:12 Cf. Ps 34:12-16}ISV — 1Peter 3:12

13 Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good?ISV — 1Peter 3:13

14 But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. “Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset.ISV — 1Peter 3:14

15 Instead, exalt ^{i3:15 Or set apart} the Messiah” ^{j3:15 Or Christ; cf. Isa 8:12} as Lord in your lives. ^{k3:15 Lit. hearts} Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have.ISV — 1Peter 3:15

16 But do this ^{l3:16 The Gk. lacks do this} gently and respectfully, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak evil of your good conduct in the Messiah ^{m3:16 Or Christ} will be ashamed of slandering you.ISV — 1Peter 3:16

17 After all, if it is the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.ISV — 1Peter 3:17

18 For the Messiah ^{n3:18 Or Christ} also suffered ^{o3:18 Other mss. read died} for sins once for all, an innocent person for the guilty, so that he could bring you ^{p3:18 Other mss. read us} to God. He was put to death in a mortal body but was brought to life by the Spirit,ISV — 1Peter 3:18

19 in which he went and made a proclamation to those imprisoned spiritsISV — 1Peter 3:19

20 who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah, when God waited patiently while the ark was being built. In it a few, that is, eight persons, were saved by water.ISV — 1Peter 3:20

21 Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear ^{q3:21 Lit. clean} conscience based on the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, ^{r3:21 Or Christ}ISV — 1Peter 3:21

22 who has gone to heaven and is at the right hand of God, where angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to him.ISV — 1Peter 3:22