Wives and Husbands

3 In the same way, wives,^(A) submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word,^(B) they may be won over^(C) without a word by the way their wives live^{(D) 2} when they observe your pure, reverent lives.^{(E) 3} Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes,^{(F) 4} but rather what is inside the heart^[a](G)—the imperishable quality of a gentle^(H) and quiet^(I) spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ⁵ For in the past, the holy^(J) women who put their hope^(K) in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ just as Sarah^(L) obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.^(M)

⁷ Husbands,^(N) in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner,^(O) showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

⁸ Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another,^(P) and be compassionate^(Q) and humble,^{[b] 9} not paying back evil for evil^(R) or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing,^(S) since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Undeserved Suffering

¹³ Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness,^(Z) you are blessed. Do not fear them^[c](AA) or be intimidated,^{[d](AB) 15} but in your hearts regard^[e] Christ^[f] the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.^{(AC) 16} Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience,^(AD) so that when you are accused,^[g] those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer^(AE) for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

¹⁸ For Christ also suffered^(AF) for sins once for all,^(AG) the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.^(AH) He was put to death in the flesh^[h](AI) but made alive by the Spirit,^{[i] 19} in which^[j] he also went and made proclamation to the spirits^(AJ) in prison ²⁰ who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah^(AK) while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people^[k](AL)—were saved through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body,^(AM) but the pledge^[l] of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^{(AN) 22} who has gone into heaven^(AO) and is at the right hand of God^(AP) with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.^(AQ)