1 Peter, Chapter 3

1. Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any do not obey the word, they also may without the word be won by the conduct of the wives;    2. While they see your chaste conduct coupled with fear,    3. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of interweaving the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of garments;    4. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great value.    5. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:    6. Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any alarm.    7. Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; so that your prayers are not hindered.    8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion on one another, love as brethren, be tenderhearted, be courteous:    9. Not repaying evil for evil, or insults for insults: but on the contrary blessing; knowing that you are called to this, that you should inherit a blessing.    10. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:    11. Let him turn from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.    12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.    13. And who is he that will harm you, if you are followers of that which is good?    14. But if you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;    15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:    16. Having a good conscience; that, although they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ.    17. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.    18. For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit:    19. By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison;    20. Which at one time were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built, in which a few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.    21. This represents baptism which also now saves us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the response of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:    22. Who has gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.