1 Peter 3

1In the same way, wives, submit to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live,

2when they see your pure and reverent conduct.

3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes.

4Instead, it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.

5For this is how the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted to their own husbands,

6as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You have become her children if you do what is right and are not frightened by any threat.

7Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with understanding, since they are the weaker vessel, and show them honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, sympathetic, loving toward one another as brothers and sisters, compassionate, and humble.

9Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult. On the contrary, bless, because you were called to this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

10For, “Whoever wants to love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from speaking deceit.

11They must turn away from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.

12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do good?

14But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats, and do not be shaken.

15But in your hearts treat Christ as the holy Lord. Always be ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you to explain the hope that is in you, but do it with gentleness and respect,

16keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who speak maliciously against your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

19in which he also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison,

20who were disobedient long ago, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it a few people, eight in all, were brought safely through the water.

21This water prefigures baptism, which now saves you also, not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.