1 Peter 3

1Likewise, wives, being subject to your own husbands, so that even if some are disobeying the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives,

2when they observe your pure conduct in fear.

3Do not let your adornment be the outward one—braiding of hair, wearing of gold jewelry, or putting on of clothing—

4but the hidden person of the heart, in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious before God.

5For in this way formerly also the holy women who hoped in God adorned themselves, submitting to their own husbands,

6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children if you do good and do not fear any intimidation.

7Likewise, husbands, living together with your wives according to knowledge, assigning honor to the woman as to a weaker vessel, as also fellow heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, sympathetic, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, humble-minded,

9not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary blessing, because you were called to this, so that you might inherit a blessing.

10For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

11But let him turn away from evil and do good; let him 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.

13And who will harm you if you become zealous for what is good?

14But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, nor be troubled,

15But regard Messiah the Lord as holy in your hearts, always ready for a defense to everyone who asks you for a reason concerning the hope that is in you,

16but with gentleness and fear, having a good conscience, so that in what you are slandered, those who revile your good conduct in Messiah may be put to shame.

17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if the will of God should so will it, than for doing evil.

18For Messiah also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that he might bring you to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

19in which also he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,

20who formerly were disobedient, when the patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared, into which a few—that is, eight persons—were brought safely through water.

21Corresponding to that, baptism now also saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah,

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