Wives and Husbands

1 Likewise, wives, ^kbe subject to your own husbands, so that ^leven if some do not obey the word, ^mthey may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,

2 when they see your ⁿrespectful and pure conduct. 3 ^oDo not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be ^pthe hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, ^qcalling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and ^rdo not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, ^shusbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker ^tvessel, since they are heirs with you¹ of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake

8 Finally, all of you, ^uhave unity of mind, sympathy, ^vbrotherly love, ^wa tender heart, and ^xa humble mind. 9 ^yDo not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, ^zbless, for ^ato this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

13 Now ^cwho is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 ^dBut even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. ^eHave no fear of them, ^fnor be troubled, 15 but ^gin your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ^halways being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and ⁱrespect, 16 ^jhaving a good conscience, so that, ^kwhen you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For ^lit is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also ^msuffered^{2 n}once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, ^othat he might bring us to God, being put to death ^pin the flesh but made alive ^qin the spirit, 19 in which³ he went and ^qproclaimed⁴ to the spirits in prison, 20 because⁵ they formerly did not obey, ^rwhen God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, ^swhile the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, ^teight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, ^unow saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but ^vas an appeal to God for a good conscience, ^wthrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and ^xis at the right hand of God, ^ywith angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Stewards of God’s Grace

1 Since therefore ^zChrist suffered in the flesh,^{6 a}arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for ^bwhoever has suffered in the flesh ^chas ceased from sin, 2 ^dso as to live for ^ethe rest of the time in the flesh ^fno longer for human passions but ^gfor the will of God. 3 For the time that is past ^hsuffices ⁱfor doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of ^jdebauchery, and ^kthey malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready ^lto judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why ^mthe gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 ⁿThe end of all things is at hand; therefore ^obe self-controlled and sober-minded ^pfor the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since ^qlove covers a multitude of sins. 9 ^rShow hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 ^sAs each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, ^tas good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks ^uoracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ^vby the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything ^wGod may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ^xTo him belong glory and ^ydominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at ^zthe fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice ^ainsofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ^bwhen his glory is revealed. 14 ^cIf you are insulted ^dfor the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory⁷ and of God rests upon you. 15 But ^elet none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or ^fas a meddler. 16 Yet ^eif anyone suffers as a ^gChristian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God ^din that name. 17 For it is time for judgment ^hto begin at the household of God; and ⁱif it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who ^jdo not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will ^lentrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Shepherd the Flock of God

1 So I exhort the elders among you, ^mas a fellow elder and ⁿa witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 ^oshepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,^{9 p}not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;^{10 q}not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not ^rdomineering over those in your charge, but ^sbeing examples to the flock. 4 And when ^tthe chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^uunfading ^vcrown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. ^wClothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ^x“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 ^xHumble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 ^ycasting all your anxieties on him, because ^zhe cares for you. 8 ^aBe sober-minded; ^bbe watchful. Your ^cadversary the devil ^dprowls around ^elike a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 ^fResist him, ^gfirm in your faith, knowing that ^hthe same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And ⁱafter you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, ^jwho has called you to his ^keternal glory in Christ, will himself ^lrestore, ^mconfirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 ⁿTo him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12 By ^oSilvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, ^pI have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is ^qthe true grace of God. ^rStand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does ^sMark, my son. 14 ^tGreet one another with the kiss of love.

^uPeace to all of you who are in Christ.