1 Likewise, lwives, mbe subject to your own husbands, so that neven if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and opure conduct. 3 pDo 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 the qhidden 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, rcalling him lord. And syou are ther children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, uhusbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are vheirs with you1 of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you, have wunity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a xtender heart, and a yhumble mind. 9 zDo not repay evil for evil or areviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that byou may obtain a blessing. 10 For
c“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
dlet him eseek peace and pursue it.
12 For 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.”
13 Now fwho is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be gblessed. hHave no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ialways 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 respect, 16 having a good conscience, jso that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than kfor doing evil.
18 For lChrist also suffered2 once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, mthat he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 nin which3 he went and proclaimed4 to the spirits in prison, 20 because5 they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, owhile the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 pBaptism, which corresponds to this, qnow saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the rright hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
1 Since therefore sChrist suffered in the flesh,6 tarm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for uwhoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human vpassions but for the will of God. 3 For the wtime that is past suffices for doing what the xGentiles 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 debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will ygive account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the zgospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might alive in the spirit the way God does.
7 The end of all things is bat hand; therefore be self-controlled and csober-minded dfor the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, ekeep loving one another earnestly, since love fcovers a multitude of sins. 9 gShow hospitality to one another hwithout grumbling. 10 iAs each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good jstewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. kTo him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to ltest you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But mrejoice insofar as you nshare Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are oinsulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the pSpirit of glory7 and of God rests upon you. 15 qBut let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone rsuffers as a sChristian, let him not be tashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment uto begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for vthose who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
w“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”8
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will xentrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
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