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

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.