1 Peter 3

Williams(i) 1 You married women, in the same way, must be submissive to your husbands, so that, if any of them do not believe the message, they may be won over without a word through the living of the wives, 2 when they see how chaste and respectful you are. 3 Your adornments must be not of an external nature, with braids of hair or ornaments of gold, or changes of dress, 4 but they must be of an internal nature, the character concealed in the heart, in the imperishable quality of a quiet and gentle spirit, which is of great value in the sight of God. 5 For this is the way the pious women of olden times, who set their hope on God, used to adorn themselves. 6 They were submissive to their husbands, as Sarah, for example, obeyed Abraham and called him master. You have become true daughters of hers, if you practice doing right and cease from every fear. 7 You married men, in the same way, must live with your wives in an intelligent consideration of them; you must show them deference, too, as the weaker sex, as they share with you the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 8 Finally, you must all live in harmony, be sympathetic, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, humble, 9 never returning evil for evil or abuse for abuse, but blessing instead, because it was for this that you were called, to obtain the blessing of heirs. 10 For "Whoever wants to enjoy life and see delightful days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 He must turn, too, away from evil and do right; He must seek peace and follow it, 12 Because the eyes of the Lord are on upright men, and His ears listen to their pleading cries, but His face is against them that do wrong." 13 And who is it that will harm you if you are enthusiastic to do right? 14 Instead, you are happy, even if you should suffer for doing right. Never be afraid of their threats, and never be disturbed, 15 but in your hearts be consecrated to Christ as Lord, and always be ready to make your defense to anyone who asks a reason for the hope you have. But you must do it in gentleness and reverence, 16 and keep your conscience clear, so that those who bitterly abuse your excellent conduct as Christians may be ashamed of slandering you. 17 For it is better, if the will of God should plan it so, to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong. 18 For Christ Himself, once for all, died for our sins, the Innocent for the guilty to bring us to God, being put to death in physical form but made alive in the Spirit, 19 in which He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who had once been disobedient, while God's patience was awaiting in the days when Noah was preparing an ark, in which a few people-- eight, to be exact -- were brought safely through the water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this figure, now saves you, too -- I do not mean the mere removal of physical stains, but the craving for a clear conscience toward God -- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone to heaven and is now at God's right hand, with angels, heavenly authorities and powers made subject to Him.