1 Peter, 3

1. Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1. In the same way, wives must be submissive to their husbands. If any of them resists the Word, they will be won over without words by the conduct of their wives.

2. While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear.

2. It will be enough for them to see your responsible and blameless conduct.

3. Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

3. Do not be taken up with outward appearances: hairstyles, gold necklaces and clothes.

4. But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

4. There is something more permanent that shines from within a person: a gentle and peaceful disposition. This is really precious in God's eyes.

5. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

5. This was the way the holy women of the past dressed. They put their trust in God and were obedient to their husbands,

6. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

6. namely Sarah who had such respect for Abraham that she called him her lord. You are her children if you do what is right and are not afraid.

7. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

7. Husbands, in your turn, be sensible in your life together. Be considerate, realizing that the woman is of a more frail disposition and that you both share in the gift of life. If you do this, God will readily answer your prayers.

8. Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:

8. Finally, you should all be of one mind: share each other's troubles with mutual affection, be compassionate and humble.

9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

9. Do not repay evil for evil or answer one insult with another. Give a blessing, instead, since this is what you have been called to do, and so you will receive the blessing.

10. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

10. For if you seek life and want to see happiness, keep your tongue from evil and your mouth from speaking deceit.

11. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

11. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

12. For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

12. Because the Lord's eyes are turned to the just and his ears listen to their appeal. But the Lord frowns on evildoers.

13. And who [is] he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

13. Who can harm you if you devote yourselves to doing good?

14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy [are ye]: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

14. If you suffer for the sake of righteousness, happy are you. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed as they are,

15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

15. but bless the Lord Christ in your hearts. Always have an answer ready when you are called upon to account for your hope, but give it simply and with respect.

16. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

16. Keep your conscience clear so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your upright, Christian living.

17. For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

17. Better to suffer for doing good, if it is God's will, than for doing wrong.

18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

18. Remember how Christ died, once and for all, for our sins. He, the just one, died for the unjust in order to lead us to God. He died as humans do, but was raised to life by the Spirit,

19. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

19. and it was then that he went to preach to the imprisoned spirits.

20. Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

20. They were the generation who did not believe when God, in his great patience, delayed punishing the world while Noah was building the ark in which a small group of eight persons escaped through water.

21. The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

21. That was a type of the baptism which now saves you; this baptism is not a matter of physical cleansing but of asking God to reconcile us through the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

22. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

22. He has ascended to heaven and is at the right hand of God, having subjected the angels, Dominations and Powers.