1 Peter, 3

1. In the same way, you wives should be obedient to your husbands. Then if there are some husbands who do not believe the Word, they may find themselves won over, without a word spoken, by the way their wives behave,

1. Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,

2. when they see the reverence and purity of your way of life.

2. when they see your reverent and chaste behavior.

3. Your adornment should be not an exterior one, consisting of braided hair or gold jewellery or fine clothing,

3. Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing,

4. but the interior disposition of the heart, consisting in the imperishable quality of a gentle and peaceful spirit, so precious in the sight of God.

4. but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

5. That was how the holy women of the past dressed themselves attractively -- they hoped in God and were submissive to their husbands;

5. So once the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves and were submissive to their husbands,

6. like Sarah, who was obedient to Abraham, and called him her lord. You are now her children, as long as you live good lives free from fear and worry.

6. as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are now her children if you do right and let nothing terrify you.

7. In the same way, husbands must always treat their wives with consideration in their life together, respecting a woman as one who, though she may be the weaker partner, is equally an heir to the generous gift of life. This will prevent anything from coming in the way of your prayers.

7. Likewise you husbands, live considerately with your wives, bestowing honor on the woman as the weaker sex, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered.

8. Finally: you should all agree among yourselves and be sympathetic; love the brothers, have compassion and be self-effacing.

8. Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.

9. Never repay one wrong with another, or one abusive word with another; instead, repay with a blessing. That is what you are called to do, so that you inherit a blessing.

9. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing.

10. For Who among you delights in life, longs for time to enjoy prosperity? Guard your tongue from evil, your lips from any breath of deceit.

10. For "He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile;

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

11. let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it.

12. For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, his ear turned to their cry. But the Lord's face is set against those who do evil.

12. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil."

13. No one can hurt you if you are determined to do only what is right;

13. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right?

14. and blessed are you if you have to suffer for being upright. Have no dread of them; have no fear.

14. But even if you do suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

15. Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you have.

15. but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;

16. But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their accusations.

16. and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

17. And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.

17. For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong.

18. Christ himself died once and for all for sins, the upright for the sake of the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life,

18. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit;

19. and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison.

19. in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison,

20. They refused to believe long ago, while God patiently waited to receive them, in Noah's time when the ark was being built. In it only a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water.

20. who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.

21. It is the baptism corresponding to this water which saves you now -- not the washing off of physical dirt but the pledge of a good conscience given to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

21. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22. who has entered heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, ruling forces and powers subject to him.

22. who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.