Epistula I Petri, 3

1. Similiter mulieres subditae sint suis viris, ut et si qui non cre dunt verbo, per mulierum conversationem sine verbo lucrifiant,

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. considerantes castam in timore conversationem vestram;

2. when they see your reverent and chaste behavior.

3. quarum sit non extrinsecus capillaturae aut circumdationis auri aut indumenti vestimentorum cultus,

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

4. sed qui absconditus cordis est homo, in incorruptibilitate mitis et quieti spiritus, qui est in conspectu Dei locuples.

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. Sic enim aliquando et sanctae mulieres sperantes in Deo ornabant se subiectae propriis viris,

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

6. sicut Sara oboediebat Abrahae dominum eum vocans: cuius estis filiae benefacientes et non timentes ullam perturbationem.

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

7. Viri similiter cohabitantes secundum scientiam quasi infirmiori vaso muliebri impertientes honorem, tamquam et coheredibus gratiae vitae, uti ne impediantur orationes vestrae.

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. In fine autem omnes unanimes, compatientes, fraternitatis amatores, misericordes, humiles,

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

9. non reddentes malum pro malo vel maledictum pro maledicto, sed e contrario benedicentes, quia in hoc vocati estis, ut benedictionem hereditate accipiatis.

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. “Qui enim vult vitam diligere et videre dies bonos, coerceat linguam suam a malo,

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. et labia eius ne loquantur dolum; declinet autem a malo et faciat bonum, inquirat pacem et persequatur eam.

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

12. Quia oculi Domini super iustos, et aures eius in preces eorum; vultus autem Domini super facientes mala”.

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. Et quis est qui vobis noceat, si boni aemulatores fueritis?

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

14. Sed et si patimini propter iustitiam, beati! Timorem autem eorum ne timueritis et non conturbemini,

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

15. Dominum autem Christum sanctificate in cordibus vestris, parati semper ad defensionem omni poscenti vos rationem de ea, quae in vobis est spe;

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. sed cum mansuetudine et timore, conscientiam habentes bonam, ut in quo de vobis detrectatur, confundantur, qui calumniantur vestram bonam in Christo conversationem.

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. Melius est enim benefacientes, si velit voluntas Dei, pati quam malefacientes.

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

18. Quia et Christus semel pro peccatis passus est, iustus pro iniustis, ut vos adduceret ad Deum, mortificatus quidem carne, vivificatus autem Spiritu:

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. in quo et his, qui in carcere erant, spiritibus adveniens praedicavit,

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

20. qui increduli fuerant aliquando, quando exspectabat Dei patientia in diebus Noe, cum fabricaretur arca, in qua pauci, id est octo animae, salvae factae sunt per aquam.

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. Cuius antitypum, baptisma, et vos nunc salvos facit, non carnis depositio sordium sed conscientiae bonae rogatio in Deum, per resurrectionem Iesu Christi,

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. qui est in dextera Dei, profectus in caelum, subiectis sibi angelis et potestatibus et virtutibus.

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