In like manner also, let wives be subject to their husbands: that, if any believe not the word, they may be won without the word, by the conversation of the wives,

²Considering your chaste conversation with fear.

³Whose adorning, let it not be the outward plaiting of the hair, or the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel:

⁴But the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a meek spirit which is rich in the sight of God.

⁵For after this manner heretofore, the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

⁶As Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, doing well and not fearing any disturbance.

⁷Ye husbands, likewise dwelling with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the female as to the weaker vessel and as to the co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered.

⁸And in fine, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble:

⁹Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.

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

¹¹Let him decline from evil and do good: Let him seek after peace and pursue it:

¹²Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things.

¹³And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good?

¹⁴But if also you suffer any thing for justice’ sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear: and be not troubled.

¹⁵But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.

¹⁶But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

¹⁷For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to suffer than doing ill.

¹⁸Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the unjust: that he might offer us to God, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit,

¹⁹In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison:

²⁰Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.

²¹Whereunto baptism, being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but, the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

²²Who is on the right hand of God, swallowing down death that we might be made heirs of life everlasting: being gone into heaven, the angels and powers and virtues being made subject to him.

Chapter 4

Christ therefore having suffered in the flesh, be you also armed with the same thought: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sins:

²That now he may live the rest of his time in the flesh, not after the desires of men but according to the will of God.

³For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the Gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings and unlawful worshipping of idols.

⁴Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness: speaking evil of you.

⁵Who shall render account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

⁶For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: That they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh: but may live according to God, in the Spirit.

⁷But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore and watch in prayers.

⁸But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins.

⁹Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring,

¹⁰As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

¹¹If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any minister, let him do it, as of the power which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

¹²Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to try you: as if some new thing happened to you.

¹³But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

¹⁴If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed: for that which is of the honour, glory and power of God, and that which is his Spirit resteth upon you.

¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a railer or coveter of other men’s things.

¹⁶But, if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God in that name.

¹⁷For the time is, that judgment should begin at the house of God. And if at first at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not the gospel of God?

¹⁸And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

¹⁹Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commend their souls in good deeds to the faithful Creator.

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