1 Peter 3:1–6

Wives and Husbands

3:1 In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then,1 even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live,2 3:2 when they see your pure and reverent conduct.3 3:3 Let your4 beauty5 not be external—the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry6 or fine clothes—3:4 but the inner person7 of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 3:5 For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands, 3:6 like Sarah who obeyed8 Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children9 when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.10

1	tn Grk “that … they may be won over,” showing the purpose of “being subject” (vs. 1b). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
2	tn Grk “by the wives’ behavior.”
3	tn Grk “behavior,” the same word translated “the way you live” in vs. 1.
4	tn Grk “whose,” referring to the wives.
5	tn Or “adornment.”
6	tn The word “jewelry” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate that gold ornaments or jewelry is intended; otherwise the reader might assume wearing gold-colored clothing was forbidden.
7	tn Grk “the hidden man.” KJV’s “the hidden man of the heart,” referring to a wife, could be seriously misunderstood by the modern English reader.
8	tn Grk “as Sarah obeyed.”
9	tn Grk “whose children you become.”
10	tn Grk “doing good and not fearing any intimidation.”