^3:1In 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,²^3:2when they see your pure and reverent conduct.³^3:3Let your⁴ beauty⁵ not be external—the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry⁶ or fine clothes—^3:4but the inner person⁷ of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. ^3:5For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands, ^3:6like Sarah who obeyed⁸ Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children⁹ when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.¹⁰^3:7Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as the weaker partners¹¹ and show them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers.¹²

Suffering for Doing Good

^3:8Finally, all of you be harmonious,¹³ sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble. ^3:9Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless¹⁴ others¹⁵ because you were called to inherit a blessing.

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Footnotes

1 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 Grk “by the wives’ behavior.”
3 Grk “behavior,” the same word translated “the way you live” in vs. 1.
4 Grk “whose,” referring to the wives.
5 Or “adornment.”
6 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 Grk “the hidden man.” ’s “the hidden man of the heart,” referring to a wife, could be seriously misunderstood by the modern English reader.
8 Grk “as Sarah obeyed.”
9 Grk “whose children you become.”
10 Grk “doing good and not fearing any intimidation.”
11 Grk “living together according to knowledge, as to the weaker, female vessel.” The primary verbs of vs. 7 are participles (“living together … showing honor”) but they continue the sense of command from the previous paragraphs.
12 Grk “so that your prayers may not be hindered.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek, this clause was translated as a separate sentence.
13 There is no main verb in this verse (Grk “Finally, all [ ] harmonious”), but it continues the sense of command from the previous paragraphs.
14 Grk “not returning … but blessing,” continuing the sense of command from the preceding.
15 The direct object “others” is omitted but implied in Greek, and must be supplied to suit English style.