1 Peter 3:1–16

Wives and Husbands

3In the same way, wives, ^fsubmit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the Christian message, ^gthey may be won over ^hiwithout a message by the way their wives live ^j2when they observe your pure, reverent lives. ^k3Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments ^lor fine clothes. ^m4Instead, it should consist of what is inside ⁿthe heart ^owith the imperishable quality of a gentle ^pand quiet ^qspirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. ⁵For in the past, the holy ^rwomen who put their hope ^sin God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, ⁶just as Sarah ^tobeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and are not frightened by anything alarming. ^u

⁷Husbands, ^vin the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature ^wxyet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Do No Evil

⁸Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, ^yzand be compassionate ^aand humble, ^b9not paying back evil for evil ^cor insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, ^dsince you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.

¹⁰For the ^eone who wants to love life

and to see good days

must keep his tongue from evil ^f

and his lips from speaking deceit, ^g

¹¹and he must turn away ^hfrom evil

and do what is good.

He must seek peace ⁱand pursue it,

¹²because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and His ears are open to their request.

But the face of the Lord is against

those who do what is evil. ^j

Undeserved Suffering

¹³And who will harm ^kyou if you are deeply committed to what is good? ^l14But even if you should suffer for righteousness, ^myou are blessed. Do not fear what they fear ⁿ or be disturbed, ^op15but honor ^qthe Messiah ^ras Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason ^sfor the hope that is in you. ^t16However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, ^uvwso that when you are accused, ^xthose who denounce your Christian life ^ywill be put to shame.