Wives, in the same way submit yourselvesd to your own husbandse so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won overf without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.g 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self,h the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.i 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in Godj used to adorn themselves.k They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.l You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7 Husbands,m in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded,n be sympathetic, love one another,o be compassionate and humble.p 9 Do not repay evil with evilq or insult with insult.r On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,s because to thist you were calledu so that you may inherit a blessing.v 10 For,

“Whoever would love life

and see good days

must keep their tongue from evil

and their lips from deceitful speech.

11 They must turn from evil and do good;

they must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”a w