1 Peter 3:1–16

¹In like manner, the wives, be ye subject to your own husbands, that even if certain are disobedient to the word, through the conversation of the wives, without the word, they may be won, ²having beheld your pure behaviour in fear, ³whose adorning—let it not be that which is outward, of plaiting of hair, and of putting around of things of gold, or of putting on of garments, ⁴but—the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible thing of the meek and quiet spirit, which is, before God, of great price, ⁵for thus once also the holy women who did hope on God, were adorning themselves, being subject to their own husbands, ⁶as Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him ‘sir,’ of whom ye did become daughters, doing good, and not fearing any terror. ⁷The husbands, in like manner, dwelling with them, according to knowledge, as to a weaker vessel—to the wife—imparting honour, as also being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.

⁸And finally, being all of one mind, having fellow-feeling, loving as brethren, compassionate, courteous, ⁹not giving back evil for evil, or railing for railing, and on the contrary, blessing, having known that to this ye were called, that a blessing ye may inherit; ¹⁰for ‘he who is willing to love life, and to see good days, let him guard his tongue from evil, and his lips—not to speak guile; ¹¹let him turn aside from evil, and do good, let him seek peace and pursue it; ¹²because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears—to their supplication, and the face of the Lord is upon those doing evil;’ ¹³and who is he who will be doing you evil, if of Him who is good ye may become imitators? ¹⁴but if ye also should suffer because of righteousness, happy are ye! and of their fear be not afraid, nor be troubled, ¹⁵and the Lord God sanctify in your hearts. And be ready always for defence to every one who is asking of you an account concerning the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

¹⁶Having a good conscience, that in which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who are traducing your good behaviour in Christ;