CHAPTER 3
Wives,
in the same way,
submit yourselves
to your
husbands,
so that
even
if
they
refuse to believe
the
word,
they will be won over
without
words
by
the
behavior
of their
wives
Your beauty
should not
come
from
outward
adornment
such as braided
hair
or
gold jewelry
or
fine clothes,
but
from the
inner
disposition
of your
heart,
the
unfading beauty
of a
gentle
and
quiet
spirit,
which
is
precious
in God’s
sight.
For
this is how
the
holy
women
of the past
adorned
themselves.
They put their hope
in
God
and were subject
to
their
husbands,
just as
Sarah
obeyed
Abraham
and called
him
lord.
You are
her
children
if you do what is right
and
refuse
to quiver
in fear.
Husbands,
in the same way,
treat
your
wives
with
consideration
as
a delicate
vessel,
and
with honor
as
fellow heirs
of the gracious gift
of life,
so that
your
prayers
will not be hindered.
Finally,
all of you,
be like-minded
and sympathetic,
love as brothers,
be tender-hearted
and humble.
Do not repay
evil
with
evil
or
insult
with
insult,
but
with blessing,
because
to
this
you were called
so that
you may inherit
a blessing.
For,
“Whoever
would
love
life
and
see
good
days
must keep
his
tongue
from
evil
and
his lips
from
deceitful
speech.
For
the eyes
of the Lord
are on
the righteous,
and
His
ears
are inclined to
their
prayer.
But
the face
of the Lord
is against
those who do
evil.”
But
even
if
you should suffer
for
what is right,
you are blessed.
“Do not fear
their
intimidation;
do not be shaken.”
But
in
your
hearts
sanctify
Christ
as Lord.
Always
be prepared
to
give a defense
to everyone
who
asks
you
the reason
for
the
hope
you possess.
But respond
with
gentleness
and
respect,
keeping
a clear
conscience,
so that
those who slander you
will be put to shame
by your
good
behavior
in
Christ.
For
Christ
also
suffered
for
sins
once for all,
the righteous
for
the unrighteous,
to
bring
you
to God.
He was put to death
in the body
but
made alive
in the spirit,
who disobeyed
long ago
when
God
waited
patiently
in
the days
of Noah,
while the ark
was being built.
In
the ark
a few people,
only
eight
souls,
were saved
through
water.
And
this water
symbolizes
the baptism
that now
saves
you—
not
the removal
of dirt
from the body,
but
the pledge
of a clear
conscience
toward
God.
It saves you through
the resurrection
of Jesus
Christ,
who
has gone
into
heaven
and is
at
the right hand
of God,
with angels,
authorities,
and
powers
subject
to Him.