Wives and Husbands
- In the same way, wives be submitting to your own husbands so that even if any disobey the word, they will be won over without a word through the conduct of the wives,
- having observed your pure conduct in reverent fear,
- whose primary adornment must not be the external adornment of elaborate hair-braiding and wearing of gold, or even the wearing of clothes,
- but the hidden man of the heart; in the incorruptible adornment of gentle strength and a tranquil spirit which is very precious in the sight of God.
- For in this way also in the past, the holy women hoping in God were adorning themselves, submitting themselves to their own husbands.
- Just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him ‘lord’; whose children you became if you’re doing good and not fearing anyone’s consternation.
- In the same way, husbands be dwelling with your wives with knowledge and understanding, since the female is the weaker vessel; giving them due honor since they’re also joint-heirs of the grace of life, in order for your prayers not to be hindered.
Good and evil, blessing and suffering
- And finally, all are to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, and humble,
- not repaying evil in exchange for evil, or insult in exchange for insult; but on the contrary blessing, because you were called into this so you might inherit a blessing.
- For “the man desiring to ^love life and to see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips are not to speak deceit.
- “Let him also turn away from evil and let him do good. Let him seek peace and let him pursue it.
- “Because the Lord’s eyes are on the righteous, and His ears towards their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against men doing evil.”
- And who is the man who will harm you if you become zealous for what’s good?
- But even if you suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. “And you shouldn’t fear what they fear, nor should you be shaken.”
- And sanctify the Anointed as Lord in your hearts, always prepared for a verbal defense to every man asking you for an account concerning the hope in you, but with gentle strength and reverent fear,
- having a good conscience so that by this – by you being slandered – the men disparaging your good conduct in the Anointed might be ashamed.
- For to suffer while doing good (if the will of God wills it) is better than doing evil,
- because the Anointed also suffered once concerning sins – the righteous for the benefit of the unrighteous – so He might bring you to God. Having indeed been put to death in the flesh but made alive in spirit,
- and having gone in that state, He proclaimed to the spirits in prison
- who formerly disobeyed when the forbearance of God was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being built; in which a few – that is, eight souls – were saved through the water.
- Which also is a picture of the baptism which now saves you; not a removal of filth from flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus the Anointed.
- He who is at God’s right hand, having been brought into heaven, with angels and authorities and powers having been submitted to Him.