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New Testament
1 Peter 3
Wives and Husbands
31Wives, in the same way, be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they might be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2as they observe your respectful and holy behavior. 3Do not let your beauty be something outward, such as braided hair or wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4Rather let your beauty be the hidden person of your heart—the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God's sight. 5In fact, this is also how the holy women of the past who put their hope in God made themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord.[] You are her daughters if you do what is good and do not fear anything that is intimidating.
7Husbands, in the same way, continue to live with your wives with the knowledge that, as the wife, she is the weaker vessel.[] Also continue to accord them honor as fellow heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
General Exhortations
8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another. Show sympathy, brotherly love, compassion, and humility.[] 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. Instead, speak a blessing, because you were called for the purpose of inheriting a blessing. 10Indeed:
Let the one who wants to love life
and to see good days
keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from saying anything deceitful.
11Let him turn from evil and do what is good.
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their requests.
Suffering for Doing Good
13Who will harm you if you are eager to do[] what is good? 14But even if you should happen to suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear,[] and do not be troubled. 15But regard the Lord, the Christ,[] as holy in your hearts.[] Always be prepared to give an answer[] to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. 16But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.[]
The Suffering and Exaltation of Christ
17Indeed, it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, 18because Christ also suffered once for sins in our place,[] the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you[] to God. He was put to death in flesh[] but was made alive in spirit,[] 19in which he also went and made an announcement to the spirits in prison. 20These spirits disobeyed long ago, when God's patience was waiting in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee[] of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22He went to heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Footnotes
- 3:6 Genesis 18:12
- 3:7 Weaker vessel is a literal translation. Some understand vessel as a reference to the body (1 Samuel 21:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:4) and to physical weakness. Others understand vessel as a reference to God-given roles (Acts 9:15; 2 Timothy 2:20-21) and to more limited authority. It may include both ideas.
- 3:8 A few witnesses to the text read friendliness.
- 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
- 3:13 A few witnesses to the text read if you are followers of.
- 3:14 Or Do not be afraid of them
- 3:15 A few witnesses to the text read God instead of the Christ.
- 3:15 See Isaiah 8:12-13
- 3:15 Or to give a defense
- 3:16 A few witnesses to the text omit as evildoers.
- 3:18 Some witnesses to the text omit in our place.
- 3:18 Some witnesses to the text read us.
- 3:18 Here flesh is a reference to Christ's state of humiliation. See Romans 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:16.
- 3:18 Here spirit is a reference to Christ's state of exaltation. See Romans 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:16.
- 3:21 Or legal claim, or assurance