1In like manner , ye wives , be in subjection to your own husbands; that , even if any obey not the word , they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives ; 2beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear . 3Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair , and of wearing jewels of gold , or of putting on apparel ; 4but let it be the hidden man of the heart , in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit , which is in the sight of God of great price . 5For after this manner aforetime the holy women also , who hoped in God , adorned themselves , being in subjection to their own husbands: 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord : whose children ye now are , if ye do well , and are not put in fear by any terror. 7Ye husbands, in like manner , dwell with your wives according to knowledge , giving honor unto the woman , as unto the weaker vessel , as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life ; to the end that your prayers be not hindered .
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake
8Finally , be ye all likeminded, compassionate , loving as brethren , tenderhearted , humbleminded: 9not rendering evil for evil , or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing ; for hereunto were ye called , that ye should inherit a blessing . 10For , He that would love life , And see good days , Let him refrain his tongue from evil , And his lips that they speak no guile : 11And let him turn away from evil , and do good ; Let him seek peace , and pursue it . 12For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous , And his ears unto their supplication : But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil .
Christ's Example and the Call to Endure
13And who is he that will harm you , if ye be zealous of that which is good ? 14But even if ye should suffer for righteousness ’ sake , blessed are ye : and fear not their fear , neither be troubled ; 15but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord : being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you , yet with meekness and fear : 16having a good conscience ; that , wherein ye are spoken against , they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ . 17For it is better , if the will of God should so will , that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. 18Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God ; being put to death in the flesh , but made alive in the spirit ; 19in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison , 20that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah , while the ark was a preparing , wherein few , that is , eight souls , were saved through water : 21which also after a true likeness doth now save you , even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh , but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God , through the resurrection of Jesus Christ ; 22who is on the right hand of God , having gone into heaven ; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him .