1 Peter 3
1 Wives, accept your husbands' authority in the same way, so that if some husbands refuse to accept the word, they may still be won over without words by the way you behave,
Similarly, wives, be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if some are disobedient to the Word, they may be won over, without a word, by the conduct of their wives
2 recognizing your pure and reverent behavior.
(having watched your pure behavior accompanied by respect),
3 Don't focus on outward attractiveness—hairstyles, gold jewelry, or fashionable clothes—
whose adorning should not be the outward one of braiding hair and wearing gold, or putting on fine clothing,
4 instead let it come from within, the lasting attractiveness of a gentle and peaceful spirit on the inside. That's what God values.
but rather the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible adorning of the gentle and quiet spirit that is of great value before God.
5 This is how holy women of the past who put their confidence in God made themselves beautiful, yielding to their husbands,
For this is how the holy women who hoped in God in former times also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,
6 like Sarah who obeyed Abraham, and called him “lord.” You are her daughters if you do what's good and right and are not intimidated.
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him ‘lord’, whose (f) daughters you became by doing good and not being afraid of any intimidation.
7 Husbands, in just the same way, be considerate to your wives as you live together with them. Though she may not be as strong as you are, you should honor her since she will inherit equally with you God's gift of life. Make sure to do this so nothing will get in the way of your prayers.
Similarly, husbands, live together knowledgeably as with a weaker vessel, according honor to the wife especially as being a joint heir of the grace of life, for your prayers not to be hindered.
8 Finally, you should all have the same attitude. Be sympathetic and love each other. Be compassionate, and humble.
Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,
9 Don't pay back evil for evil, or retaliate when you're abused, instead you should give a blessing—because that's what you were called to do, so you could gain a blessing yourself.
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this so that you may inherit a blessing.
10 Remember: “Those who want to love life, and to see good days, must refrain from speaking evil, and not tell lies.
For: “The one who wants to love life and to see good days must refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 Turn away from evil and do good; search for peace—run after it!
he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace, even pursue it.
12 For God sees those who do right, and he hears their prayers, but he opposes those who do evil.”
Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those doing evil.”
13 Who will harm you if you're keen to do good?
Now who is he who will harm you if you become imitators of the good?
14 For even if you suffer for doing what's right, you're still better off. Don't be scared over what people threaten, don't worry about it;
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”
15 just keep your mind focused on Christ as Lord. Always be ready to explain to anyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. Do this in a gentle and respectful way.
Rather, sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready with an answer for everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with meekness and respect;
16 Make sure your conscience is clear, so that if anyone makes accusations against you, they will be embarrassed for speaking badly about the good way you live your life in Christ.
keeping a good conscience, so that wherein they speak against you as evildoers, those who revile your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame.
17 It's certainly better to suffer for doing good, (if that's what God wants), than to suffer for doing wrong!
For it is better to suffer for doing good, should the will of God so determine, than for doing evil.
18 Jesus died because of sins, once and for all, the one who is completely true and good and right died for those who are bad, so that he could bring you to God. He was put to death in the body, but he came to life in the spirit.
Because Christ also suffered on account of sins, once for all, the righteous on behalf of the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God; having been put to death, to be sure, in flesh, but having been made alive in spirit;
19 He went to speak to those “imprisoned”
in which He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison
20 that refused to believe, when God patiently waited in the time of Noah while the ark was being built. Only a few—in fact eight people—were saved “through water.”
who formerly were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, while the Ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight, souls were brought safely through water.
21 This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you, not by washing off dirt from your body, but as a positive response to God that comes from a clear conscience. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that makes your salvation possible.
This is an antitype of baptism, that now saves us also (not the removal of physical filth, but the appeal into God from a good conscience) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 Having ascended to heaven, he stands at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers placed under his control.
who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
