1 Peter 3

1 In like manner, ye wives, —submitting yourselves unto your own husbands; in order that, if any are not yielding unto the word, through their wives behaviour, they may, without the word, be won,

Married women, in the same way, be submissive to your husbands, so that even if some of them disbelieve the Message, they may, apart from the Message, be won over by the daily life of their wives, after watching your daily life--

2 Having been permitted to behold your reverently chaste behaviour, —

so full of reverence, and so blameless!

3 Whose adorning, let it be—not the outward, of plaiting the hair and wearing golden ornaments, or putting on of apparel,

Your adornment ought not to be a merely outward thing--one of plaiting the hair, putting on jewelry, or wearing beautiful dresses.

4 But the hidden character, of the heart, —in the incorruptible [ornament] of the quiet, and meek, spirit, which is, in presence of God, of great price.

Instead of that, it should be a new nature within--the imperishable ornament of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is indeed precious in the sight of God.

5 For, so, at one time, the holy women also, who directed their hope towards God, used to adorn themselves, being in submission unto their own husbands:

For in ancient times also this was the way the holy women who set their hopes upon God used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their husbands.

6 As, Sarah, was obedient unto Abraham, calling him, lord, —whose children ye have become—so long as ye are doing good, and not bringing yourselves into fear of any single cause of alarm.

Thus, for instance, Sarah obeyed Abraham, acknowledging his authority over her. And you have become Sarah's children if you do what is right and permit nothing whatever to terrify you.

7 Ye husbands, in like manner, dwelling with them according to knowledge, —as unto a weaker vessel, unto the female [vessel], assigning honour, as joint—inheritors also of life’s favour, —to the end that unhindered may be, your prayers.

Married men, in the same way, live with your wives with a clear recognition of the fact that they are weaker than you. Yet, since you are heirs with them of God's free gift of Life, treat them with honour; so that your prayers may not be hindered.

8 And, finally, all, being of one mind, having fellow—feeling, attached to the brethren, of tender affection, of lowly mind:

In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize, kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded,

9 Not returning evil for evil, nor reviling for reviling, but, on the contrary, bestowing a blessing, —because, hereunto, have ye been called, in order that, a blessing, ye might inherit.

not requiting evil with evil nor abuse with abuse, but, on the contrary, giving a blessing in return, because a blessing is what you have been called by God to inherit.

10 For, he that desireth to love, life, and to see good days, Let him cause his tongue to cease from mischief, and lips, that they speak not deceit;

For "He who wishes to be well-satisfied with life and see happy days-- let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from deceitful words;

11 Let him turn away from mischief, and do good, Let him seek peace, and pursue it;

Let him turn from evil, and do good; Let him inquire for peace and go in pursuit of it.

12 Because, the eyes of the Lord, are towards the righteous, and his ears, unto their supplication, —Whereas, the face of the Lord, is against them that are doing mischievous things.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their supplication; but the face of the Lord is set against evil-doers."

13 Who, then, is he that shall harm you, if, for that which is good, ye become zealous?

And who will be able to harm you, if you show yourselves zealous for that which is good?

14 Nevertheless, even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy [are ye]! Their fear, however, do not fear, neither be troubled;

But even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are to be envied. So do not be alarmed by their threats, nor troubled;

15 But, the Lord Christ, hallow ye in your hearts, ready always for a defence, unto every one that is asking you a reason concerning, the hope within you, —nevertheless, with meekness and reverence:

but in your hearts consecrate Christ as Lord, being always ready to make your defence to any one who asks from you a reason for the hope which you cherish.

16 Having, a good conscience, in order that, wherein they speak against you, they may be put to shame who cast wanton insult on, your good behaviour in Christ.

Yet argue modestly and cautiously, keeping your consciences free from guilt, so that, when you are spoken against, those who slander your good Christian lives may be put to shame.

17 For it is, better, as well-doers, if it should please the pleasure of God, to be suffering, than, as evil-doers:

For it is better that you should suffer for doing right, if such be God's will, than for doing evil;

18 Because, Christ also, once for all, concerning sins, died, —Just in behalf of unjust, —in order that he might introduce us unto God; being put to death, indeed, in flesh, but made alive in spirit, —

because Christ also once for all died for sins, the innocent One for the guilty many, in order to bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

19 In which, even unto the spirits in prison, he went and proclaimed, —

in which He also went and proclaimed His Message to the spirits that were in prison,

20 [Spirits] unyielding at one time, when the longsuffering of God was holding forth a welcome in the days of Noah, there being in preparation an ark—[going] into which, a few, that is eight, souls, were brought safely through by means of water, —

who in ancient times had been disobedient, while God's longsuffering was patiently waiting in the days of Noah during the building of the Ark, in which a few persons--eight in number--were brought safely through the water.

21 Which [water] in manner corresponding, doth, now, save, you also—even immersion, —not a putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request unto God, for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, —

And, corresponding to that figure, the water of baptism now saves you--not the washing off of material defilement, but the craving of a good conscience after God--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 Who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, messengers and authorities and powers, having been made subject unto him.

who is at God's right hand, having gone into Heaven, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

A Dove is Sent Forth from the Ark