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,

In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behaviour of their wives without a word,

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

seeing your pure behaviour in fear.

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

Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing,

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.

but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.

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 this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own 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.

So Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are if you do well and are not put in fear by any terror.

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.

You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honour to the woman as to the weaker vessel, as also being joint heirs of the grace of life, 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:

Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,

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 rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

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 would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

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

Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue 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 on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

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

Now who will harm you if you become imitators of 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 should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be 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 sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,

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.

having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.

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, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing what is right 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 suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being 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 whom he also went and preached to the spirits 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 before were disobedient when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through 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, —

This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards 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 the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

A Dove is Sent Forth from the Ark