1 Peter 3

1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the behaviour of the wives;

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 While they behold your chaste behaviour coupled with fear.

so full of reverence, and so blameless!

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of arranging the hair, and of wearing gold, or of putting on 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 let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight 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 after this manner in former times the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to 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 Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any terror.

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 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

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 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one for another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

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

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but on the contrary blessing; knowing that ye are called to this, that ye should inherit a blessing.

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 will love life, and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

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 evil, 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 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

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 And who is he that will harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good?

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

14 But if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, 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 sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

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; that, though they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse 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, if the will of God is so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

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

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the 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 By whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison;

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

20 Who at one time were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls were saved by 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 The like figure to which even baptism doth also now save us ( not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, ) by 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 gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to 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