1 Peter 3
1 In like manner, the wives, be ye subject to your own husbands, that even if certain are disobedient to the word, through the conversation of the wives, without the word, they may be won,
In this way, you who are wives should submit to your own husbands. Do this so even if some men are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word, through their wives' behavior.
2 having beheld your pure behaviour in fear,
For they will have seen your sincere behavior with respect.
3 whose adorning — let it not be that which is outward, of plaiting of hair, and of putting around of things of gold, or of putting on of garments,
Let it be done not with outward ornaments such as braided hair, jewels of gold, or fashionable clothing.
4 but — the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible thing of the meek and quiet spirit, which is, before God, of great price,
Instead, let it be done with the inner person of the heart, and the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious before God.
5 for thus once also the holy women who did hope on God, were adorning themselves, being subject to their own husbands,
For this is how holy women long ago who hoped in God adorned themselves, by submitting to their husbands.
6 as Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him 'sir,' of whom ye did become daughters, doing good, and not fearing any terror.
In this way Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are now her children if you do what is good and if you are not afraid of trouble.
7 The husbands, in like manner, dwelling with [them], according to knowledge, as to a weaker vessel — to the wife — imparting honour, as also being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.
In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives according to understanding, as with a weaker container, a woman. You should give them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. Do this so that your prayers will not be hindered.
8 And finally, being all of one mind, having fellow-feeling, loving as brethren, compassionate, courteous,
Finally, all of you, be likeminded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, and humble.
9 not giving back evil for evil, or railing for railing, and on the contrary, blessing, having known that to this ye were called, that a blessing ye may inherit;
Do not pay back evil for evil or insult for insult. On the contrary, continue to bless, because for this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing.
10 for 'he who is willing to love life, and to see good days, let him guard his tongue from evil, and his lips — not to speak guile;
“The one who wants to love life and see good days should stop his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 let him turn aside from evil, and do good, let him seek peace and pursue it;
Let him turn away from what is bad and do what is good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 because the eyes of the Lord [are] upon the righteous, and His ears — to their supplication, and the face of the Lord [is] upon those doing evil;'
The eyes of the Lord see the righteous, and his ears hear their requests. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 and who [is] he who will be doing you evil, if of Him who is good ye may become imitators?
Who is the one who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?
14 but if ye also should suffer because of righteousness, happy [are ye]! and of their fear be not afraid, nor be troubled,
But if you suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear. Do not be troubled.
15 and the Lord God sanctify in your hearts. And [be] ready always for defence to every one who is asking of you an account concerning the hope that [is] in you, with meekness and fear;
Instead, set apart the Lord Christ in your hearts as holy. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you why you have confidence in God. Do this with meekness and respect.
16 having a good conscience, that in that in which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who are traducing your good behaviour in Christ;
Have a good conscience so that the people who insult your good life in Christ may be ashamed because they are speaking against you as if you were evildoers.
17 for [it is] better doing good, if the will of God will it, to suffer, than doing evil;
It is better, if God desires, that you suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 because also Christ once for sin did suffer — righteous for unrighteous — that he might lead us to God, having been put to death indeed, in the flesh, and having been made alive in the spirit,
Christ also suffered once for sins. He who is righteous suffered for us, who were unrighteous, so that he would bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but he was made alive by the Spirit.
19 in which also to the spirits in prison having gone he did preach,
By the Spirit, he went and preached to the spirits who are now in prison.
20 who sometime disbelieved, when once the long-suffering of God did wait, in days of Noah — an ark being preparing — in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water;
They were disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, in the days of the building of an ark, and God saved a few people—eight souls—by means of the water.
21 also to which an antitype doth now save us — baptism, (not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the question of a good conscience in regard to God, ) through the rising again of Jesus Christ,
This is a symbol of the baptism that saves you now—not as a washing away of dirt from the body, but as the appeal of a good conscience to God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone on to heaven — messengers, and authorities, and powers, having been subjected to him.
Christ is at the right hand of God. He went into heaven. Angels, authorities, and powers must submit to him.
A Dove is Sent Forth from the Ark
