1 Peter 3
1 In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, even if any do not obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word,
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,
2 seeing your pure behavior in fear.
recognizing your pure and reverent behavior.
3 Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing,
Don't focus on outward attractiveness—hairstyles, gold jewelry, or fashionable clothes—
4 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.
instead let it come from within, the lasting attractiveness of a gentle and peaceful spirit on the inside. That's what God values.
5 For this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands.
This is how holy women of the past who put their confidence in God made themselves beautiful, yielding to their husbands,
6 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.
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.
7 You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor 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.
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.
8 Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,
Finally, you should all have the same attitude. Be sympathetic and love each other. Be compassionate, and humble.
9 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.
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.
10 For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
Remember: “Those who want to love life, and to see good days, must refrain from speaking evil, and not tell lies.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.
Turn away from evil and do good; search for peace—run after it!
12 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.”
For God sees those who do right, and he hears their prayers, but he opposes those who do evil.”
13 Now who will harm you if you become imitators of that which is good?
Who will harm you if you're keen to do good?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”
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;
15 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,
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.
16 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.
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.
17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing what is right than for doing evil.
It's certainly better to suffer for doing good, (if that's what God wants), than to suffer for doing wrong!
18 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,
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.
19 in whom he also went and preached to the spirits in prison,
He went to speak to those “imprisoned”
20 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.
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.”
21 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 toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
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.
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
Having ascended to heaven, he stands at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers placed under his control.
