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be submissive to your husbands in the same way, so that if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without words by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward things like the braiding of your hair and wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of the inner person of the heart, with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For it was in this way in former times that the holy women who trusted in God also made themselves beautiful, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her daughters when you do what is right and never let fears overtake you.
7 Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives as you live together, treating them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you should be like-minded, compassionate for one another, love as brothers, and be tender-hearted and humble. 9 Do not repay evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary, repay with blessing, knowing that you were called to this so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do what is good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are attentive to their prayer;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil”.
13 And who will harm you if you are a you to do what is good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be troubled”, 15 but set apart as sacred Christ the Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defence to anyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are maliciously derided, those who denounce you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is the will of God, and to suffer for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who were disobedient long ago, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which this prefigures, now saves you—not as the removal of grime from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been made subject to Him.