1In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ behavior,
2when they see your pure and respectful lives.
3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborately braided hair, wearing gold jewelry, or fine clothes.
4Instead, your beauty should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.
5This is how the holy women of the past, who put their hope in God, also adorned themselves, submitting to their own husbands:
6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and are not afraid of anything that might terrify you.
7Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way. Show honor to your wife, since she is a fellow heir with you of the gracious gift of life, even though she may be physically weaker. Do this so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
8Finally, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, love each other as brothers and sisters, be tenderhearted, and humble.
9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. Instead, repay with a blessing, because you were called to do this so that you may inherit a blessing.
10For, “Whoever wants to love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from speaking lies.
11They must turn away from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13Who will harm you if you eagerly follow what is good?
14But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be troubled.
15Instead, honor Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to explain the hope you have to anyone who asks you, but do it gently and respectfully.
16Keep your conscience clear. Then, when people speak against you as evildoers, those who insult your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17It is better to suffer for doing good, if that is God's will, than for doing evil.
18Because Christ also suffered once for sins, he, the righteous one, suffered for us, the unrighteous, to bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life in the spirit.
19And in the spirit, he went and preached to the spirits in prison,
20who disobeyed long ago when God patiently waited during the time Noah was building the ark. Only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.
21That water is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you. Baptism is not about washing dirt from your body, but about making a commitment to God from a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
22He has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers all under his control.