(KJV) 1 Peter 3¹

⥃Wives and Husbands ^{[ Song 1:1–17 † Ephesians 5:22–33 ]}

[1] Likewise, ye² wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey³ not the word, they⁴ also may without the word be won⁵ by the conversation of the wives; [2] While they behold⁶ your chaste conversation [coupled] with⁷ fear. [3] Whose adorning let⁸ it not be that⁹ outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [4] But [let it be] the hidden¹⁰ man of the heart, in that which is not¹¹ corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek¹² and quiet¹³ spirit, which is in¹⁴ the sight of God of great price. [5] For after this manner in the old time the holy¹⁵ women also, who¹⁶ trusted in God, adorned¹⁷ themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: [6] Even as Sara¹⁸ obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters¹⁹ ye are, as long as ye do well, and²⁰ are not afraid with any amazement. [7] Likewise, ye²¹ husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving²² honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs²³ together of the grace of life; that²⁴ your prayers be not hindered.

⥃Turning from Evil

[8] Finally, [be²⁵ ye] all of one mind, having²⁶ compassion one of another, love as brethren²⁷, [be] pitiful²⁸, [be] courteous²⁹: [9] Not rendering³⁰ evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called³¹, that³² ye should inherit a blessing. [10] For he³³ that will love³⁴ life, and see³⁵ good days, let him refrain³⁶ his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak³⁷ no guile: [11] Let him eschew³⁸ evil, and do³⁹ good; let him seek⁴⁰ peace, and ensue it. [12] For the eyes⁴¹ of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears⁴² [are open] unto their prayers: but⁴³ the face of the Lord [is] against⁴⁴ them that do evil. [13] And who⁴⁵ [is] he that will harm you, if ye be followers⁴⁶ of that which is good?

⥃Suffering for Righteousness

[14] But and if⁴⁷ ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy [are ye]: and be⁴⁸ not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; [15] But sanctify⁴⁹ the Lord God in your hearts: and [be⁵⁰] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason⁵¹ of the hope⁵² that is in you with⁵³ meekness and fear⁵⁴: [16] Having a good⁵⁵ conscience; that, whereas⁵⁶ they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely⁵⁷ accuse your good⁵⁸ conversation in Christ. [17] For [it is] better, if⁵⁹ the will of God be so, that ye suffer⁶⁰ for well doing, than for evil doing. [18] For Christ⁶¹ also hath once suffered for sins, the just⁶² for the unjust, that⁶³ he might bring us to God, being⁶⁴ put to death in the flesh, but⁶⁵ quickened by the Spirit: [19] By which⁶⁶ also he went and preached unto the spirits in⁶⁷ prison; [20] Which sometime⁶⁸ were disobedient, when once the longsuffering⁶⁹ of God waited in the days⁷⁰ of Noah, while⁷¹ the ark was a preparing, wherein⁷² few, that is, eight souls were saved by⁷³ water. [21] The like⁷⁴ figure whereunto [even] baptism⁷⁵ doth also now save us (not the putting⁷⁶ away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer⁷⁷ of a good conscience toward God,) by⁷⁸ the resurrection of Jesus Christ: [22] Who is gone⁷⁹ into heaven, and is on⁸⁰ the right hand of God; angels⁸¹ and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.