1Likewise, ye wives, be in
subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey
not the word, they also may without the word be won
by the conversation of the wives;
2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with
fear.
3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of
plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of
putting on of apparel;
4But let
it be the hidden man of the heart, in that
which is not corruptible, even
the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which
is in the sight of God of great price.
5For after this manner in the old time the
holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned
themselves, being in subjection unto their own
husbands:
6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him
lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well,
and are not afraid with any amazement.
7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according
to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto
the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of
the grace of life; that your prayers be not
hindered.
8Finally, be
ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for
railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye
are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a
blessing.
10For he that will love life, and see good
days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile:
11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him
seek peace, and ensue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are over
the righteous, and his ears are
open unto their prayers: but the face of the
Lord is against
them that do evil.
13And who is he
that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which
is good?
14But and if ye suffer for righteousness'
sake, happy are
ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither
be troubled;
15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready
always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the
hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16Having a good conscience; that, whereas
they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be
ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation
in Christ.
17For it
is better, if the will of God be so, that ye
suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18For Christ also hath once suffered for
sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring
us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but
quickened by the Spirit:
19By which also he went and preached unto the
spirits in prison;
20Which sometime were disobedient, when once
the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah,
while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is,
eight souls were saved by water.
21The like figure whereunto even baptism
doth also now save us (not the putting away of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ:
22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the
right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers
being made subject unto him.