1 Peter 3

1In the same way, wives, follow the lead of your husbands. Then, if any of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word, by the way their wives live,

2When they see your pure lives lived with respect.

3Your beauty should not come from the outside — from fancy hairstyles, gold jewelry, or fine clothes.

4Instead, it should come from inside, the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that does not fade. This is very precious to God.

5This is how the holy women of long ago made themselves beautiful. They put their hope in God and followed the lead of their husbands.

6Sarah was like this: she obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give in to fear.

7In the same way, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way. Treat your wife with honor, as the one who is more delicate and as an equal heir of the gift of life, so that nothing will get in the way of your prayers.

8Finally, all of you, live in harmony. Feel for one another, love one another as family, be kind, and be humble.

9Do not pay back evil with evil, or insult with insult. Instead, pay back with a blessing, because you were called to receive a blessing.

10For the Scripture says: Whoever wants to love life and see good days must keep that person's tongue from evil and that person's lips from telling lies.

11That person must turn away from evil and do good. That person must look for peace and go after it.

12For the Lord watches over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord is against those who do evil.

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

14But even if you do suffer for doing right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear, and do not be troubled.

15Instead, in your hearts honor Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you the reason for the hope you have. But do it with gentleness and respect,

16Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be ashamed of their lies.

17It is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than for doing evil.

18For Christ also suffered once for sins — the one who was right, for those who were wrong — to bring you to God. He was put to death in his body, but made alive in the Spirit.

19In the Spirit he also went and preached to the spirits in prison,

20Who had disobeyed long ago, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark only a few people — eight in all — were saved through water.

21This water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you too. Baptism is not about washing dirt off the body. It is the promise of a clean conscience toward God. It saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22Who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers under his control.