3:1 Likewise, 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 deportment of the wives;
3:2 While they behold your chaste manner of life [coupled] with
fear.
3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of
plaiting the hair, and of wearing gold, or of putting on
apparel;
3:4 But [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.
3:5 For after this manner in former times the holy women also,
who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to
their own husbands:
3:6 Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose
daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid
with any amazement.
3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to
knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel,
and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your
prayers be not hindered.
3:8 Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of
another; love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:
3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but on
the contrary, blessing; knowing that ye are called to this,
that ye should inherit a blessing.
3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him
restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no
guile:
3:11 Let him shun evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and
pursue it.
3:12 For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his
ears [are open] to their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is]
against them that do evil.
3:13 And who [is] he that will harm you, if ye are followers of
that which is good?
3:14 But if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy [are ye]:
and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
3:15 But 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.
3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of
you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse
your good deportment in Christ.
3:17 For [it is] better, if the will of God is so, that ye
suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing.
3:18 For 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 made alive by the Spirit:
3:19 By which also he went and preached to the spirits in
prison;
3:20 Who formerly were disobedient, when once the long-suffering
of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing,
in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.
3:21 The like figure to which, [even] baptism, doth also now
save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but
the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ:
3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God;
angels, and authorities, and powers being made subject to him.
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