1 Peter 3

Relationships and Suffering

1 Wives, submit to your husbands so even if they do not believe, they might be won over by your godly life.

2 They will see your pure and respectful conduct.

3 Do not focus on external beauty like fancy hair, jewelry, or clothes.

4 Your beauty should come from within, a gentle and quiet spirit that God values.

5 Women like Sarah, who trusted God, are your example.

6 Sarah respected Abraham and called him “lord.” You are her daughters if you do right and do not give in to fear.

7 Husbands, treat your wives with respect and understanding. They are your partners and co-heirs in God’s gift of life.

8 Be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, humble, and peaceful.

9 Do not pay back evil with evil. Instead, bless others, because that is your calling.

10 If you want to love life, control your tongue and stop talking trash.

11 Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and chase it.

12 God has got His eyes on the righteous, but He is against those who do evil.

13 Who can harm you if you are doing good,

14 Even if you suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not trip or be scared.

15 Always be ready to explain your hope in Jesus, but do it gently and respectfully.

16 Keep a clean conscience so your haters feel ashamed for trash-talking your good behavior.

17 It is better to suffer for doing good, if it is God’s will, than for doing wrong.

18 Jesus suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.

19 He went and preached to spirits in prison.

20 These spirits were disobedient back in Noah’s day when God patiently waited while the ark was built.

21 Baptism saves you, not by washing dirt off, but by pledging a clear conscience to God through Jesus’ resurrection.

22 Jesus is now at God’s right hand, ruling over angels, authorities, and powers.