1 Peter 3

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 conversation of the wives;

1Wives, in the same way, follow your own husband's lead. Some husbands do not believe God's message. They can be won over without any words. They will be won by watching how their wives live.

NoteIn 1611, "conversation" meant the whole way a person lived, not talking. Verses 1, 2, and 16 all use it that way.

2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

2They will see that you live a pure and good life. They will see that you treat God with deep respect.

3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

3Your beauty should not come from the outside. It is not braided hair, or gold jewelry, or fine clothes.

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.

4Let your beauty come from inside your heart. A gentle, quiet spirit never fades away. God says that kind of beauty is worth a lot.

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:

5Long ago, good women who put their hope in God made themselves beautiful this way. They followed their own husbands' lead.

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.

6Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord, which means master. You are her daughters if you do right and do not give in to fear.

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.

7Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with care and understanding. Honor her as the one who is more delicate. God gives you both the same gift of life. Live this way so nothing blocks your prayers.

Note"The weaker vessel" does not mean a wife is worth less. It points to being more delicate, and the same verse calls husband and wife equal heirs of life.

8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

8Last of all, all of you should think the same way and care about each other. Love each other like family. Be tender and be humble.

9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

9If someone does you wrong, do not do wrong back. If someone insults you, do not insult back. Instead, ask God to bless them. God called you to live this way, so you will receive 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:

10The Scriptures say this: if you want to love life and see good days, keep your tongue from evil. Keep your lips from telling lies.

11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

11Turn away from evil and do good. Look for peace and chase after 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.

12The Lord watches over people who do what is right. He listens to their prayers. But the Lord is against people who do evil.

13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

13Who will hurt you if you work hard at doing good?

14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

14But even if you are hurt for doing right, God calls you blessed. Do not be afraid of what they fear. Do not let it shake you.

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:

15In your hearts, honor Christ as Lord. Always be ready to explain the hope you have. Answer anyone who asks, gently and with respect.

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.

16Keep a clear conscience, the inside voice that knows right from wrong. Some people say you do bad things. When they see your good life in Christ, they will feel ashamed.

17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

17If God wants it to happen, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong.

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:

18Christ suffered for sins one time, and that was enough. He was right with God, and he died for people who were not. He did this to bring us to God. His body was put to death, but the Spirit made him alive.

Note"Quickened" is an old word that means made alive.

19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

19In the Spirit he also went and preached to the spirits who were 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.

20Long ago those spirits would not obey. God waited patiently in Noah's time while the big boat was being built. Only a few people went inside. Eight people were saved through the 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:

21That water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you too. Baptism is not about washing dirt off your body. It is a promise to God from a clear conscience. It saves you because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

22Jesus has gone into heaven. He sits at God's right hand, the place of honor. Angels and rulers and powers all obey him.