1 Peter 3:1-16

1Wives, in a similar way, place yourselves under your husbands’ authority. Some husbands may not obey God’s word. Their wives could win these men ⌞for Christ⌟ by the way they live without saying anything.

2Their husbands would see how pure and reverent their lives are.

3Wives must not let their beauty be something external. Beauty doesn’t come from hairstyles, gold jewelry, or clothes.

4Rather, beauty is something internal that can’t be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious.

5After all, this is how holy women who had confidence in God expressed their beauty in the past. They placed themselves under their husbands’ authority

6as Sarah did. Sarah obeyed Abraham and spoke to him respectfully. You became Sarah’s daughters by not letting anything make you afraid to do good.

7Husbands, in a similar way, live with your wives with understanding since they are weaker than you are. Honor your wives as those who share God’s life-giving kindness  so that nothing will interfere with your prayers.

8Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble.

9Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.

10“People who want to live a full life and enjoy good days must keep their tongues from saying evil things, and their lips from speaking deceitful things.

11They must turn away from evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it.

12The Lord’s eyes are on those who do what he approves. His ears hear their prayer. The Lord confronts those who do evil.”

13Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good?

14But even if you suffer for doing what God approves, you are blessed. Don’t be afraid of those who want to harm you. Don’t get upset.

15But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence ⌞in God⌟ when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect.

16Keep your conscience clear. Then those who treat the good Christian life you live with contempt will feel ashamed that they have ridiculed you.