Chapter 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, while they behold your chaste conversation
coupled with fear.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plating the hair and of
wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel, 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.
For after this manner in the old time, the holy women also who trusted in God
adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands, 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.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto
the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace
of life, that your prayers be not hindered.
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren.
Be pitiful, be courteous, not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing,
but contrarywise, blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should
inherit a blessing.
For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from
evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
Let him eschew evil and do good, let him seek peace and ensue it.
For 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.
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of
their terror, neither be troubled.
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.
Having 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.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing than for
evil-doing.
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 quickened by the Spirit, by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in
prison, which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited
in the days of Noah, while the ark was a-preparing, wherein few, that is,
eight souls, were saved by water.
The 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, who is gone into heaven, and is on the
right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.