1In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands. This way, even if they do not obey the word, they will be won by the behavior of their wives without a word, 2seeing your pure and reverent attitude. 3Your beauty should not only consist in external ornaments and hairstyles, golden jewelry, or fine clothing. 4Instead, let it be in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5This is how the holy women of the past hoped in God and also adorned themselves. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him “lord.” You are now her children if you do what is good and do not give in to fear.
7In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives according to knowledge, giving them honor as to the weaker vessel and also as joint-heirs of the grace of life. This way, your prayers will not be hindered.
Imitators of what is good—Do not fear
8Finally, all [of you] be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, polite, 9not giving back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, give back blessing, knowing that you are called to do this, so that you [yourselves] may inherit a blessing. 10Indeed:
Whoever would love life and see good days,
should keep his tongue from evil,
and his lips from speaking deceit.
11One should turn away from evil, and do good!
One should seek peace, and pursue it!
12Truly, the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.2310
13Now who will harm you if you become imitators of2311 what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear, and do not be troubled.”2312 15Sanctify the Lord God2313 in your hearts and always be ready to give a verbal defense2314 to everyone who asks you [to give] an explanation for the hope that is in you; [and do so] with humility and fear. 16Have a good conscience, so that even while some speak against you as evildoers and curse your good way of life in Christ, they may be put to shame.2315 17It is better, if it is God’s will, that you should suffer for doing what is good rather than for doing what is evil.
Christ’s work of salvation—Baptism
18Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh but [made] alive in [the] spirit.2316 19Thus, he also descended2317 and preached to the spirits in prison, 20to those who in the past had been disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In this [ark], a few (that is eight souls) were saved through water. 21This is an antitype2318 of baptism, which now saves us. Baptism2319 is not the putting away of the impurity of the flesh but the appeal of a good conscience {in your relationship} toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22He is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, with angels, authorities, and powers being subject to him.
Life in the spirit
- Psalm 34:12-16/33 LXX
- CT reads “zealous for” instead of “imitators of”
- Isaias 8:12
- CT reads “Christ [as] Lord”
- Greek pro.j avpologi,an
- Or “disappointed”
- Or “by the Spirit”
- Or “went”
- Greek avnti,tupon (the fulfillment of a figure that pointed to a greater reality)
- Greek “it”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
