3

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 plaiting 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 Sara 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 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.
  • 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 contrariwise 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 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.
  • 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.