¹ In like manner, ye wives,—submitting yourselves unto your own husbands; in order that, if any are not yielding unto the word, through their wives behaviour, they may, without the word, be won,

² Having been permitted to behold your reverently chaste behaviour,—

³ Whose adorning, let it be—not the outward, of plaiting the hair and wearing golden ornaments, or putting on of apparel,

⁴ But the hidden character, of the heart,—in the incorruptible [ornament] of the quiet, and meek, spirit, which is, in presence of God, of great price.

⁵ For, so, at one time, the holy women also, who directed their hope towards God, used to adorn themselves, being in submission unto their own husbands:

⁶ As, Sarah, was obedient unto Abraham, calling him, lord,—whose children ye have become—so long as ye are doing good, and not bringing yourselves into fear of any single cause of alarm.

⁷ Ye husbands, in like manner, dwelling with them according to knowledge,—as unto a weaker vessel, unto the female [vessel], assigning honour, as joint—inheritors also of life’s favour,—to the end that unhindered may be, your prayers.

⁸ And, finally, all, being of one mind, having fellow—feeling, attached to the brethren, of tender affection, of lowly mind:

⁹ Not returning evil for evil, nor reviling for reviling, but, on the contrary, bestowing a blessing,—because, hereunto, have ye been called, in order that, a blessing, ye might inherit.

¹⁰ For, he that desireth to love, life, and to see good days, Let him cause his tongue to cease from mischief, and lips, that they speak not deceit;

¹¹ Let him turn away from mischief, and do good, Let him seek peace, and pursue it;

¹² Because, the eyes of the Lord, are towards the righteous, and his ears, unto their supplication,—Whereas, the face of the Lord, is against them that are doing mischievous things.

¹³ Who, then, is he that shall harm you, if, for that which is good, ye become zealous?

¹⁴ Nevertheless, even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy [are ye] ! Their fear, however, do not fear, neither be troubled;

¹⁵ But, the Lord Christ, hallow ye in your hearts, ready always for a defence, unto every one that is asking you a reason concerning, the hope within you,—nevertheless, with meekness and reverence:

¹⁶ Having, a good conscience, in order that, wherein they speak against you, they may be put to shame who cast wanton insult on, your good behaviour in Christ.

¹⁷ For it is, better, as well-doers, if it should please the pleasure of God, to be suffering, than, as evil-doers:

¹⁸ Because, Christ also, once for all, concerning sins, died,—Just in behalf of unjust,—in order that he might introduce us unto God; being put to death, indeed, in flesh, but made alive in spirit,—

¹⁹ In which, even unto the spirits in prison, he went and proclaimed,—

²⁰ [Spirits] unyielding at one time, when the longsuffering of God was holding forth a welcome in the days of Noah, there being in preparation an ark—[going] into which, a few, that is eight, souls, were brought safely through by means of water,—

²¹ Which [water] in manner corresponding, doth, now, save, you also—even immersion,—not a putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request unto God, for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,—

²² Who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, messengers and authorities and powers, having been made subject unto him.