21 For (A)to this you have been called, (B)because Christ also suffered for you, (C)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 (D)He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 (E)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, (F)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 (G)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we (H)might die to sin and (I)live to righteousness. (J)By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For (K)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to (L)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Wives and Husbands

Likewise, wives, (M)be subject to your own husbands, so that (N)even if some do not obey the word, (O)they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your (P)respectful and pure conduct. (Q)Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be (R)the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, (S)calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and (T)do not fear anything that is frightening.

Likewise, (U)husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker (V)vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:7 Some manuscripts since you are joint heirs

21 To this(A) you were called,(B) because Christ suffered for you,(C) leaving you an example,(D) that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,(E)
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a](F)

23 When they hurled their insults at him,(G) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.(H) Instead, he entrusted himself(I) to him who judges justly.(J) 24 “He himself bore our sins”(K) in his body on the cross,(L) so that we might die to sins(M) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”(N) 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[b](O) but now you have returned to the Shepherd(P) and Overseer of your souls.(Q)

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves(R) to your own husbands(S) so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over(T) without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.(U) Rather, it should be that of your inner self,(V) the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.(W) For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God(X) used to adorn themselves.(Y) They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.(Z) You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Husbands,(AA) in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
  2. 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)