| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives | 1In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over |
| 2when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. | 2by observing your pure and reverent lives. |
| 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, | 3Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. |
| 4but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. | 4You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. |
| 5For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands, | 5This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. |
| 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear. | 6For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do. Husbands |
| 7Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. | 7In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. All Christians |
| 8Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. | 8Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. |
| 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. | 9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. |
| 10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. | 10For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. |
| 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. | 11Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. |
| 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” | 12The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil.” Suffering for Doing Good |
| 13Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good? | 13Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? |
| 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.” | 14But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. |
| 15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, | 15Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. |
| 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. | 16But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. |
| 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. | 17Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! |
| 18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, | 18Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. |
| 19in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison | 19So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— |
| 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. | 20those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. |
| 21And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, | 21And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
| 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him. | 22Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority. |
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