3:1 Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
3:1 Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct,

3:2 when they see your reverent and chaste behavior.
3:2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

3:3 Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing,
3:3 Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing;

3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
3:4 rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God's sight.

3:5 So once the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves and were submissive to their husbands,
3:5 It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands.

3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are now her children if you do right and let nothing terrify you.
3:6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.

3:7 Likewise you husbands, live considerately with your wives, bestowing honor on the woman as the weaker sex, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered.
3:7 Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life--so that nothing may hinder your prayers.

3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.
3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

3:9 Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing.
3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called--that you might inherit a blessing.

3:10 For "He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile;
3:10 For "Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit;

3:11 let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it.
3:11 let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it.

3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil."
3:12 For 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."

3:13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right?
3:13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?

3:14 But even if you do suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
3:14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated,

3:15 but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;
3:15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

3:16 and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
3:16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong.
3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.

3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit;
3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

3:19 in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison,
3:19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison,

3:20 who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.
3:20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.

3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
3:21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.