LIKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even
if some obey not the word, by their wives' conduct without the word,
they may be won over; (2)being eye-witnesses of your chaste behaviour
with timidity. (3)Whose adorning let it not be that exterior one of
braided locks, and golden trimmings, and dresses put on with nicety;
(4)but let it be the hidden man of the heart, with that incorruptible
ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God
highly valuable. (5)For so in times of old the holy women also, who
hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own
husbands; (6)as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children
ye are, if ye do well, and are not affrighted with any terror.
(7)Ye husbands, in like manner dwell with them discreetly, putting
respect on the dear woman as being the weaker vessel, and as co-heirs
of the grace of life, so that your prayers may meet no interruption.
(8)Finally, be all like-minded, sympathizing, loving fraternally,
compassionate, friendly hearted, (9)not returning evil for evil, or
railing for railing; but, contrariwise, wishing men every blessing;
knowing that hereunto ye have been called, that ye should inherit the
_divine_ benediction. (10)"For he that would love life, and see good
days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking
guile. (11)Let him depart from every wicked thing, and do good; let him
seek peace, and pursue it[153]." (12)For the eyes of the Lord are upon
the just, and his ears open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord
is against those who practise wicked things. (13)And who will do you
harm if ye be imitators of him that is good? (14)But if ye should even
suffer for righteousness, blessed are ye: be not afraid of their
terror, neither be troubled, (15)but sanctify the Lord God in your
hearts: and be always ready with your reply to every man who demands a
reason respecting the hope which is in you with meekness and fear:
(16)keeping a good conscience; that whereas they malign you, as evil
doers, they may be confounded who take pleasure in ridiculing your good
conduct in Christ. (17)For it is better (if it be God's will) to suffer
as well doers than as evil doers. (18)For Christ also suffered once for
sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, put to
death indeed in the flesh, but raised to life by the Spirit: (19)by
which also he went and preached to those spirits imprisoned; (20)who in
time of old were disobedient, when the long suffering of God in the
days of Noe waited, while the ark was preparing, in which a few, that
is, eight persons, were preserved through the water. (21)The antitype
to which baptism now saveth us (not the mere removal of filth from the
flesh, but the engagement of a good conscience to God), by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ: (22)who is at the right hand of God, gone
into heaven, angels and dominations and powers being put in subjection
under him.