1 Peter 3

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 In the same way, you wives should be obedient to your husbands. Then if there are some husbandswho do not believe the Word, they may find themselves won over, without a word spoken, by the way their wivesbehave,	1 Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct
2 when they see the reverence and purity of your way of life.	2 when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior.
3 Your adornment should be not an exterior one, consisting of braided hair or gold jewellery or fineclothing,	3 Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes,
4 but the interior disposition of the heart, consisting in the imperishable quality of a gentle and peacefulspirit, so precious in the sight of God.	4 but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God.
5 That was how the holy women of the past dressed themselves attractively -- they hoped in God andwere submissive to their husbands;	5 For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands;
6 like Sarah, who was obedient to Abraham, and cal ed him her lord. You are now her children, as longas you live good lives free from fear and worry.	6 thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "lord." You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation.
7 In the same way, husbands must always treat their wives with consideration in their life together,respecting a woman as one who, though she may be the weaker partner, is equal y an heir to the generous giftof life. This wil prevent anything from coming in the way of your prayers.	7 Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in understanding, showing honor to the weaker female sex, since we are joint heirs of the gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
8 Final y: you should al agree among yourselves and be sympathetic; love the brothers, havecompassion and be self-effacing.	8 Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble.
9 Never repay one wrong with another, or one abusive word with another; instead, repay with a blessing.That is what you are cal ed to do, so that you inherit a blessing.	9 Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing.
10 For Who among you delights in life, longs for time to enjoy prosperity? Guard your tongue from evil,your lips from any breath of deceit.	10 For: "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit,
11 Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.	11 must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, his ear turned to their cry. But the Lord's face is setagainst those who do evil.	12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers."
13 No one can hurt you if you are determined to do only what is right;	13 Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good?
14 and blessed are you if you have to suffer for being upright. Have no dread of them; have no fear.	14 But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them,
15 Simply proclaim the Lord Christ holy in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for peoplewho ask you the reason for the hope that you have.	15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
16 But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander your goodbehaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their accusations.	16 but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.
17 And if it is the wil of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doingwrong.	17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
18 Christ himself died once and for al for sins, the upright for the sake of the guilty, to lead us to God. Inthe body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life,	18 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.
19 and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison.	19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison,
20 They refused to believe long ago, while God patiently waited to receive them, in Noah's time when theark was being built. In it only a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water.	20 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water.
21 It is the baptism corresponding to this water which saves you now -- not the washing off of physical dirtbut the pledge of a good conscience given to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,	21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who has entered heaven and is at God's right hand, with angels, ruling forces and powers subject tohim.	22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.