Instructions ...or just type it: |
The First Epistle of Saint Peter the Apostle
Chapter 3
How wives are to behave to their husbands. What ornaments they are to seek. Exhortations to divers Virtues.
1 |
In like manner also, let wives be subject to their husbands: that, if any believe not the word, they may be won without the word, by the conversation of the wives, |
2 |
Considering your chaste conversation with fear. |
3 |
Whose adorning, let it not be the outward plaiting of the hair, or the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel: |
4 |
But the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a meek spirit which is rich in the sight of God. |
5 |
For after this manner heretofore, the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: |
6 |
As Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, doing well and not fearing any disturbance. |
7 |
Ye husbands, likewise dwelling with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the female as to the weaker vessel and as to the co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered. |
8 |
And in fine, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble: |
9 |
Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing. |
10 |
For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. |
11 |
Let him decline from evil and do good: Let him seek after peace and pursue it: |
12 |
Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things. |
13 |
And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good? |
14 |
But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear: and be not troubled. |
15 |
But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. |
16 |
But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. |
17 |
For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to suffer than doing ill. |
18 |
Because Christ also died once for our sins, the just for the unjust: that he might offer us to God, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit, |
19 |
In which also coming he preached to those spirits that were in prison: |
20 |
Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. |
21 |
Whereunto baptism, being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but, the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
22 |
Who is on the right hand of God, swallowing down death that we might be made heirs of life everlasting: being gone into heaven, the angels and powers and virtues being made subject to him. |