## Wives and Husbands 

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In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any _of them_ are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 

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as they observe your pure conduct with fear. 

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Your adornment must not be _merely_ external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on garments; 

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but _let it be_ the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible quality of a lowly and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 

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For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 

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just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children if you do good, not fearing any intimidation. 

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You husbands in the same way, live with _your wives_ in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 

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Now to sum up, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, brotherly, tender-hearted, and humble in spirit; 

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not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but giving a blessing instead, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 

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For, "The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 

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He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. 

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For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 

## Suffering for Righteousness 

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And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 

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But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled, 

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but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always _being_ ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear, 

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having a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 

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For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing good rather than for doing wrong. 

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For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, _the_ righteous for _the_ unrighteous, so that He might bring you to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 

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in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits _now_ in prison, 

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who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through _the_ water. 

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Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal of a good conscience to God--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 

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who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.