Peter gives instructions for wives and husbands and calls all believers to be like-minded, compassionate and humble. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, as Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust.
1 Likewise , ye wives , be in subjection to your own husbands ; that , if any obey not the word , they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives ;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear .
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair , and of wearing of gold , or of putting on of apparel ;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart , in that which is not corruptible , even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit , which is in the sight of God of great price .
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also , who trusted in God , adorned themselves , being in subjection unto their own husbands :
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham , calling him lord : whose daughters ye are , as long as ye do well , and are not afraid with any amazement .
7 Likewise , ye husbands , dwell with them according to knowledge , giving honour unto the wife , as unto the weaker vessel , and as being heirs together of the grace of life ; that your prayers be not hindered .
8 Finally , be ye all of one mind , having compassion one of another , love as brethren , be pitiful , be courteous :
9 Not rendering evil for evil , or railing for railing : but contrariwise blessing ; knowing that ye are thereunto called , that ye should 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 eschew evil , and do good ; let him seek peace , and ensue it .
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous , and his ears are open unto their prayers : but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil .
13 And who is he that will harm you , if ye be followers of that which is good ?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake , happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror , neither be troubled ;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts : and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear :
16 Having a good conscience ; that , whereas they speak evil of you , as of evildoers , they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ .
17 For it is better , if the will of God be so , that ye suffer for well doing , than for evil doing .
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins , the just for the unjust , that he might bring us to God , being put to death in the flesh , but quickened by the Spirit :
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison ;
20 Which sometime were disobedient , when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah , while the ark was a preparing , wherein few , that is , eight souls were saved by water .
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh , but the answer of a good conscience toward God ,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ :
22 Who is gone into heaven , and is on the right hand of God ; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him .