| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, | 1Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives |
| 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. | 2when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. |
| 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. | 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, |
| 4Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. | 4but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. |
| 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, | 5For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands, |
| 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. | 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear. |
| 7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. | 7Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. |
| 8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. | 8Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. |
| 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. | 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. |
| 10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. | 10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. |
| 11They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. | 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. |
| 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." | 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” |
| 13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? | 13Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good? |
| 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." | 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.” |
| 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, | 15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, |
| 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. | 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. |
| 17For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. | 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. |
| 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. | 18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, |
| 19After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits-- | 19in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison |
| 20to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, | 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. |
| 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, | 21And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, |
| 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. | 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him. |
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