1 Peter 3:1-22.
1 Peter 3:1-22 (Good News Translation)
1 "In the same way you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands,
so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will
win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a
word, 2 because they will see how pure and reverent your conduct is. 3
You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as
the way you fix your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses
you wear. 4 Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner
self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the
greatest value in God's sight. 5 For the devout women of the past who
placed their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by
submitting themselves to their husbands. 6 Sarah was like that; she
obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are now her daughters if
you do good and are not afraid of anything. 7 In the same way you
husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that
they are more delicate than you. Treat them with respect, because they
also will receive, together with you, God's gift of life. Do this so
that nothing will interfere with your prayers. 8 To conclude: you must
all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another,
and be kind and humble with one another. 9 Do not pay back evil with
evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing,
because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called
you. 10 As the scripture says, "If you want to enjoy life and wish to
see good times, you must keep from speaking evil and stop telling
lies. 11 You must turn away from evil and do good; you must strive for
peace with all your heart. 12 For the Lord watches over the righteous
and listens to their prayers; but he opposes those who do evil." 13
Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if
you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not
be afraid of anyone, and do not worry. 15 But have reverence for
Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to
answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, 16 but
do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that
when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as
followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say. 17 For it is
better to suffer for doing good, if this should be God's will, than
for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good
man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to
death physically, but made alive spiritually, 19 and in his spiritual
existence he went and preached to the imprisoned spirits. 20 These
were the spirits of those who had not obeyed God when he waited
patiently during the days that Noah was building his boat. The few
people in the boat—eight in all—were saved by the water, 21 which was
a symbol pointing to baptism, which now saves you. It is not the
washing off of bodily dirt, but the promise made to God from a good
conscience. It saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22
who has gone to heaven and is at the right side of God, ruling over
all angels and heavenly authorities and powers."
Father God, forgive my sins. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ down
to die on the cross and for shedding his blood for me. Three days
later you resurrected him. I accept that. I invite Jesus Christ into
my heart as my Lord and savior. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
God bless you.
1 "In the same way you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands,
so that if any of them do not believe God's word, your conduct will
win them over to believe. It will not be necessary for you to say a
word, 2 because they will see how pure and reverent your conduct is. 3
You should not use outward aids to make yourselves beautiful, such as
the way you fix your hair, or the jewelry you put on, or the dresses
you wear. 4 Instead, your beauty should consist of your true inner
self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the
greatest value in God's sight. 5 For the devout women of the past who
placed their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by
submitting themselves to their husbands. 6 Sarah was like that; she
obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are now her daughters if
you do good and are not afraid of anything. 7 In the same way you
husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that
they are more delicate than you. Treat them with respect, because they
also will receive, together with you, God's gift of life. Do this so
that nothing will interfere with your prayers. 8 To conclude: you must
all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another,
and be kind and humble with one another. 9 Do not pay back evil with
evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing,
because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called
you. 10 As the scripture says, "If you want to enjoy life and wish to
see good times, you must keep from speaking evil and stop telling
lies. 11 You must turn away from evil and do good; you must strive for
peace with all your heart. 12 For the Lord watches over the righteous
and listens to their prayers; but he opposes those who do evil." 13
Who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if
you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not
be afraid of anyone, and do not worry. 15 But have reverence for
Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to
answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, 16 but
do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that
when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as
followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say. 17 For it is
better to suffer for doing good, if this should be God's will, than
for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good
man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to
death physically, but made alive spiritually, 19 and in his spiritual
existence he went and preached to the imprisoned spirits. 20 These
were the spirits of those who had not obeyed God when he waited
patiently during the days that Noah was building his boat. The few
people in the boat—eight in all—were saved by the water, 21 which was
a symbol pointing to baptism, which now saves you. It is not the
washing off of bodily dirt, but the promise made to God from a good
conscience. It saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22
who has gone to heaven and is at the right side of God, ruling over
all angels and heavenly authorities and powers."
Father God, forgive my sins. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ down
to die on the cross and for shedding his blood for me. Three days
later you resurrected him. I accept that. I invite Jesus Christ into
my heart as my Lord and savior. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
God bless you.
Comments