Wives and Husbands
(Ephesians 5:22–33)

1Likewise, ye wives, be submissive to your own husbands; in order that, if any do not believe the word, they shall be gained through the deportment of their wives, without the word; 2beholding your chaste deportment which is with reverence: 3whose beauty, let it not be the external beauty of braiding the hairs, and wearing golds, or putting on of outer garments; 4but let their beauty be the hidden man of the heart, in the purity of the meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is perfection complete. 5For in this way in olden times the holy wives, the ones having hope toward God, were indeed accustomed to beautify themselves, submissive to their own husbands: 6as Sarah submitted to Abraham, calling him Lord: whose children you have become, doing good, and not fearing any calamity.

7Likewise, ye husbands, dwelling with the wife according to knowledge, as the weaker vessel, extending to them honor, as indeed the equal heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers should not be hindered.

Turning from Evil

8And finally, all being like-minded, sympathetic, loving the brethren, merciful, humble: 9not giving evil for evil, or railing for railing: but on the contrary blessing; because unto this you have been called, that you may inherit the blessing.

10For let the one wishing to love life, and to see good days, cease his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile:

11let him depart from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it:

12because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry: but the face of the Lord is against those doing evil.

13Who is the one about to harm you, if you may be zealots of the good?

Suffering for Righteousness

14But if indeed you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are happy. Fear not their fear, neither be troubled; 15but sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts: being always ready for an answer to every one asking you a reason for the hope which is in you, but with meekness and fear: 16having a good conscience, in order that, in whatsoever you are calumniated, those traducing your good deportment in Christ may be ashamed. 17For it is better, doing good, if the will of the Lord should will it, to suffer, rather than doing evil. 18Because Christ indeed once died for our sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, indeed being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in spirit: 19by which also having gone he proclaimed to the spirits in prison; 20who at one time were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, the ark being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through the water. 21Which antitype baptism does even now save you, not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the seeking after a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22who is on the right hand of God, having gone up into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being subordinated unto him.