1 Peter 3:1-11 ▼

1 Let the married women be subservient to their husbands, that if they happen to disbelieve the gospel, they may be gain'd by the instructive conduct of their wives,

2 by observing the religious chastity of their manners.

3 let their ornament consist, not in what is external, in curling the hair, in appendages of gold, or finery of dress;

4 but in the internal qualities of the mind, in that purity, in that mild and dispassionate temper, which is so acceptable to the divine being.

5 the holy religious women of former times were thus adorned, and were submissive to their husbands.

6 such was Sarah, who show'd her obeysance to Abraham, by stiling him her Lord: and you will be stiled her children, if you imitate her conduct, and are not to be terrified out of your virtue.

7 You husbands, do you on your part behave with prudence towards your wives: who being of a more delicate make, ought to be treated with the greater tenderness: and consider they are equally intitled to the evangelical gifts, that your prayers may not be frustrated.

8 In a word, live all of you in perfect agreement and sympathy, be full of fraternal love, compassion, and affability.

9 don't return evil for evil, nor calumny for calumny; on the contrary, bestow your benedictions, considering that your vocation obliges you thereto, as a means to obtain the divine blessing.

10 " He that desires to live in prosperity, must restrain his tongue from detraction, and his lips from uttering falsehood:

11 he must avoid vice, practise virtue, seek peace, and persevere in the enquiry.