1 Peter 3:1-12 ▼

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.

12 for the eyes of the Lord are upon the virtuous, and his ears attend to their prayers, but the wicked he discountenances."