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Godly Living

^1 (C1)In the same way, you wives, ^(C2)be ^(F1)submissive to your own husbands subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them so that even if some do not obey the word of God, they may be ^(C3)won over to Christ without discussion by the godly lives of their wives, ^(VR1)2 when they see your modest and respectful behavior together with your devotion and appreciation—love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God.^3 (C1)Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or being superficially preoccupied with dressing in expensive clothes;⁴ but let it be the inner beauty of ^(C1)the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature which is very precious in the sight of God.⁵ For in this way in former times the holy women, ^(C1)who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands and adapting themselves to them;⁶ just as Sarah obeyed Abraham following him and having regard for him as head of their house, ^(C1)calling him ^(F1)lord. And you have become her daughters if you do what is right ^(C2)without being frightened by any fear that is, being respectful toward your husband but not giving in to intimidation, nor allowing yourself to be led into sin, nor to be harmed.

⁷ In the same way, ^(C1)you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship, as with ^(F1)(C2)someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.

⁸ Finally, ^(C1)all of you be like-minded united in spirit, sympathetic, ^(C2)brotherly, ^(C3)kindhearted courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household, and ^(C4)humble in spirit;^9 (C1)and never return evil for evil or ^(C2)insult for insult avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse, but on the contrary, give a ^(C3)blessing pray for one another's well-being, contentment, and protection; for ^(C4)you have been called for this very purpose, that you might ^(C5)inherit a blessing from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection.¹⁰ For,

"^(C1)THE ONE WHO WANTS TO ENJOY LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS good—whether apparent or not,
MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FREE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING GUILE (treachery, deceit).

¹¹ "^(C1)HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
HE MUST SEARCH FOR PEACE with God, with self, with others AND PURSUE IT EAGERLY actively—not merely desiring it.

¹² "^(C1)FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE looking favorably UPON THE RIGHTEOUS (the upright),
AND HIS EARS ARE ATTENTIVE TO THEIR PRAYER (eager to answer),
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO PRACTICE EVIL." ^(VR1)

¹³ Now ^(C1)who is there to hurt you if you become enthusiastic for what is good?¹⁴ But even if you should ^(C1)suffer for the sake of righteousness though it is not certain that you will, ^(C2)you are still blessed happy, to be admired and favored by God. ^(C3)DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR INTIMIDATING THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED or DISTURBED by their opposition.¹⁵ But in your hearts set ^(C1)Christ apart as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives as Lord. Always be ready ^(C2)to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the ^(C1)hope and confident assurance elicited by faith that is within you, yet do it ^(C3)with gentleness and ^(C4)respect. ^(VR1)16 And see to it that your ^(C1)conscience is entirely clear, so that every time ^(C2)you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed by their own words.¹⁷ For ^(C1)it is better that you suffer unjustly for doing what is right, ^(C2)if that should be God's will, than to suffer justly for doing wrong.¹⁸ For indeed ^(C1)Christ died for sins ^(C2)once for all, the Just and Righteous for the unjust and unrighteous the Innocent for the guilty so that He might ^(C3)bring us to God, having been put to death ^(C4)in the flesh, but made alive ^(C5)in the Spirit;¹⁹ in which He also went and preached to the spirits now in prison,²⁰ who once were disobedient, when the great ^(C1)patience of God was ^(C2)waiting in the days of Noah, during the building of ^(C3)the ark, in which a few, that is, ^(C4)eight ^(C5)persons Noah's family, were brought safely through the water. ^{(VR1)21 (C1)}Corresponding to that rescue through the flood, baptism which is an expression of a believer's new life in Christ now ^(F1)saves you, ^(C2)not by removing dirt from the body, but by an appeal to God for a ^(C3)good (clear) conscience, demonstrating what you believe to be yours through ^(C4)the resurrection of Jesus Christ,^22 (C1)who has gone into heaven and ^(C2)is at the right hand of God that is, the place of honor and authority, ^(C3)with all angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him.