Wives and Husbands
(Song of Solomon 1:1-3; Ephesians 5:22-33)
1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Turn from Evil
8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
Suffering for Righteousness
(Romans 6:15-23)
14But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Wives and Husbands
(Song of Solomon 1:1–17; Ephesians 5:22–33)
1 In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; 2 seeing your pure behavior in fear. 3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; 4 but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.
7 You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.
Turning from Evil
8 Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, 9 not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For, “He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good?
Suffering for Righteousness
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: 16 having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil. 18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
Wives and Husbands
(Song of Solomon 1:1–17; Ephesians 5:22–33)
1 Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives 2 when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, 4 but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 5 For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.
7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Turning from Evil
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11 He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and His ears are inclined to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do evil.” a
13 Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
Suffering for Righteousness
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.” b 15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. c Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered d for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, 19 in whom e He also went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.
In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. 21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of f a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
Footnotes:
12 a Psalm 34:12–16 (see also LXX)
14 b Or “Do not fear their threats; do not be shaken.” Isaiah 8:12
15 c BYZ and TR But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. This sentence may also be included with the quotation from the previous verse; see Isaiah 8:13.
18 d NE and WH died
19 e Or in the spirit, 19in which
21 f Or appeal for
Wives and Husbands
(Song of Solomon 1:1-3; Ephesians 5:22-33)
1In like manner, the wives, be ye subject to your own husbands, that even if certain are disobedient to the word, through the conversation of the wives, without the word, they may be won, 2having beheld your pure behaviour in fear, 3whose adorning -- let it not be that which is outward, of plaiting of hair, and of putting around of things of gold, or of putting on of garments, 4but -- the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible thing of the meek and quiet spirit, which is, before God, of great price, 5for thus once also the holy women who did hope on God, were adorning themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6as Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him 'sir,' of whom ye did become daughters, doing good, and not fearing any terror.
7The husbands, in like manner, dwelling with them, according to knowledge, as to a weaker vessel -- to the wife -- imparting honour, as also being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.
Turn from Evil
8And finally, being all of one mind, having fellow-feeling, loving as brethren, compassionate, courteous, 9not giving back evil for evil, or railing for railing, and on the contrary, blessing, having known that to this ye were called, that a blessing ye may inherit;
10for 'he who is willing to love life, and to see good days, let him guard his tongue from evil, and his lips -- not to speak guile;
11let him turn aside 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 -- to their supplication, and the face of the Lord is upon those doing evil;'
13and who is he who will be doing you evil, if of Him who is good ye may become imitators?
Suffering for Righteousness
(Romans 6:15-23)
14but if ye also should suffer because of righteousness, happy are ye! and of their fear be not afraid, nor be troubled, 15and the Lord God sanctify in your hearts. And be ready always for defence to every one who is asking of you an account concerning the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16having a good conscience, that in that in which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who are traducing your good behaviour in Christ; 17for it is better doing good, if the will of God will it, to suffer, than doing evil; 18because also Christ once for sin did suffer -- righteous for unrighteous -- that he might lead us to God, having been put to death indeed, in the flesh, and having been made alive in the spirit, 19in which also to the spirits in prison having gone he did preach, 20who sometime disbelieved, when once the long-suffering of God did wait, in days of Noah -- an ark being preparing -- in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water; 21also to which an antitype doth now save us -- baptism, (not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the question of a good conscience in regard to God,) through the rising again of Jesus Christ, 22who is at the right hand of God, having gone on to heaven -- messengers, and authorities, and powers, having been subjected to him.
The Favor of God Paraphrase
Instructions for Wives and Husbands
¹ Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands so that, even if they don’t believe the message of God, they may be won over without words by observing your pure and respectful behavior. ² Your beauty should not come from outward adornments like elaborate hairstyles or gold jewelry, but from the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s eyes. ³ This is how the holy women of the past, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves by submitting to their husbands. ⁴ Just like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give in to fear.
⁵ Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with understanding, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Living in Harmony
⁶ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁷ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ⁸ For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. ⁹ They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. ¹⁰ For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Suffering for Doing Good
¹¹ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹² But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹³ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁴ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁵ For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
¹⁶ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. ¹⁷ After being made alive, He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison—¹⁸ to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it, only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ¹⁹ and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to Him.
Footnotes
1.Gentle and quiet spirit: The original Greek emphasizes a spirit that is calm, peaceful, and free from agitation. In this context, it reflects a strength of character rooted in trust in God rather than external appearances.
2.Weaker vessel: In ancient times, this phrase reflected societal norms about physical strength. In today’s context, it’s understood more as a call for husbands to protect and honor their wives, acknowledging the difference in roles while affirming equal spiritual status.
3.Repay evil with blessing: The call to repay evil with good reflects the radical teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, encouraging believers to break cycles of violence and hatred by embodying God’s love.
4.Inherit a blessing: Peter references God’s covenant promises to those who live in righteousness, affirming that their obedience will lead to spiritual rewards.
5.Spirits in prison: This is a reference to the disobedient spirits from the time of Noah, a mysterious passage suggesting Jesus’ victory over even the spiritual forces of evil.
6.Baptism: Peter connects the flood in Noah’s time to the waters of baptism, symbolizing a fresh start and spiritual cleansing through the resurrection of Jesus.
7.Right hand of God: This phrase conveys Jesus’ position of authority and power, reigning over both human and supernatural forces.
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