About this salvation the prophets who prophesied of the blessing that was destined for you made the most careful investigation,

It was disclosed to them that they were serving not themselves but you in dealing with these things, which have now been told you by those who through the holy Spirit sent from heaven brought you the good news; things into which angels long to look!

who was predestined for this before the foundation of the world, but was revealed only at the end of the ages,

He committed no sin, and deceit was never on his lips.

He was abused but he did not retort. He suffered but he did not threaten, but committed his case to him who judges justly.

It was in that way in ancient times that those pious women who set their hopes on God made themselves attractive. They were submissive to their husbands,

For Christ himself died once for all, for sin, an upright man for unrighteous men, to bring us to God, and was physically put to death, but he was made alive in the Spirit.

This is why the good news was preached to the dead also, that though they are judged in their physical nature as men are, they may yet live, like God, in the Spirit.