彼得前書 3

1 同樣，你們做妻子的，應當服從自己的丈夫，好叫那些不信從天主話的，為了妻子無言的品行而受感化，

Likewise let the wiues bee subiect to their husbands, that euen they which obey not the worde, may without the worde be wonne by the conuersation of the wiues,

2 因為他們看見了，你們懷有敬畏的貞潔品行。

While they beholde your pure conuersation, which is with feare.

3 你們的裝飾不應是外面的髮型、金飾，或衣服的裝束，

Whose apparelling, let it not be that outwarde, with broyded heare, and golde put about, or in putting on of apparell:

4 而應是那藏於內心，基於不朽的溫柔，和寧靜心神的人格：這在天主前纔是寶貴的。

But let it bee the hidde man of the heart, which consisteth in the incorruption of a meeke and quiet spirite, which is before God a thing much set by.

5 從前那些仰望天主的聖婦，正是這樣裝飾了自己，服從了自己的丈夫。

For euen after this maner in time past did the holy women, which trusted in God, tire them selues, and were subiect to their husbands.

6 就如撒辣聽從了亞巴郎，稱他為「主」；你們如果行善，不害怕任何恐嚇，你們就是她的女兒。

As Sara obeyed Abraham, and called him Sir: whose daughters ye are, whiles yee doe well, not being afraide of any terrour.

7 同樣，你們作丈夫的，應該憑著信仰的智慧與妻子同居，待她們有如較為脆弱的器皿，尊敬她們，有如與你們共享生命恩寵的繼承人：這樣你們的祈禱便不會受到阻礙。

Likewise ye husbands, dwel with them as men of knowledge, giuing honour vnto the woman, as vnto the weaker vessell, euen as they which are heires together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not interrupted.

8 總之，你們都該同心合意，互表同情，友愛弟兄，慈悲為懷，謙遜溫和；

Finally, be ye all of one minde: one suffer with another: loue as brethren: bee pitifull: bee courteous,

9 總不要以惡報惡，以罵還罵；但要祝福，因為你們原是為繼承祝福而蒙召的。

Not rendring euil for euill, neither rebuke for rebuke: but contrarywise blesse, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should be heires of blessing.

10 所以『凡願意愛惜生命，和願意享見幸福日子的，就應謹守口舌，不說壞話，克制嘴唇，不言欺詐；

For if any man long after life, and to see good dayes, let him refraine his tongue from euill, and his lippes that they speake no guile.

11 躲避邪惡，努力行善，尋求和平，全心追隨，

Let him eschew euil, and do good: let him seeke peace, and follow after it.

12 因為上主的雙目垂顧正義的人，他的兩耳俯聽他們的哀聲；但上主的威容敵視作惡的人。』

For the eyes of the Lord are ouer the righteous, and his eares are open vnto their prayers: and the face of the Lord is against them that do euil.

13 如果你們熱心行善，誰能加害你們呢？

And who is it that will harme you, if ye follow that which is good?

14 但若你們為正義而受苦，纔是有福的。你們不要害怕人們的恐嚇，也不要心亂，

Notwithstanding blessed are ye, if ye suffer for righteousnes sake. Yea, feare not their feare, neither be troubled.

15 你們但要在心內尊崇基督為主；若有人詢問你們心中所懷希望的理由，你們要時常準備答覆，

But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready alwayes to giue an answere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekenesse and reuerence,

16 且要以溫和、以敬畏之心答覆，保持純潔的良心，好使那些誣告你們在基督內有良好品行的人，在他們誹謗你們的事上，感到羞愧。

Hauing a good coscience, that whe they speake euill of you as of euill doers, they may be ashamed, which slander your good conuersation in Christ.

17 若天主的旨意要你們因行善而受苦，自然比作惡而受苦更好，

For it is better (if the will of God be so) that ye suffer for well doing, then for euil doing.

18 因為基督也曾一次為罪而死，且是義人代替不義的人，為將我們領到天主面前；就肉身說，他固然被處死了；但就神魂說，他卻復活了。

For Christ also hath once suffered for sinnes, the iust for the vniust, that he might bring vs to God, and was put to death concerning the flesh, but was quickened by the spirit.

19 他藉這神魂，曾去給那些在獄中的靈魂宣講過；

By the which hee also went, and preached vnto the spirits that are in prison.

20 這些靈魂從前在諾厄建造方舟的時日，天主耐心期待之時，原是不信的人；當時賴方舟經過水而得救的不多，只有八個生靈。

Which were in time passed disobedient, when once the long suffering of God abode in the dayes of Noe, while the Arke was preparing, wherein fewe, that is, eight soules were saued in the water.

21 這水所預表的聖洗，如今賴耶穌基督的復活拯救了你們，並不是滌除肉體的污穢，而是向天主要求一純潔的良心。

Whereof the baptisme that nowe is, answering that figure, (which is not a putting away of the filth of the flesh, but a confident demaunding which a good conscience maketh to God) saueth vs also by the resurrection of Iesus Christ,

22 至於耶穌基督，他升了天，坐在天主的右邊，眾天使、掌權者和異能者都屈伏在他權下。

Which is at the right hand of God, gone into heauen, to whom the Angels, and Powers, and might are subiect.

A Dove is Sent Forth from the Ark