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，

Married women, in the same way, be submissive to your husbands, so that even if some of them disbelieve the Message, they may, apart from the Message, be won over by the daily life of their wives, after watching your daily life--

2 因為他們看見了，你們懷有敬畏的貞潔品行。

so full of reverence, and so blameless!

3 你們的裝飾不應是外面的髮型、金飾，或衣服的裝束，

Your adornment ought not to be a merely outward thing--one of plaiting the hair, putting on jewelry, or wearing beautiful dresses.

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。

Instead of that, it should be a new nature within--the imperishable ornament of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is indeed precious in the sight of God.

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 in ancient times also this was the way the holy women who set their hopes upon God used to adorn themselves, being submissive 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。

Thus, for instance, Sarah obeyed Abraham, acknowledging his authority over her. And you have become Sarah's children if you do what is right and permit nothing whatever to terrify you.

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。

Married men, in the same way, live with your wives with a clear recognition of the fact that they are weaker than you. Yet, since you are heirs with them of God's free gift of Life, treat them with honour; so that your prayers may not be hindered.

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；

In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize, kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded,

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 requiting evil with evil nor abuse with abuse, but, on the contrary, giving a blessing in return, because a blessing is what you have been called by God to inherit.

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 "He who wishes to be well-satisfied with life and see happy days-- let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from deceitful words;

11 躲避邪惡，努力行善，尋求和平，全心追隨，

Let him turn from evil, and do good; Let him inquire for peace and go in pursuit of 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 upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their supplication; but the face of the Lord is set against evil-doers."

13 如果你們熱心行善，誰能加害你們呢？

And who will be able to harm you, if you show yourselves zealous for 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，

But even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are to be envied. So do not be alarmed by their threats, nor 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 in your hearts consecrate Christ as Lord, being always ready to make your defence to any one who asks from you a reason for the hope which you cherish.

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。

Yet argue modestly and cautiously, keeping your consciences free from guilt, so that, when you are spoken against, those who slander your good Christian lives may be put to shame.

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 that you should suffer for doing right, if such be God's will, than for doing evil;

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。

because Christ also once for all died for sins, the innocent One for the guilty many, in order to bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

19 他藉這神魂，曾去給那些在獄中的靈魂宣講過；

in which He also went and proclaimed His Message to the spirits that were 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。

who in ancient times had been disobedient, while God's longsuffering was patiently waiting in the days of Noah during the building of the Ark, in which a few persons--eight in number--were brought safely through 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。

And, corresponding to that figure, the water of baptism now saves you--not the washing off of material defilement, but the craving of a good conscience after God--through the resurrection of Jesus 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。

who is at God's right hand, having gone into Heaven, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

A Dove is Sent Forth from the Ark