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，

In 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,

2 因為他們看見了，你們懷有敬畏的貞潔品行。

having beheld your pure behaviour in fear,

3 你們的裝飾不應是外面的髮型、金飾，或衣服的裝束，

whose 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,

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 — the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible thing of the meek and quiet spirit, which is, before God, of great price,

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 thus once also the holy women who did hope on God, were adorning themselves, being subject to their own 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 Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him 'sir,' of whom ye did become daughters, doing good, and not fearing any terror.

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。

The 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.

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；

And finally, being all of one mind, having fellow-feeling, loving as brethren, compassionate, 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 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;

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 is willing to love life, and to see good days, let him guard his tongue from evil, and his lips — not to speak guile;

11 躲避邪惡，努力行善，尋求和平，全心追隨，

let him turn aside from evil, and do good, let him seek peace and pursue 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。』

because 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;'

13 如果你們熱心行善，誰能加害你們呢？

and who [is] he who will be doing you evil, if of Him who is good ye may become imitators?

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 if ye also should suffer because of righteousness, happy [are ye]! and of their fear be not afraid, nor 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，

and 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;

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。

having 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;

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 doing good, if the will of God will it, to suffer, than 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 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,

19 他藉這神魂，曾去給那些在獄中的靈魂宣講過；

in which also to the spirits in prison having gone he did preach,

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 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;

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。

also 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,

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 the right hand of God, having gone on to heaven — messengers, and authorities, and powers, having been subjected to him.

A Dove is Sent Forth from the Ark