< 1 Peter 3 >
1 In like manner, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behaviour of their wives;
你們作妻子的要順服自己的丈夫;這樣,若有不信從道理的丈夫,他們雖然不聽道,也可以因妻子的品行被感化過來;
2 beholding your chaste behaviour [coupled] with fear.
這正是因看見你們有貞潔的品行和敬畏的心。
3 Whose [adorning] let it not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel;
你們不要以外面的辮頭髮,戴金飾,穿美衣為妝飾,
4 but [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [apparel] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
只要以裏面存着長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在上帝面前是極寶貴的。
5 For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
因為古時仰賴上帝的聖潔婦人正是以此為妝飾,順服自己的丈夫,
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.
就如撒拉聽從亞伯拉罕,稱他為主。你們若行善,不因恐嚇而害怕,便是撒拉的女兒了。
7 Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with [your wives] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.
你們作丈夫的也要按情理和妻子同住;因她比你軟弱,與你一同承受生命之恩的,所以要敬重她。這樣,便叫你們的禱告沒有阻礙。
8 Finally, [be] ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded:
總而言之,你們都要同心,彼此體恤,相愛如弟兄,存慈憐謙卑的心。
9 not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
不以惡報惡,以辱罵還辱罵,倒要祝福;因你們是為此蒙召,好叫你們承受福氣。
10 For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile:
因為經上說: 人若愛生命, 願享美福, 須要禁止舌頭不出惡言, 嘴唇不說詭詐的話;
11 And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
也要離惡行善, 尋求和睦,一心追趕。
12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.
因為,主的眼看顧義人; 主的耳聽他們的祈禱。 惟有行惡的人,主向他們變臉。
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good?
你們若是熱心行善,有誰害你們呢?
14 But and if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed [are ye]: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;
你們就是為義受苦,也是有福的。不要怕人的威嚇,也不要驚慌;
15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: [being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
只要心裏尊主基督為聖。有人問你們心中盼望的緣由,就要常作準備,以溫柔、敬畏的心回答各人;
16 having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.
存着無虧的良心,叫你們在何事上被毀謗,就在何事上可以叫那誣賴你們在基督裏有好品行的人自覺羞愧。
17 For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.
上帝的旨意若是叫你們因行善受苦,總強如因行惡受苦。
18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the spirit;
因基督也曾一次為罪受苦,就是義的代替不義的,為要引我們到上帝面前。按着肉體說,他被治死;按着靈性說,他復活了。
19 in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison,
他藉這靈曾去傳道給那些在監獄裏的靈聽,
20 which aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
就是那從前在挪亞預備方舟、上帝容忍等待的時候,不信從的人。當時進入方舟,藉着水得救的不多,只有八個人。
21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, [even] baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
這水所表明的洗禮,現在藉着耶穌基督復活也拯救你們;這洗禮本不在乎除掉肉體的污穢,只求在上帝面前有無虧的良心。
22 who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
耶穌已經進入天堂,在上帝的右邊;眾天使和有權柄的,並有能力的,都服從了他。