1 Petro 3
1 Nanyi wake, jiwekeni chini ya mamlaka ya waume zenu, ili kama wako waume wowote wasioamini neno la Mungu, wapate kuamini kwa kuuona mwenendo wenu. Haitakuwa lazima kwenu kusema neno,
Ye women likewise, be subject to your own husbands, that if any believe not the word, they may yet without the word be gained over by the deportment of the wives,
2 kwani wataona jinsi mwenendo wenu ulivyo safi na wa kumcha Mungu.
beholding your chaste conversation in the fear of God.
3 Katika kujipamba kwenu msitegemee mambo ya njenje, kama vile mitindo ya kusuka nywele, kujivalia vitu vya dhahabu na nguo maridadi.
Whose adorning, let it not be that without, of plaiting the hair, and putting on of gold, or wearing fine clothes;
4 Bali, uzuri wenu unapaswa kutokana na hali ya ndani ya utu wa kweli, uzuri usioharibika wa wema na utulivu wa roho, ambao ni wa thamani kubwa mbele ya Mungu.
but the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 Ndivyo walivyojipamba hapo kale wanawake waadilifu waliomtumainia Mungu; walijiweka chini ya mamlaka ya waume zao.
For so also formerly the holy women, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being submissive to their husbands; as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him her lord:
6 Sara kwa mfano alimtii Abrahamu na kumwita yeye bwana. Ninyi mmekuwa sasa binti zake kama mkitenda mema bila kuogopa tisho lolote.
whose daughters ye are, if ye do well, and are not terrified with any sinful fear.
7 Kadhalika nanyi waume, katika kuishi na wake zenu mnapaswa kutambua kwamba wao ni dhaifu na hivyo muwatendee kwa heshima; maana nao pia watapokea pamoja nanyi zawadi ya uzima anayowapeni Mungu. Hapo ndipo sala zenu hazitakataliwa.
Ye husbands likewise, dwell with them according to knowledge, yielding due respect to the wife as the weaker vessel, and as joint-heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Mwisho nasema hivi: mnapaswa kuwa na moyo mmoja, na fikira moja; mnapaswa kupendana kidugu, kuwa wapole na wanyenyekevu ninyi kwa ninyi.
Finally, my beloved, be unanimous, be sympathizing, love as brethren, be compassionate, be courteous:
9 Msiwalipe watu ovu kwa ovu, au tusi kwa tusi; bali watakieni baraka, maana ninyi mliitwa na Mungu mpate kupokea baraka.
not returning evil for evil, or reproach for reproach: but on the contrary blessing even those that curse you: knowing ye are called unto this, that ye may obtain a blessing.
10 Kama yasemavyo Maandiko Matakatifu: “Anayetaka kufurahia maisha, na kuona siku za fanaka, anapaswa kuacha kusema mabaya na kuacha kusema uongo.
"For he that would desire life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile;
11 Na ajiepushe na uovu, atende mema, atafute amani na kuizingatia.
let him turn away from evil, and do good:
12 Maana Bwana huwatazama kwa wema waadilifu na kuzisikiliza sala zao. Lakini huwapa kisogo watu watendao maovu.”
let him seek peace, and pursue it: for the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
13 Ni nani atakayeweza kuwadhuru ninyi kama mkizingatia kutenda mema?
And who will hurt you, if ye be imitators of Him that is good?
14 Lakini, hata kama itawapasa kuteseka kwa sababu ya kutenda mema, basi, mna heri. Msimwogope mtu yeyote, wala msikubali kutiwa katika wasiwasi.
But if ye should even suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and therefore be not afraid of their menaces, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
15 Lakini mtukuzeni Kristo kama Bwana mioyoni mwenu. Muwe tayari kumjibu yeyote atakayewaulizeni juu ya matumaini yaliyo ndani yenu,
and be always ready to answer every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and reverence:
16 lakini fanyeni hivyo kwa upole na heshima. Muwe na dhamiri njema, kusudi mnapotukanwa, wale wanaosema ubaya juu ya mwenendo wenu mwema kama Wakristo, waone aibu.
having a good conscience, that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who calumniate your good conversation in Christ.
17 Maana ni afadhali kuteseka kwa sababu ya kutenda mema, kama Mungu akipenda, kuliko kuteseka kwa sababu ya kutenda uovu.
For it is better (if it be the will of God) to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 Kwa maana Kristo mwenyewe alikufa kwa ajili ya dhambi zenu; alikufa mara moja tu na ikatosha, mtu mwema kwa ajili ya waovu, ili awapeleke ninyi kwa Mungu. Aliuawa kimwili lakini akafanywa hai kiroho;
As Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust (that He might introduce us to God) being indeed put to death in the flesh, but raised to life by the Spirit:
19 na kwa maisha yake ya kiroho alikwenda kuwahubiria wale roho waliokuwa kifungoni.
by which also He went and preached to the spirits now in prison;
20 Hao ndio wale waliokataa kumtii Mungu alipowangoja kwa saburi wakati Noa alipokuwa anatayarisha ile safina. Ndani ya chombo hicho ni watu wachache tu, yaani watu wanane, waliookolewa majini,
who of old were disobedient, when the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing; wherein a few, that is eight souls, were saved by water.
21 ambayo yalikuwa mfano wa ubatizo unaowaokoa ninyi sasa. Ubatizo si shauri la kuondoa uchafu mwilini, bali ni ahadi kwa Mungu inayofanyika katika dhamiri njema. Huwaokoeni kwa njia ya ufufuo wa Yesu Kristo,
The resemblance of which, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the outward cleansing of filth from the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 ambaye alikwenda mbinguni na sasa amekaa upande wa kulia wa Mungu, anatawala juu ya malaika, wakuu na wenye enzi.
who is gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him.
A Dove is Sent Forth from the Ark
