彼得前書 2
信徒像活石被建造成靈宮
1 所以要除去一切惡毒、一切詭詐、虛偽、嫉妒和一切毀謗的話,2 像初生嬰孩愛慕那純淨的靈奶,好叫你們靠它長大,進入救恩;3 因為你們已經體驗過主是美善的。4 主是活石,雖然被人棄絕,卻是 神所揀選所珍貴的;你們到他面前來,5 也就像活石,被建造成為靈宮,作聖潔的祭司,藉著耶穌基督獻上蒙 神悅納的靈祭。
6 因為經上記著:
“看哪,我在錫安放了一塊石頭,
就是所揀選所珍貴的房角石,
信靠他的人,必不致失望。”
7 所以這石頭,對你們信的人是寶貴的,但對那不信的人,卻是“建築工人所棄的石頭,
成了房角的主要石頭。”
8 它又“作了絆腳的石頭,
使人跌倒的磐石。”
他們跌倒是因為不順從這道,他們這樣是必然的。
9 然而你們是蒙揀選的族類,是君尊的祭司,是聖潔的國民,是屬 神的子民,為要叫你們宣揚那召你們出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。10 “你們從前不是子民,現在卻是 神的子民;
從前未蒙憐恤,
現在卻蒙了憐恤。”
應當品行端正
11 親愛的,我勸你們作客旅和寄居的人,要禁戒肉體的私慾,這私慾是與靈魂爭戰的。
12 你們在教外人中,應當品行端正,使那些人,雖然毀謗你們是作惡的,但因為看見你們的好行為,就要在鑒察的日子頌讚 神。
13 你們為主的緣故,要順服人的一切制度,無論是至尊的君王,14 或是君王所派賞善罰惡的官員;15 因為這是 神的旨意,要藉著你們的善行,塞住糊塗無知人的口。16 你們是自由的人,但不要用自由來掩飾邪惡,總要像 神的僕人。
17 要尊重眾人,愛護弟兄,敬畏 神,尊敬君王。
基督受苦的榜樣
18 你們作僕人的,要凡事敬畏順服主人,不單是對善良溫和的,就是乖僻的也要順服。19 因為人若在 神面前為良心的緣故,忍受冤屈的苦楚,是有福的。20 你們若因犯罪受責打而能忍耐,有甚麼可誇的呢?但你們若因行善而受苦,能忍耐,在 神看來,這是有福的。
21 你們就是為此蒙召,因基督也為你們受過苦,給你們留下榜樣,叫你們跟隨他的腳蹤行。
22 “他從來沒有犯過罪,口裡也找不到詭詐。”
23 他被罵的時候不還嘴,受苦的時候也不說恐嚇的話;只把自己交託給那公義的審判者。24 他在木頭上親身擔當了我們的罪,使我們既然不活在罪中,就可以為義而活。因他受的鞭傷,你們就得了醫治。
25 你們從前好像迷路的羊,但現在已經回到你們靈魂的牧人和監督那裡了。
1 Peter 2
1 So get rid oft all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.2 Andt yearnt like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk,t so that by it you may grow up tot salvation,s
3 if you have experiencedtthe Lord’s kindness.s
A Living Stone, a Chosen People
4 So as you come to him,t a living stone rejected by men butt chosen and pricelesst in God’s sight,5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offert spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6 For it sayst in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone,tand whoever believestin himtwill nevertbe put to shame.”s7 So you who believe seet his value,t but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become thetcornerstone,s8 and a stumbling-stonetand a rock to trip over.s They stumblet because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.t9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtuess of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Yout once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy,s but now you have received mercy.
11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul,
12 and maintain good conductt among the non-Christians,t so that thought they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.t
Submission to Authorities
13 Be subject to every human institutiont for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme14 or to governors as those he commissionst to punish wrongdoers and praiset those who do good.15 For God wants yout to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.16 Livet as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves.ts
17 Honor all people, love the family of believers,t fear God, honor the king.
18 Slaves,t be subjectt to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.19 For this finds God’s favor,t if because of conscience toward Godst someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly.20 For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.t21 For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.22 Hetcommitted no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.s23 When he was maligned, het did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatenedt no retaliation,s but committed himself to Godt who judges justly.24 Hethimself bore our sinss in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinningt and live for righteousness. By histwoundstyou were healed.s
25 For you were going astray like sheeps but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.