彼得前書 3

妻子和丈夫

1 同樣，你們作妻子的，要順服自己的丈夫，這樣，即使有不信從道理的丈夫，也會因妻子的品行，並非言語，而感化過來， 2 因為看見了你們敬虔純潔的品行。 3 你們不要藉外表來妝飾自己，如編頭髮，戴金飾，穿美麗的衣裳等， 4 而要有蘊藏在人內心不衰退的美，以溫柔嫻靜的心妝飾自己；這在上帝面前是極寶貴的。 5 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 就如撒拉聽從亞伯拉罕，稱他為主。你們只要行善，不怕任何恐嚇，就成為撒拉的女兒了。

7 同樣，你們作丈夫的，要按情理t跟妻子共同生活，體貼女性是比較軟弱的器皿；要尊重她，因為她也與你一同承受生命之恩。這樣，你們的禱告就不會受阻礙。

為義受苦

8 總而言之，你們都要同心，彼此體恤，相愛如弟兄，存憐憫和謙卑的心。 9 不要以惡報惡，以辱罵還辱罵，倒要祝福，因為你們正是為此蒙召的，好使你們承受福氣。 10 因為經上說： 「凡要愛惜生命、 享受好日子的人， 要禁止舌頭不出惡言， 嘴唇不說詭詐的話。

11 也要棄惡行善， 尋求和睦，一心追求。

12 因為主的眼看顧義人， 他的耳聽他們的祈禱； 但主向行惡的人變臉。」

13 你們若熱心行善，有誰會害你們呢？ 14 即使你們為義受苦，也是有福的。不要怕人的威嚇，也不要驚慌； 15 只要心裏奉主基督為聖，尊他為主。有人問你們心中盼望的理由，要隨時準備答覆； 16 不過，要以溫柔、敬畏的心回答。要存無虧的良心，使你們在何事上被毀謗，就在何事上使那些凌辱你們在基督裏有好品行的人自覺羞愧。 17 上帝的旨意若是要你們因行善受苦，這總比因行惡受苦好。

18 因為基督也曾一次為罪受苦 t， 就是義的代替不義的， 為要引領你們t到上帝面前。 在肉體裏，他被治死； 但在靈裏，他復活了。

19 他藉這靈也曾去向那些在監獄裏的靈傳道， 20 就是那些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，藉著水得救的不多，只有八個人。 21 這水所預表的洗禮，現在藉著耶穌基督的復活拯救你們，不是除掉肉體的污穢，而是向上帝懇求有無虧的良心。 22 耶穌已經到天上去，在上帝的右邊，眾天使、有權柄的、有權能的都服從了他。

1 PETER 3

Wives and Husbands

1  t If you are a wife, you must put your husband first. Even if he opposes our message, you will win him over by what you do. No one else will have to say anything to him, 2 because he will see how you honor God and live a pure life. 3 t Don't depend on things like fancy hairdos or gold jewelry or expensive clothes to make you look beautiful.

4 Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.
5 Long ago those women who worshiped God and put their hope in him made themselves beautiful by putting their husbands first.

6 For example, Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her true children, if you do right and don't let anything frighten you.

7  t If you are a husband, you should be thoughtful of your wife. Treat her with honor, because she isn't as strong as you are, and she shares with you in the gift of life. Then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Right

8 Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble.

9 Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,

10  t “Do you really love life?
Do you want to be happy?
Then stop saying cruel things
and quit telling lies.

11 Give up your evil ways
and do right,
as you find and follow
the road to peace.

12 The Lord watches over
everyone who obeys him,
and he listens
to their prayers.
But he opposes everyone
who does evil.”
13 Can anyone really harm you for being eager to do good deeds? 14 t t Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don't worry about what people might do.

15 Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life.
Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. 16 Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.

17 You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong.

18 Christ died once for our sins.
An innocent person died
for those who are guilty.
Christ did this
to bring you to God,
when his body
was put to death
and his spirit
was made alive.
19 Christ then preached to the spirits that were being kept in prison.

20 t t They had disobeyed God while Noah was building the boat, but God had been patient with them. Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood.
21 Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death. 22 Christ is now in heaven, where he sits at the right sidet of God. All angels, authorities, and powers are under his control.