13 Who is going to Harm you
If you are Eager to Do Good?
14 But even if you Should Suffer
For what is Right,
YOU ARE BLESSED.
“DO NOT FEAR THEIR THREATS,
DO NOT BE FRIGHTENED.”
15 But in your hearts
REVERE CHRIST AS LORD.
Always be Prepared to Give an Answer
To Everyone who Asks you
To Give the Reason for the Hope
That you have.
BUT DO THIS WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT,
16 KEEPING A CLEAR CONSCIENCE,
So that those who Speak
Maliciously Against your Good Behavior in Christ
May be Ashamed of their Slander.
17 For it is Better, if it is God’s Will,
To Suffer for Doing good
Than for Doing Evil.
18 For Christ also Suffered
ONCE FOR SINS,
The Righteous for the Unrighteous,
TO BRING YOU TO GOD.
He was Put to Death in the Body
But Made Alive in the Spirit.
19 After Being Made Alive,
He went and Made Proclamation
To the Imprisoned spirits--
20 To those who were Disobedient Long Ago
When God Waited Patiently
In the Days of Noah
While the Ark was Being Built.
IN IT ONLY A FEW PEOPLE,
EIGHT IN ALL, WERE SAVED
Through water.
21 AND WATER SYMBOLIZES BAPTISM
THAT NOW SAVES YOU ALSO--
Not the removal of Dirt from the Body
BUT THE PLEDGE OF GOOD CONSCIENCE
TOWARD GOD.
IT SAVE YOU BY THE RESURRECTION
OF JESUS CHRIST,
22 Who has Gone into Heaven
And is at God’s Right Hand--
With Angles, Authorities and Powers
IN SUBMISSION TO HIM.
(1 Peter 3:13-22, NIV)
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