THE PLEDGE OF GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD

 

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)