今日讀經

約沙法尋求神，國位堅固

¹亞撒的兒子約沙法接續他作王，奮勇自強，防備以色列人，Asa’s son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel.

²安置軍兵在猶大一切堅固城裡，又安置防兵在猶大地和他父亞撒所得以法蓮的城邑中。He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

³耶和華與約沙法同在；因為他行他祖大衛初行的道，不尋求巴力，Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals,

⁴只尋求他父親的　神，遵行他的誡命，不效法以色列人的行為。but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.

⁵所以耶和華堅定他的國，猶大眾人給他進貢；約沙法大有尊榮資財。So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor.

⁶他高興遵行耶和華的道，並且從猶大除掉一切邱壇和木偶。And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

派人帶律法書教導百姓

⁷他作王第三年，就差遣臣子便亥伊勒、俄巴底、撒迦利雅、拿坦業、米該亞往猶大各城去教訓百姓。In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah,

⁸同著他們有利未人示瑪雅、尼探雅、西巴第雅、亞撒黑、示米拉末、約拿單、亞多尼雅、多比雅、駝巴多尼雅，又有祭司以利沙瑪、約蘭同著他們。accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

⁹他們帶著耶和華的律法書，走遍猶大各城教訓百姓。They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

列國懼怕，軍力強盛

¹⁰耶和華使猶大四圍的列國都甚恐懼，不敢與約沙法爭戰。And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

¹¹有些非利士人與約沙法送禮物，納貢銀。阿拉伯人也送他公綿羊七千七百隻，公山羊七千七百隻。Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.

¹²約沙法日漸強大，在猶大建造營寨和積貨城。Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah

¹³他在猶大城邑中有許多工程，又在耶路撒冷有戰士，就是大能的勇士。and kept vast supplies in the cities of Judah. He also had warriors in Jerusalem who were mighty men of valor.

¹⁴他們的數目，按著宗族，記在下面：猶大族的千夫長押拿為首率領大能的勇士─三十萬；These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor;

¹⁵其次是，千夫長約哈難率領大能的勇士─二十八萬；next to him, Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000;

¹⁶其次是，細基利的兒子亞瑪斯雅〈他為耶和華犧牲自己〉率領大能的勇士─二十萬。and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer for the LORD, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor.

¹⁷便雅憫族，是大能的勇士以利雅大率領拿弓箭和盾牌的─二十萬；From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields;

¹⁸其次是，約薩拔率領預備打仗的─十八萬。and next to him, Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 armed for battle.

¹⁹這都是伺候王的，還有王在猶大全地堅固城所安置的不在其內。These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

與亞哈結親

¹約沙法大有尊榮資財，就與亞哈結親。Now Jehoshaphat had an abundance of riches and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.

²過了幾年，他下到撒馬利亞去見亞哈；亞哈為他和跟從他的人宰了許多牛羊，勸他與自己同去攻取基列的拉末。And some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria, where Ahab sacrificed many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to march up to Ramoth-gilead.

³以色列王亞哈問猶大王約沙法說：「你肯同我去攻取基列的拉末嗎？」他回答說：「你我不分彼此，我的民與你的民一樣，必與你同去爭戰。」Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people are your people; we will join you in the war.”

四百先知都說吉言

⁴約沙法對以色列王說：「請你先求問耶和華。」But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”

⁵於是以色列王招聚先知四百人，問他們說：「我們上去攻取基列的拉末可以不可以？」他們說：「可以上去，因為　神必將那城交在王的手裡。」So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and God will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

⁶約沙法說：「這裡不是還有耶和華的先知，我們可以求問他嗎？」But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?”

⁷以色列王對約沙法說：「還有一個人，是音拉的兒子米該雅。我們可以託他求問耶和華，只是我恨他；因為他指著我所說的預言，不說吉語，常說凶言。」約沙法說：「王不必這樣說。」The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

⁸以色列王就召了一個太監來，說：「你快去將音拉的兒子米該雅召來。」So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

⁹以色列王和猶大王約沙法在撒馬利亞城門前的空場上，各穿朝服坐在位上，所有的先知都在他們面前說預言。Dressed in royal attire, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them.

¹⁰基拿拿的兒子西底家造了兩個鐵角，說：「耶和華如此說：『你要用這角牴觸亞蘭人，直到將他們滅盡。』」Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’”

¹¹所有的先知也都這樣預言說：「可以上基列的拉末去，必然得勝，因為耶和華必將那城交在王的手中。」And all the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph, for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.”

先知米該雅說實話

¹²那去召米該雅的使者對米該雅說：「眾先知一口同音地都向王說吉言，你不如與他們說一樣的話，也說吉言。」Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.”

¹³米該雅說：「我指著永生的耶和華起誓，我的　神說甚麼，我就說甚麼。」But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever my God tells me.”

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¹⁴米該雅到王面前，王問他說：「米該雅啊，我們上去攻取基列的拉末可以不可以？」他說：「可以上去，必然得勝，敵人必交在你們手裡。」When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up and triumph,” Micaiah replied, “for they will be delivered into your hand.”

¹⁵王對他說：「我當囑咐你幾次，你才奉耶和華的名向我說實話呢？」But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?”

¹⁶米該雅說：「我看見以色列眾民散在山上，如同沒有牧人的羊群一般。耶和華說：『這民沒有主人，他們可以平平安安地各歸各家去。』」So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’”

¹⁷以色列王對約沙法說：「我豈沒有告訴你，這人指著我所說的預言，不說吉語，單說凶言嗎？」Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he never prophesies good for me, but only bad?”

謊言的靈

¹⁸米該雅說：「你們要聽耶和華的話。我看見耶和華坐在寶座上，天上的萬軍侍立在他左右。Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left.

¹⁹耶和華說：『誰去引誘以色列王亞哈上基列的拉末去陣亡呢？』這個就這樣說，那個就那樣說。And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that.

²⁰隨後，有一個神靈出來，站在耶和華面前說：『我去引誘他。』耶和華問他說：『你用何法呢？』Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD.

²¹他說：『我去，要在他眾先知口中作謊言的靈。』耶和華說：『這樣，你必能引誘他，你去如此行吧！』And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’

²²現在耶和華使謊言的靈入了你這些先知的口，並且耶和華已經命定降禍與你。」So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”

²³基拿拿的兒子西底家前來打米該雅的臉，說：「耶和華的靈從哪裡離開我與你說話呢？」Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?”

²⁴米該雅說：「你進嚴密的屋子藏躲的那日，就必看見了。」Micaiah replied, “You will soon see, on that day when you go and hide in an inner room.”

²⁵以色列王說：「將米該雅帶回，交給邑宰亞們和王的兒子約阿施，說：And the king of Israel declared, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son,

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²⁶『王如此說：把這個人下在監裡，使他受苦，吃不飽喝不足，等候我平平安安地回來。』」and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”

²⁷米該雅說：「你若能平安回來，那就是耶和華沒有藉我說這話了」；又說：「眾民哪，你們都要聽！」But Micaiah replied, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take heed, all you people!”

亞哈改裝上陣，中箭而死

²⁸以色列王和猶大王約沙法上基列的拉末去了。So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.

²⁹以色列王對約沙法說：「我要改裝上陣，你可以仍穿王服。」於是以色列王改裝，他們就上陣去了。And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

³⁰先是亞蘭王吩咐車兵長說：「他們的兵將，無論大小，你們都不可與他們爭戰，只要與以色列王爭戰。」Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”

³¹車兵長看見約沙法便說，這必是以色列王，就轉過去與他爭戰。約沙法一呼喊，耶和華就幫助他，　神又感動他們離開他。When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.

³²車兵長見不是以色列王，就轉去不追他了。And when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

³³有一人隨便開弓，恰巧射入以色列王的甲縫裡。王對趕車的說：「我受了重傷，你轉過車來，拉我出陣吧！」However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!”

³⁴那日陣勢越戰越猛，以色列王勉強站在車上抵擋亞蘭人，直到晚上。約在日落的時候，王就死了。The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. And at sunset he died.

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先見耶戶的責備

¹猶大王約沙法平平安安地回耶路撒冷，到宮裡去了。When Jehoshaphat king of Judah had returned safely to his home in Jerusalem,

²先見哈拿尼的兒子耶戶出來迎接約沙法王，對他說：「你豈當幫助惡人，愛那恨惡耶和華的人呢？因此耶和華的忿怒臨到你。Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.

³然而你還有善行，因你從國中除掉木偶，立定心意尋求　神。However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”

約沙法設立審判官

⁴約沙法住在耶路撒冷，以後又出巡民間，從別是巴直到以法蓮山地，引導民歸向耶和華─他們列祖的　神；Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.

⁵又在猶大國中遍地的堅固城裡設立審判官，He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.

⁶對他們說：「你們辦事應當謹慎；因為你們判斷不是為人，乃是為耶和華。判斷的時候，他必與你們同在。Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.

⁷現在你們應當敬畏耶和華，謹慎辦事；因為耶和華─我們的　神沒有不義，不偏待人，也不受賄賂。」And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

⁸約沙法從利未人和祭司，並以色列族長中派定人，在耶路撒冷為耶和華判斷，聽民間的爭訟，就回耶路撒冷去了。Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.

⁹約沙法囑咐他們說：「你們當敬畏耶和華，忠心誠實辦事。He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD.

¹⁰住在各城裡你們的弟兄，若有爭訟的事來到你們這裡，或為流血，或犯律法、誡命、律例、典章，你們要警戒他們，免得他們得罪耶和華，以致他的忿怒臨到你們和你們的弟兄；這樣行，你們就沒有罪了。For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.

¹¹凡屬耶和華的事，有大祭司亞瑪利雅管理你們；凡屬王的事，有猶大支派的族長以實瑪利的兒子西巴第雅管理你們；在你們面前有利未人作官長。你們應當壯膽辦事，願耶和華與善人同在。」Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!”

大軍壓境，約沙法禱告

¹此後，摩押人和亞捫人，又有米烏尼人，一同來攻擊約沙法。After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.

²有人來報告約沙法說：「從海外亞蘭（又作以東）那邊有大軍來攻擊你，如今他們在哈洗遜‧他瑪，就是隱‧基底。」Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).

³約沙法便懼怕，定意尋求耶和華，在猶大全地宣告禁食。Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.

⁴於是猶大人聚會，求耶和華幫助。猶大各城都有人出來尋求耶和華。So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.

⁵約沙法就在猶大和耶路撒冷的會中，站在耶和華殿的新院前，Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD in front of the new courtyard

⁶說：「耶和華─我們列祖的　神啊，你不是天上的　神嗎？你不是萬邦萬國的主宰嗎？在你手中有大能大力，無人能抵擋你。and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.

⁷我們的　神啊，你不是曾在你民以色列人面前驅逐這地的居民，將這地賜給你朋友亞伯拉罕的後裔永遠為業嗎？Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?

⁸他們住在這地，又為你的名建造聖所，說：They have lived in the land and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name, saying,

⁹『倘有禍患臨到我們，或刀兵災殃，或瘟疫饑荒，我們在急難的時候，站在這殿前向你呼求，你必垂聽而拯救，因為你的名在這殿裡。』‘If disaster comes upon us—whether sword or judgment, plague or famine—we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your Name is in this temple. We will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear us and save us.’

¹⁰從前以色列人出埃及地的時候，你不容以色列人侵犯亞捫人、摩押人，和西珥山人，以色列人就離開他們，不滅絕他們。And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt. So Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.

¹¹看哪，他們怎樣報復我們，要來驅逐我們出離你的地，就是你賜給我們為業之地。See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession that You gave us as an inheritance.

¹²我們的　神啊，你不懲罰他們嗎？因為我們無力抵擋這來攻擊我們的大軍，我們也不知道怎樣行，我們的眼目單仰望你。」Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

¹³猶大眾人和他們的嬰孩、妻子、兒女都站在耶和華面前。Meanwhile all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, were standing before the LORD.

勝敗在乎神

¹⁴那時，耶和華的靈在會中臨到利未人亞薩的後裔─瑪探雅的玄孫，耶利的曾孫，比拿雅的孫子，撒迦利雅的兒子雅哈悉。Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly.

¹⁵他說：「猶大眾人、耶路撒冷的居民，和約沙法王，你們請聽。耶和華對你們如此說：『不要因這大軍恐懼驚惶；因為勝敗不在乎你們，乃在乎　神。And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God.

¹⁶明日你們要下去迎敵，他們是從洗斯坡上來，你們必在耶魯伊勒曠野前的谷口遇見他們。Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.

¹⁷猶大和耶路撒冷人哪，這次你們不要爭戰，要擺陣站著，看耶和華為你們施行拯救。不要恐懼，也不要驚惶。明日當出去迎敵，因為耶和華與你們同在。』」You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”

¹⁸約沙法就面伏於地，猶大眾人和耶路撒冷的居民也俯伏在耶和華面前，叩拜耶和華。Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.

¹⁹哥轄族和可拉族的利未人都起來，用極大的聲音讚美耶和華以色列的　神。And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, shouting in a very loud voice.

歌唱讚美，敵軍自相擊殺

²⁰次日清早，眾人起來往提哥亞的曠野去。出去的時候，約沙法站著說：「猶大人和耶路撒冷的居民哪，要聽我說：信耶和華─你們的　神就必立穩；信他的先知就必亨通。」Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”

²¹約沙法既與民商議了，就設立歌唱的人，頌讚耶和華，使他們穿上聖潔的禮服，走在軍前讚美耶和華說：「當稱謝耶和華，因他的慈愛永遠長存！」Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.”

²²眾人方唱歌讚美的時候，耶和華就派伏兵擊殺那來攻擊猶大人的亞捫人、摩押人，和西珥山人，他們就被打敗了。The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

²³因為亞捫人和摩押人起來，擊殺住西珥山的人，將他們滅盡；滅盡住西珥山的人之後，他們又彼此自相擊殺。The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

²⁴猶大人來到曠野的望樓，向那大軍觀看，見屍橫遍地，沒有一個逃脫的。When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

²⁵約沙法和他的百姓就來收取敵人的財物，在屍首中見了許多財物、珍寶，他們剝脫下來的多得不可攜帶；因為甚多，直收取了三日。Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables—more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.

²⁶第四日眾人聚集在比拉迦谷（就是稱頌的意思），在那裡稱頌耶和華。因此那地方名叫比拉迦谷，直到今日。On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they blessed the LORD. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

²⁷猶大人和耶路撒冷人都歡歡喜喜地回耶路撒冷，約沙法率領他們；因為耶和華使他們戰勝仇敵，就歡喜快樂。Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat at their head, returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.

²⁸他們彈琴、鼓瑟、吹號來到耶路撒冷，進了耶和華的殿。So they entered Jerusalem and went into the house of the LORD with harps, lyres, and trumpets.

²⁹列邦諸國聽見耶和華戰敗以色列的仇敵，就甚懼怕。And the fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

³⁰這樣，約沙法的國得享太平，因為　神賜他四境平安。Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

約沙法的晚年

³¹約沙法作猶大王，登基的時候年三十五歲，在耶路撒冷作王二十五年。他母親名叫阿蘇巴，乃示利希的女兒。So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.

³²約沙法效法他父亞撒所行的，不偏左右，行耶和華眼中看為正的事。And Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father Asa and did not turn away from it; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.

³³只是邱壇還沒有廢去，百姓也沒有立定心意歸向他們列祖的　神。The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers.

³⁴約沙法其餘的事，自始至終都寫在哈拿尼的兒子耶戶的書上，也載入以色列諸王記上。As for the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the Chronicles of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.

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³⁵此後，猶大王約沙法與以色列王亞哈謝交好；亞哈謝行惡太甚。Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly.

³⁶二王合夥造船要往他施去，遂在以旬．迦別造船。They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish, and these were built in Ezion-geber.

³⁷那時瑪利沙人、多大瓦的兒子以利以謝向約沙法預言說：「因你與亞哈謝交好，耶和華必破壞你所造的。」後來那船果然破壞，不能往他施去了。Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.” So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish.

¹約沙法與他列祖同睡，葬在大衛城他列祖的墳地裡。他兒子約蘭接續他作王。And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And his son Jehoram reigned in his place.

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天使差腓利往曠野路上

²⁶有主的一個使者對腓利說：「起來！向南走，往那從耶路撒冷下迦薩的路上去。」那路是曠野。Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

衣索匹亞的太監

²⁷腓利就起身去了，不料，有一個衣索匹亞（就是古實，見以賽亞十八章一節）人，是個有大權的太監，在衣索匹亞女王甘大基的手下總管銀庫，他上耶路撒冷禮拜去了。So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship,

²⁸現在回來，在車上坐著，念先知以賽亞的書。and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet.

你所念的，你明白嗎

²⁹聖靈對腓利說：「你去！貼近那車走。」The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”

³⁰腓利就跑到太監那裡，聽見他念先知以賽亞的書，便問他說：「你所念的，你明白嗎？」So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

³¹他說：「沒有人指教我，怎能明白呢？」於是請腓利上車，與他同坐。“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

太監所念的經

³²他所念的那段經，說：他像羊被牽到宰殺之地，又像羊羔在剪毛的人手下無聲；他也是這樣不開口。The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

³³他卑微的時候，人不按公義審判他（原文是他的審判被奪去）；誰能述說他的世代？因為他的生命從地上奪去。In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.”

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從這經上起傳講耶穌

³⁴太監對腓利說：「請問，先知說這話是指著誰？是指著自己呢？是指著別人呢？」“Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”

³⁵腓利就開口從這經上起，對他傳講耶穌。Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

這裡有水

³⁶二人正往前走，到了有水的地方，太監說：「看哪，這裡有水，我受洗有甚麼妨礙呢？」（有古卷加：As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?”

³⁷腓利說：「你若是一心相信，就可以。」他回答說：「我信耶穌基督是　神的兒子。」）（BSB 英譯本沒有這一節）

腓利給太監施洗

³⁸於是吩咐車站住，腓利和太監二人同下水裡去，腓利就給他施洗。And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

腓利被提去

³⁹從水裡上來，主的靈把腓利提了去，太監也不再見他了，就歡歡喜喜地走路。When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

⁴⁰後來有人在亞鎖都遇見腓利；他走遍那地方，在各城宣傳福音，直到凱撒利亞。But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.