今日讀經

金像與開光之禮

¹尼布甲尼撒王造了一個金像，高六十肘，寬六肘，立在巴比倫省杜拉平原。King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

²尼布甲尼撒王差人將總督、欽差、巡撫、臬司、藩司、謀士、法官，和各省的官員都召了來，為尼布甲尼撒王所立的像行開光之禮。Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue he had set up.

³於是總督、欽差、巡撫、臬司、藩司、謀士、法官，和各省的官員都聚集了來，要為尼布甲尼撒王所立的像行開光之禮，就站在尼布甲尼撒所立的像前。So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

聽見樂器聲就要下拜

⁴那時傳令的大聲呼叫說：「各方、各國、各族（原文是舌：下同）的人哪，有令傳與你們：Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “O people of every nation and language, this is what you are commanded:

⁵你們一聽見角、笛、琵琶、琴、瑟、笙，和各樣樂器的聲音，就當俯伏敬拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像。As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

⁶凡不俯伏敬拜的，必立時扔在烈火的窯中。」And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.”

⁷因此各方、各國、各族的人民一聽見角、笛、琵琶、琴、瑟，和各樣樂器的聲音，就都俯伏敬拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像。Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, the people of every nation and language would fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

控告猶大人

⁸那時，有幾個迦勒底人進前來控告猶大人。At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews,

⁹他們對尼布甲尼撒王說：「願王萬歲！saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever!

¹⁰王啊，你曾降旨說，凡聽見角、笛、琵琶、琴、瑟、笙，和各樣樂器聲音的都當俯伏敬拜金像。You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue,

¹¹凡不俯伏敬拜的，必扔在烈火的窯中。and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.

¹²現在有幾個猶大人，就是王所派管理巴比倫省事務的沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌；王啊，這些人不理你，不事奉你的神，也不敬拜你所立的金像。」But there are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored you, O king, and have refused to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

王的威嚇

¹³當時，尼布甲尼撒沖沖大怒，吩咐人把沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌帶過來，他們就把那些人帶到王面前。Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,

¹⁴尼布甲尼撒問他們說：「沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌，你們不事奉我的神，也不敬拜我所立的金像，是故意的嗎？and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up?

¹⁵你們再聽見角、笛、琵琶、琴、瑟、笙，和各樣樂器的聲音，若俯伏敬拜我所造的像，卻還可以；若不敬拜，必立時扔在烈火的窯中，有何神能救你們脫離我手呢？」Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”

即或不然

¹⁶沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌對王說：「尼布甲尼撒啊，這件事我們不必回答你；Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

¹⁷即便如此，我們所事奉的　神能將我們從烈火的窯中救出來。王啊，他也必救我們脫離你的手；If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king.

¹⁸即或不然，王啊，你當知道我們決不事奉你的神，也不敬拜你所立的金像。」But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

扔在烈火的窯中

¹⁹當時，尼布甲尼撒怒氣填胸，向沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌變了臉色，吩咐人把窯燒熱，比尋常更加七倍；At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual,

²⁰又吩咐他軍中的幾個壯士，將沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌捆起來，扔在烈火的窯中。and he commanded some mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing fiery furnace.

²¹這三人穿著褲子、內袍、外衣，和別的衣服，被捆起來扔在烈火的窯中。So they were tied up, wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes, and they were thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.

²²因為王命緊急，窯又甚熱，那抬沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌的人都被火焰燒死。The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the fiery flames killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

²³沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌這三個人都被捆著落在烈火的窯中。And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, firmly bound, fell into the blazing fiery furnace.

火中有四個人

²⁴那時，尼布甲尼撒王驚奇，急忙起來，對謀士說：「我捆起來扔在火裡的不是三個人嗎？」他們回答王說：「王啊，是。」Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and asked his advisers, “Did we not throw three men, firmly bound, into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they replied.

²⁵王說：「看哪，我見有四個人，並沒有捆綁，在火中遊行，也沒有受傷；那第四個的相貌好像神子。」“Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!”

²⁶於是，尼布甲尼撒就近烈火窯門，說：「至高　神的僕人沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌出來，上這裡來吧！」沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌就從火中出來了。Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace and called out, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire,

²⁷那些總督、欽差、巡撫，和王的謀士一同聚集看這三個人，見火無力傷他們的身體，頭髮也沒有燒焦，衣裳也沒有變色，並沒有火燎的氣味。and when the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers had gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men. Not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.

王稱頌神

²⁸尼布甲尼撒說：「沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌的　神是應當稱頌的！他差遣使者救護倚靠他的僕人，他們不遵王命，捨去己身，在他們　神以外不肯事奉敬拜別神。Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

²⁹現在我降旨，無論何方、何國、何族的人，謗讟沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌之　神的，必被凌遲，他的房屋必成糞堆，因為沒有別神能這樣施行拯救。」Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble. For there is no other god who can deliver in this way.”

³⁰那時王在巴比倫省，高升了沙得拉、米煞、亞伯尼歌。Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

王向天下的公告

¹尼布甲尼撒王曉諭住在全地各方、各國、各族的人說：「願你們大享平安！King Nebuchadnezzar, To the people of every nation and language who dwell in all the earth: May your prosperity be multiplied.

²我樂意將至高的　神向我所行的神蹟奇事宣揚出來。I am pleased to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

³他的神蹟何其大！他的奇事何其盛！他的國是永遠的；他的權柄存到萬代！How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation.

大樹的夢

⁴「我尼布甲尼撒安居在宮中，平順在殿內。I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.

⁵我做了一夢，使我懼怕。我在床上的思念，並腦中的異象，使我驚惶。I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.

⁶所以我降旨召巴比倫的一切哲士到我面前，叫他們把夢的講解告訴我。So I issued a decree that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me.

⁷於是那些術士、用法術的、迦勒底人、觀兆的都進來，我將那夢告訴了他們，他們卻不能把夢的講解告訴我。When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.

⁸末後那照我神的名，稱為伯提沙撒的但以理來到我面前，他裡頭有聖神的靈，我將夢告訴他說：But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream:

⁹『術士的領袖伯提沙撒啊，因我知道你裡頭有聖神的靈，甚麼奧祕的事都不能使你為難。現在要把我夢中所見的異象和夢的講解告訴我。』“O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery baffles you. So explain to me the visions I saw in my dream, and their interpretation.

¹⁰「我在床上腦中的異象是這樣：我看見地當中有一棵樹，極其高大。In these visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this come to pass: There was a tree in the midst of the land, and its height was great.

¹¹那樹漸長，而且堅固，高得頂天，從地極都能看見，The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth.

¹²葉子華美，果子甚多，可作眾生的食物；田野的走獸臥在蔭下，天空的飛鳥宿在枝上；凡有血氣的都從這樹得食。Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.

¹³「我在床上腦中的異象，見有一位守望的聖者從天而降。As I lay on my bed, I also saw in the visions of my mind a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.

¹⁴大聲呼叫說：『伐倒這樹！砍下枝子！搖掉葉子！拋散果子！使走獸離開樹下，飛鳥躲開樹枝。He called out in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.

¹⁵樹墩卻要留在地內，用鐵圈和銅圈箍住，在田野的青草中讓天露滴濕，使他與地上的獸一同吃草，But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven and graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth.

¹⁶使他的心改變，不如人心；給他一個獸心，使他經過七期（期：或譯年；本章同）。Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of a beast till seven times pass him by.

¹⁷這是守望者所發的命，聖者所出的令，好叫世人知道至高者在人的國中掌權，要將國賜與誰就賜與誰，或立極卑微的人執掌國權。』This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

¹⁸「這是我─尼布甲尼撒王所做的夢。伯提沙撒啊，你要說明這夢的講解；因為我國中的一切哲士都不能將夢的講解告訴我，惟獨你能，因你裡頭有聖神的靈。」This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

但以理講解夢

¹⁹於是稱為伯提沙撒的但以理驚訝片時，心意驚惶。王說：「伯提沙撒啊，不要因夢和夢的講解驚惶。」伯提沙撒回答說：「我主啊，願這夢歸與恨惡你的人，講解歸與你的敵人。For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!

²⁰你所見的樹漸長，而且堅固，高得頂天，從地極都能看見；The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth,

²¹葉子華美，果子甚多，可作眾生的食物；田野的走獸住在其下；天空的飛鳥宿在枝上。whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested—

²²「王啊，這漸長又堅固的樹就是你。你的威勢漸長及天，你的權柄管到地極。you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.

²³王既看見一位守望的聖者從天而降，說：『將這樹砍伐毀壞，樹墩卻要留在地內，用鐵圈和銅圈箍住；在田野的青草中，讓天露滴濕，使他與地上的獸一同吃草，直到經過七期。』And you, O king, saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying: ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and graze with the beasts of the field till seven times pass him by.’

²⁴「王啊，講解就是這樣：臨到我主我王的事是出於至高者的命。This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree that the Most High has issued against my lord the king:

²⁵你必被趕出離開世人，與野地的獸同居，吃草如牛，被天露滴濕，且要經過七期。等你知道至高者在人的國中掌權，要將國賜與誰就賜與誰。You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.

²⁶守望者既吩咐存留樹墩，等你知道諸天掌權，以後你的國必定歸你。As for the command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules.

²⁷王啊，求你悅納我的諫言，以施行公義斷絕罪過，以憐憫窮人除掉罪孽，或者你的平安可以延長。」Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”

王被趕出離開世人

²⁸這事都臨到尼布甲尼撒王。All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

²⁹過了十二個月，他遊行在巴比倫王宮裡（原文是上）。Twelve months later, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,

³⁰他說：「這大巴比倫不是我用大能大力建為京都，要顯我威嚴的榮耀嗎？」the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

³¹這話在王口中尚未說完，有聲音從天降下，說：「尼布甲尼撒王啊，有話對你說，你的國位離開你了。While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you.

³²你必被趕出離開世人，與野地的獸同居，吃草如牛，且要經過七期。等你知道至高者在人的國中掌權，要將國賜與誰就賜與誰。」You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”

³³當時這話就應驗在尼布甲尼撒的身上，他被趕出離開世人，吃草如牛，身被天露滴濕，頭髮長長，好像鷹毛；指甲長長，如同鳥爪。At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

王稱頌至高者

³⁴日子滿足，我─尼布甲尼撒舉目望天，我的聰明復歸於我，我便稱頌至高者，讚美尊敬活到永遠的　神。他的權柄是永有的；他的國存到萬代。But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

³⁵世上所有的居民都算為虛無；在天上的萬軍和世上的居民中，他都憑自己的意旨行事。無人能攔住他手，或問他說，你做甚麼呢？All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

³⁶那時，我的聰明復歸於我，為我國的榮耀、威嚴，和光耀也都復歸於我；並且我的謀士和大臣也來朝見我。我又得堅立在國位上，至大的權柄加增於我。At the same time my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me.

³⁷現在我─尼布甲尼撒讚美、尊崇、恭敬天上的王；因為他所做的全都誠實，他所行的也都公平。那行動驕傲的，他能降為卑。Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.

試驗那些靈

¹親愛的弟兄啊，一切的靈，你們不可都信，總要試驗那些靈是出於　神的不是，因為世上有許多假先知已經出來了。Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

²凡靈認耶穌基督是成了肉身來的，就是出於　神的；從此你們可以認出　神的靈來。By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

³凡靈不認耶穌，就不是出於　神，這是那敵基督者的靈。你們從前聽見他要來，現在已經在世上了。and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

在你們裡面的比在世界上的更大

⁴小子們哪，你們是屬　神的，並且勝了他們；因為那在你們裡面的，比那在世界上的更大。You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

⁵他們是屬世界的，所以論世界的事，世人也聽從他們。They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them.

⁶我們是屬　神的，認識　神的就聽從我們；不屬　神的就不聽從我們。從此我們可以認出真理的靈和謬妄的靈來。We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

愛是從神來的

⁷親愛的弟兄啊，我們應當彼此相愛，因為愛是從　神來的。凡有愛心的，都是由　神而生，並且認識　神。Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

⁸沒有愛心的，就不認識　神，因為　神就是愛。Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

神愛我們的心顯明了

⁹神差他獨生子到世間來，使我們藉著他得生，　神愛我們的心在此就顯明了。This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.

¹⁰不是我們愛　神，乃是　神愛我們，差他的兒子為我們的罪作了挽回祭，這就是愛了。And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

¹¹親愛的弟兄啊，　神既是這樣愛我們，我們也當彼此相愛。Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

¹²從來沒有人見過　神，我們若彼此相愛，　神就住在我們裡面，愛他的心在我們裡面得以完全了。No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.

住在神裡面

¹³神將他的靈賜給我們，從此就知道我們是住在他裡面，他也住在我們裡面。By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.

¹⁴父差子作世人的救主；這是我們所看見且作見證的。And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.

¹⁵凡認耶穌為　神兒子的，　神就住在他裡面，他也住在　神裡面。If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

¹⁶神愛我們的心，我們也知道也信。　神就是愛；住在愛裡面的，就是住在　神裡面，　神也住在他裡面。And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

愛裡沒有懼怕

¹⁷這樣，愛在我們裡面得以完全，我們就可以在審判的日子坦然無懼。因為他如何，我們在這世上也如何。In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.

¹⁸愛裡沒有懼怕；愛既完全，就把懼怕除去。因為懼怕裡含著刑罰，懼怕的人在愛裡未得完全。There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

¹⁹我們愛，因為　神先愛我們。We love because He first loved us.

愛神的也當愛弟兄

²⁰人若說「我愛　神」，卻恨他的弟兄，就是說謊話的；不愛他所看見的弟兄，就不能愛沒有看見的　神（有古卷：怎能愛沒有看見的　神呢）。If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

²¹愛　神的，也當愛弟兄，這是我們從　神所受的命令。And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.

從神生的愛神也愛神的兒女

¹凡信耶穌是基督的，都是從　神而生，凡愛生他之　神的，也必愛從　神生的。Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.

²我們若愛　神，又遵守他的誡命，從此就知道我們愛　神的兒女。By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.

誡命不是難守的

³我們遵守　神的誡命，這就是愛他了，並且他的誡命不是難守的。For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,