今日讀經

以利法：誰能忍住不說

¹提幔人以利法回答說：Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

²人若想與你說話，你就厭煩嗎？但誰能忍住不說呢？“If one ventures a word with you, will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking?

³你素來教導許多的人，又堅固軟弱的手。Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.

⁴你的言語曾扶助那將要跌倒的人；你又使軟弱的膝穩固。Your words have steadied those who stumbled; you have braced the knees that were buckling.

⁵但現在禍患臨到你，你就昏迷，挨近你，你便驚惶。But now trouble has come upon you, and you are weary. It strikes you, and you are dismayed.

⁶你的倚靠不是在你敬畏　神嗎？你的盼望不是在你行事純正嗎？Is your reverence not your confidence, and the uprightness of your ways your hope?

無辜的人有誰滅亡

⁷請你追想：無辜的人有誰滅亡？正直的人在何處剪除？Consider now, I plead: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Or where have the upright been destroyed?

⁸按我所見，耕罪孽、種毒害的人都照樣收割。As I have observed, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.

⁹神一出氣，他們就滅亡；　神一發怒，他們就消沒。By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they are consumed.

¹⁰獅子的吼叫和猛獅的聲音盡都止息；少壯獅子的牙齒也都敲掉。The lion may roar, and the fierce lion may growl, yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.

¹¹老獅子因絕食而死；母獅之子也都離散。The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

夜間的異象

¹²我暗暗地得了默示；我耳朵也聽其細微的聲音。Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it.

¹³在思念夜中、異象之間，世人沉睡的時候，In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men,

¹⁴恐懼、戰兢臨到我身，使我百骨打戰。fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder.

¹⁵有靈從我面前經過，我身上的毫毛直立。Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body bristled.

¹⁶那靈停住，我卻不能辨其形狀；有影像在我眼前。我在靜默中聽見有聲音說：It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes, and I heard a whispering voice:

¹⁷必死的人豈能比　神公義嗎？人豈能比造他的主潔淨嗎？‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?

¹⁸主不信靠他的臣僕，並且指他的使者為愚昧；If God puts no trust in His servants, and He charges His angels with error,

¹⁹何況那住在土房、根基在塵土裡、被蠹蟲所毀壞的人呢？how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who can be crushed like a moth!

²⁰早晚之間，就被毀滅，永歸無有，無人理會。They are smashed to pieces from dawn to dusk; unnoticed, they perish forever.

²¹他帳棚的繩索豈不從中抽出來呢？他死，且是無智慧而死。Are not their tent cords pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?’

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愚妄人終必遭禍

¹你且呼求，有誰答應你？諸聖者之中，你轉向哪一位呢？“Call out if you please, but who will answer? To which of the holy ones will you turn?

²忿怒害死愚妄人；嫉妒殺死癡迷人。For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

³我曾見愚妄人扎下根，但我忽然咒詛他的住處。I have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed.

⁴他的兒女遠離穩妥的地步，在城門口被壓，並無人搭救。His sons are far from safety, crushed in court without a defender.

⁵他的莊稼有飢餓的人吃盡了，就是在荊棘裡的也搶去了；他的財寶有網羅張口吞滅了。The hungry consume his harvest, taking it even from the thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth.

⁶禍患原不是從土中出來；患難也不是從地裡發生。For distress does not spring from the dust, and trouble does not sprout from the ground.

⁷人生在世必遇患難，如同火星飛騰。Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.

我必仰望神

⁸至於我，我必仰望　神，把我的事情託付他。However, if I were you, I would appeal to God and lay my cause before Him—

⁹他行大事不可測度，行奇事不可勝數：the One who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.

¹⁰降雨在地上，賜水於田裡；He gives rain to the earth and sends water upon the fields.

¹¹將卑微的安置在高處，將哀痛的舉到穩妥之地；He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety.

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¹²破壞狡猾人的計謀，使他們所謀的不得成就。He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.

¹³他叫有智慧的中了自己的詭計，使狡詐人的計謀速速滅亡。He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.

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¹⁴他們白晝遇見黑暗，午間摸索如在夜間。They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night.

¹⁵神拯救窮乏人脫離他們口中的刀和強暴人的手。He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth and from the clutches of the powerful.

¹⁶這樣，貧寒的人有指望，罪孽之輩必塞口無言。So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.

神所懲治的人有福

¹⁷神所懲治的人是有福的！所以你不可輕看全能者的管教。Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

¹⁸因為他打破，又纏裹；他擊傷，用手醫治。For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.

¹⁹你六次遭難，他必救你；就是七次，災禍也無法害你。He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.

²⁰在饑荒中，他必救你脫離死亡；在爭戰中，他必救你脫離刀劍的權力。In famine He will redeem you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword.

²¹你必被隱藏，不受口舌之害；災殃臨到，你也不懼怕。You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and will not fear havoc when it comes.

²²你遇見災害饑饉，就必嬉笑；地上的野獸，你也不懼怕。You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.

²³因為你必與田間的石頭立約；田裡的野獸也必與你和好。For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

²⁴你必知道你帳棚平安，要查看你的羊圈，一無所失；You will know that your tent is secure, and find nothing amiss when inspecting your home.

²⁵也必知道你的後裔將來發達，你的子孫像地上的青草。You will know that your offspring will be many, your descendants like the grass of the earth.

²⁶你必壽高年邁才歸墳墓，好像禾捆到時收藏。You will come to the grave in full vigor, like a sheaf of grain gathered in season.

²⁷這理，我們已經考察，本是如此。你須要聽，要知道是與自己有益。Indeed, we have investigated, and it is true! So hear it and know for yourself.”

約伯：我的災害比海沙更重

¹約伯回答說：Then Job replied:

²惟願我的煩惱稱一稱，我一切的災害放在天平裡；“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.

³現今都比海沙更重，所以我的言語急躁。For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash.

⁴因全能者的箭射入我身；其毒，我的靈喝盡了；　神的驚嚇擺陣攻擊我。For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

⁵野驢有草豈能叫喚？牛有料豈能吼叫？Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?

⁶物淡而無鹽豈可吃嗎？蛋青有甚麼滋味呢？Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

⁷看為可厭的食物，我心不肯挨近。My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.

⁸惟願我得著所求的，願　神賜我所切望的；If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:

⁹就是願　神把我壓碎，伸手將我剪除。that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!

¹⁰我因沒有違棄那聖者的言語，就仍以此為安慰，在不止息的痛苦中還可踴躍。It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

¹¹我有甚麼氣力使我等候？我有甚麼結局使我忍耐？What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

¹²我的氣力豈是石頭的氣力？我的肉身豈是銅的呢？Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

¹³在我豈不是毫無幫助嗎？智慧豈不是從我心中趕出淨盡嗎？Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?

朋友像乾涸的溪水

¹⁴那將要灰心、離棄全能者、不敬畏　神的人，他的朋友當以慈愛待他。A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

¹⁵我的弟兄詭詐，好像溪水，又像溪水流乾的河道。But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,

¹⁶這河因結冰發黑，有雪藏在其中；darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,

¹⁷天氣漸暖就隨時消化，日頭炎熱便從原處乾涸。but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.

¹⁸結伴的客旅離棄大道，順河偏行，到荒野之地死亡。Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.

¹⁹提瑪結伴的客旅瞻望；示巴同夥的人等候。The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

²⁰他們因失了盼望就抱愧，來到那裡便蒙羞。They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.

²¹現在你們正是這樣，看見驚嚇的事便懼怕。For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.

²²我豈說：請你們供給我，從你們的財物中送禮物給我？Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;

²³豈說：拯救我脫離敵人的手嗎？救贖我脫離強暴人的手嗎？deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?

請指出我錯在哪裡

²⁴請你們教導我，我便不作聲；使我明白在何事上有錯。Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

²⁵正直的言語力量何其大！但你們責備是責備甚麼呢？How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

²⁶絕望人的講論既然如風，你們還想要駁正言語嗎？Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?

²⁷你們想為孤兒拈鬮，以朋友當貨物。You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.

²⁸現在請你們看看我，我決不當面說謊。But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?

²⁹請你們轉意，不要不公；請再轉意，我的事有理。Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

³⁰我的舌上豈有不義嗎？我的口裡豈不辨奸惡嗎？Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?

人生像雇工的日子

¹人在世上豈無爭戰嗎？他的日子不像雇工人的日子嗎？“Is not man consigned to labor on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired hand?

²像奴僕切慕黑影，像雇工人盼望工價；Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages.

³我也照樣經過困苦的日月，夜間的疲乏為我而定。So I am allotted months of futility, and nights of misery are appointed to me.

⁴我躺臥的時候便說：我何時起來，黑夜就過去呢？我盡是反來覆去，直到天亮。When I lie down I think: ‘When will I get up?’ But the night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.

⁵我的肉體以蟲子和塵土為衣；我的皮膚才收了口又重新破裂。My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt; my skin is cracked and festering.

⁶我的日子比梭更快，都消耗在無指望之中。My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope.

⁷求你想念，我的生命不過是一口氣；我的眼睛必不再見福樂。Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

⁸觀看我的人，他的眼必不再見我；你的眼目要看我，我卻不在了。The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look for me, but I will be no more.

⁹雲彩消散而過；照樣，人下陰間也不再上來。As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come back up.

¹⁰他不再回自己的家；故土也不再認識他。He never returns to his house; his place remembers him no more.

我不禁止我口

¹¹我不禁止我口；我靈愁苦，要發出言語；我心苦惱，要吐露哀情。Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

¹²我對　神說：我豈是洋海，豈是大魚，你竟防守我呢？Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep, that You must keep me under guard?

¹³若說：我的床必安慰我，我的榻必解釋我的苦情，When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,

¹⁴你就用夢驚駭我，用異象恐嚇我，then You frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,

¹⁵甚至我寧肯噎死，寧肯死亡，勝似留我這一身的骨頭。so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.

¹⁶我厭棄性命，不願永活。你任憑我吧，因我的日子都是虛空。I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.

人算甚麼，你竟看他為大

¹⁷人算甚麼，你竟看他為大，將他放在心上？What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him,

¹⁸每早鑒察他，時刻試驗他？that You attend to him every morning, and test him every moment?

¹⁹你到何時才轉眼不看我，才任憑我咽下唾沫呢？Will You never look away from me, or leave me alone to swallow my spittle?

²⁰鑒察人的主啊，我若有罪，於你何妨？為何以我當你的箭靶子，使我厭棄自己的性命？If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You?

²¹為何不赦免我的過犯，除掉我的罪孽？我現今要躺臥在塵土中；你要殷勤地尋找我，我卻不在了。Why do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For soon I will lie down in the dust; You will seek me, but I will be no more.”

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保羅的外甥揭發埋伏

¹⁶保羅的外甥聽見他們設下埋伏，就來到營樓裡告訴保羅。But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

¹⁷保羅請一個百夫長來，說：「你領這少年人去見千夫長，他有事告訴他。」Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”

¹⁸於是把他領去見千夫長，說：「被囚的保羅請我到他那裡，求我領這少年人來見你；他有事告訴你。」So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”

千夫長私下查問

¹⁹千夫長就拉著他的手，走到一旁，私下問他說：「你有甚麼事告訴我呢？」The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, “What do you need to tell me?”

²⁰他說：「猶太人已經約定，要求你明天帶下保羅到公會裡去，假作要詳細查問他的事。He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.

²¹你切不要隨從他們；因為他們有四十多人埋伏，已經起誓說：若不先殺保羅就不吃不喝。現在預備好了，只等你應允。」Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”

²²於是千夫長打發少年人走，囑咐他說：「不要告訴人你將這事報給我了。」So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

千夫長連夜護送保羅

²³千夫長便叫了兩個百夫長來，說：「預備步兵二百，馬兵七十，長槍手二百，今夜亥初往凱撒利亞去；Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.

²⁴也要預備牲口叫保羅騎上，護送到巡撫腓力斯那裡去。」Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”

²⁵千夫長又寫了文書，And he wrote the following letter:

給巡撫腓力斯的文書

²⁶大略說：「克勞第•呂西亞，請巡撫腓力斯大人安。Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.

²⁷這人被猶太人拿住，將要殺害，我得知他是羅馬人，就帶兵丁下去救他出來。This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen,

²⁸因要知道他們告他的緣故，我就帶他下到他們的公會去，and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

²⁹便查知他被告是因他們律法的辯論，並沒有甚麼該死該綁的罪名。I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

³⁰後來有人把要害他的計謀告訴我，我就立時解他到你那裡去，又吩咐告他的人在你面前告他。（有古卷加：願你平安！）」When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.

保羅被解到凱撒利亞

³¹於是，兵丁照所吩咐他們的，將保羅夜裡帶到安提帕底。So the soldiers followed their orders and brought Paul by night to Antipatris.

³²第二天，讓馬兵護送，他們就回營樓去。The next day they returned to the barracks and let the horsemen go on with him.

³³馬兵來到凱撒利亞，把文書呈給巡撫，便叫保羅站在他面前。When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.

³⁴巡撫看了文書，問保羅是哪省的人，既曉得他是基利家人，The governor read the letter and asked what province Paul was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,

³⁵就說：「等告你的人來到，我要細聽你的事」；便吩咐人把他看守在希律的衙門裡。he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.