旧约出埃及记 11:1–13:22
前情提要
上回说到
昨天():苍蝇、畜疫、起泡的疮、冰雹、蝗虫、黑暗六灾接连临到埃及,以色列人所住的歌珊地却蒙保守。法老几次答应放人又反悔,最后对摩西说“不要再见我的面”,摩西也说“我必不再见你的面了”。
今天你会读到
神预告最后一灾:埃及一切长子都要死。第 12 章设立逾越节和无酵节:各家宰羊羔,把血涂在门框和门楣上;半夜神击杀埃及的长子,越过有血记号的房屋。法老终于放人,以色列人带着生面匆匆离开。第 13 章吩咐头生的要归给神;神用云柱、火柱领百姓绕道往红海旷野,摩西也带着约瑟的骸骨。
阅读小提示
留意 、、:神预先想到孩子会问“这是甚么意思”。逾越节要一代一代讲给下一代听;新约也称基督是“我们逾越节的羔羊”()。
点时代可看说明
说以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年;出埃及的年代,传统推算约在主前 1446 年,也有学者认为在主前 13 世纪。
点经节可选取,长按即复制点经节可选取,按 Ctrl+C⌘C 复制
出埃及记 第 11 章
最后一灾的预告
1耶和华对摩西说:“我再使一样的灾殃临到法老和埃及,然后他必容你们离开这地。他容你们去的时候,总要催逼你们都从这地出去。Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.
2你要传于百姓的耳中,叫他们男女各人向邻舍要金器银器。”Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.”
3耶和华叫百姓在埃及人眼前蒙恩,并且摩西在埃及地、法老臣仆,和百姓的眼中看为极大。And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.
埃及的长子都必死
4摩西说:“耶和华这样说:‘约到半夜,我必出去巡行埃及遍地。So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,
5凡在埃及地,从坐宝座的法老直到所有的长子,以及一切头生的牲畜,都必死。and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle.
6埃及遍地必有大哀号;从前没有这样的,后来也必没有。Then a great cry will go out over all the land of Egypt. Such an outcry has never been heard before and will never be heard again.
7至于以色列中,无论是人是牲畜,连狗也不敢向他们,好叫你们知道耶和华是将埃及人和以色列人分别出来。’But among all the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at man or beast.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.
8你这一切臣仆都要俯伏来见我,说:‘求你和跟从你的百姓都出去’,然后我要出去。”于是,摩西气忿忿地离开法老,出去了。And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.
9耶和华对摩西说:“法老必不听你们,使我的奇事在埃及地多起来。”The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”
10摩西、亚伦在法老面前行了这一切奇事;耶和华使法老的心刚硬,不容以色列人出离他的地。Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites go out of his land.
出埃及记 第 12 章
以本月为正月;设立逾越节
1耶和华在埃及地晓谕摩西、亚伦说:Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
2“你们要以本月为,为一年之首。“This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year.
3你们吩咐以色列全会众说:本月初十日,各人要按着父家取羊羔,一家一只。Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household.
4若是一家的人太少,吃不了一只羊羔,本人就要和他隔壁的邻舍共取一只。你们预备羊羔,要按着人数和饭量计算。If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with the nearest neighbor based on the number of people, and apportion the lamb accordingly.
5要无残疾、一岁的公羊羔,你们或从绵羊里取,或从山羊里取,都可以。Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
6要留到本月十四日,在黄昏的时候,以色列全会众把羊羔宰了。You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight.
7各家要取点血,涂在吃羊羔的房屋左右的门框上和上。They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
8当夜要吃羊羔的肉;用火烤了,与无酵饼和苦菜同吃。They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
9不可吃生的,断不可吃水煮的,要带着头、腿、五脏,用火烤了吃。Do not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire—its head and legs and inner parts.
10不可剩下一点留到早晨;若留到早晨,要用火烧了。Do not leave any of it until morning; before the morning you must burn up any part that is left over.
11你们吃羊羔当,脚上穿鞋,手中拿杖,赶紧地吃;这是耶和华的。This is how you are to eat it: You must be fully dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You are to eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
12因为那夜我要巡行埃及地,把埃及地一切头生的,无论是人是牲畜,都击杀了,又要败坏埃及一切的神。我是耶和华。On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
13这血要在你们所住的房屋上作记号;我一见这血,就越过你们去。我击杀埃及地头生的时候,灾殃必不临到你们身上灭你们。”The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
无酵节
14“你们要记念这日,守为耶和华的节,作为你们世世代代永远的定例。And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.
15你们要吃无酵饼七日。头一日要把酵从你们各家中除去;因为从头一日起,到第七日为止,凡吃有酵之饼的,必从以色列中。For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.
16头一日你们当有,第七日也当有圣会。这两日之内,除了预备各人所要吃的以外,无论何工都不可做。On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly, and another on the seventh day. You must not do any work on those days, except to prepare the meals—that is all you may do.
17你们要守无酵节,因为我正当这日把你们的军队从埃及地领出来。所以,你们要守这日,作为世世代代永远的定例。So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come.
18从正月十四日晚上,直到二十一日晚上,你们要吃无酵饼。In the first month you are to eat unleavened bread, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day.
19在你们各家中,七日之内不可有酵;因为凡吃有酵之物的,无论是寄居的,是本地的,必从以色列的会中剪除。For seven days there must be no leaven found in your houses. If anyone eats something leavened, that person, whether a foreigner or native of the land, must be cut off from the congregation of Israel.
20有酵的物,你们都不可吃;在你们一切住处要吃无酵饼。”You are not to eat anything leavened; eat unleavened bread in all your homes.”
摩西吩咐众长老
21于是,摩西召了以色列的众长老来,对他们说:“你们要按着家口取出羊羔,把这逾越节的羊羔宰了。Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and told them, “Go at once and select for yourselves a lamb for each family, and slaughter the Passover lamb.
22拿一把,蘸盆里的血,打在门楣上和左右的门框上。你们谁也不可出自己的房门,直到早晨。Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.
23因为耶和华要巡行击杀埃及人,他看见血在门楣上和左右的门框上,就必越过那门,不容进你们的房屋,击杀你们。When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.
24这例,你们要守着,作为你们和你们子孙永远的定例。And you are to keep this command as a permanent statute for you and your descendants.
25日后,你们到了耶和华按着所应许赐给你们的那地,就要守这礼。When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, you are to keep this service.
26你们的儿女问你们说:‘行这礼是什么意思?’When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’
27你们就说:‘这是献给耶和华逾越节的祭。当以色列人在埃及的时候,他击杀埃及人,越过以色列人的房屋,救了我们各家。’”于是百姓低头下拜。you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.
28耶和华怎样吩咐摩西、亚伦,以色列人就怎样行。And the Israelites went and did just what the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.
击杀埃及的长子
29到了半夜,耶和华把埃及地所有的长子,就是从坐宝座的法老,直到被掳囚在监里之人的长子,以及一切头生的牲畜,尽都杀了。Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock.
30法老和一切臣仆,并埃及众人,夜间都起来了。在埃及有大哀号,无一家不死一个人的。During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.
法老催百姓出去
31夜间,法老召了摩西、亚伦来,说:“起来!连你们带以色列人,从我民中出去,依你们所说的,去事奉耶和华吧!Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.
32也依你们所说的,连羊群牛群带着走吧!并要为我祝福。”Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.”
33埃及人催促百姓,打发他们快快出离那地,因为埃及人说:“我们都要死了。”And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!”
34百姓就拿着没有酵的生面,把抟面盆包在衣服中,扛在肩头上。So the people took their dough before it was leavened, carrying it on their shoulders in kneading bowls wrapped in clothing.
35以色列人照着摩西的话行,向埃及人要金器、银器,和衣裳。Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing.
36耶和华叫百姓在埃及人眼前蒙恩,以致埃及人给他们所要的。他们就把埃及人的财物夺去了。And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.
以色列人从兰塞起行
37以色列人从兰塞起行,往去;除了妇人孩子,步行的男人约有六十万。The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children.
38又有许多,并有羊群牛群,和他们一同上去。And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.
39他们用埃及带出来的生面烤成无酵饼。这生面原没有发起;因为他们被催逼离开埃及,不能耽延,也没有为自己预备什么食物。Since their dough had no leaven, the people baked what they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened loaves. For when they had been driven out of Egypt, they could not delay and had not prepared any provisions for themselves.
40以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years.
41正满了四百三十年的那一天,耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.
42这夜是耶和华的夜;因耶和华领他们出了埃及地,所以当向耶和华谨守,是以色列众人世世代代该谨守的。Because the LORD kept a vigil that night to bring them out of the land of Egypt, this same night is to be a vigil to the LORD, to be observed by all the Israelites for the generations to come.
逾越节的条例
43耶和华对摩西、亚伦说:“逾越节的例是这样:外邦人都不可吃这羊羔。And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: No foreigner is to eat of it.
44但各人用银子买的奴仆,既受了割礼就可以吃。But any slave who has been purchased may eat of it, after you have circumcised him.
45寄居的和雇工人都不可吃。A temporary resident or hired hand shall not eat the Passover.
46应当在一个房子里吃;不可把一点肉从房子里带到外头去。羊羔的骨头一根也不可折断。It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.
47以色列全会众都要守这礼。The whole congregation of Israel must celebrate it.
48若有外人寄居在你们中间,愿向耶和华守逾越节,他所有的男子务要受割礼,然后才容他前来遵守,他也就像本地人一样;但未受割礼的,都不可吃这羊羔。If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it.
49本地人和寄居在你们中间的外人同归一例。”The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.”
50耶和华怎样吩咐摩西、亚伦,以色列众人就怎样行了。Then all the Israelites did this—they did just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.
51正当那日,耶和华将以色列人按着他们的军队,从埃及地领出来。And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.
出埃及记 第 13 章
头生的归给耶和华
1耶和华晓谕摩西说:Then the LORD said to Moses,
2“以色列中凡头生的,无论是人是牲畜,都是我的,要分别为圣归我。”“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”
记念出埃及的日子
3摩西对百姓说:“你们要记念从埃及为奴之家出来的这日,因为耶和华用大能的手将你们从这地方领出来。有酵的饼都不可吃。So Moses told the people, “Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand. And nothing leavened shall be eaten.
4亚笔月间的这日是你们出来的日子。Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving.
5将来耶和华领你进迦南人、赫人、亚摩利人、希未人、耶布斯人之地,就是他向你的祖宗起誓应许给你那流奶与蜜之地,那时你要在这月间守这礼。And when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites—the land He swore to your fathers that He would give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you shall keep this service in this month.
6你要吃无酵饼七日,到第七日要向耶和华守节。For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD.
7这七日之久,要吃无酵饼;在你四境之内不可见有酵的饼,也不可见发酵的物。Unleavened bread shall be eaten during those seven days. Nothing leavened may be found among you, nor shall leaven be found anywhere within your borders.
8当那日,你要告诉你的儿子说:‘这是因耶和华在我出埃及的时候为我所行的事。And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’
9这要在你手上作记号,在你额上作纪念,使耶和华的律法常在你口中,因为耶和华曾用大能的手将你从埃及领出来。It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.
10所以你每年要按着日期守这例。’”Therefore you shall keep this statute at the appointed time year after year.
头生的要赎出来
11“将来,耶和华照他向你和你祖宗所起的誓将你领进迦南人之地,把这地赐给你,And after the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as He swore to you and your fathers,
12那时你要将一切头生的,并牲畜中头生的,归给耶和华;公的都要属耶和华。you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.
13凡头生的驴,你要用羊羔;若不代赎,就要打折它的颈项。凡你儿子中头生的都要赎出来。You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem.
14日后,你的儿子问你说:‘这是什么意思?’你就说:‘耶和华用大能的手将我们从埃及为奴之家领出来。In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
15那时法老几乎不容我们去,耶和华就把埃及地所有头生的,无论是人是牲畜,都杀了。因此,我把一切头生的公牲畜献给耶和华为祭,但将头生的儿子都赎出来。And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’
16这要在你手上作记号,在你额上作,因为耶和华用大能的手将我们从埃及领出来。’”So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”
神领百姓绕道而行
17法老容百姓去的时候,虽近, 神却不领他们从那里走;因为 神说:“恐怕百姓遇见打仗后悔,就回埃及去。”When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
18所以 神领百姓绕道而行,走红海旷野的路。以色列人出埃及地,都上去。So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.
19摩西把约瑟的骸骨一同带去;因为约瑟曾叫以色列人严严地起誓,对他们说:“ 神必眷顾你们,你们要把我的骸骨从这里一同带上去。”Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.”
20他们从疏割起行,在旷野边的以倘安营。They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.
云柱和火柱
21日间,耶和华在中领他们的路;夜间,在火柱中光照他们,使他们日夜都可以行走。And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night.
22日间云柱,夜间火柱,总不离开百姓的面前。Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people.
摘要
耶和华宣告第十灾——击杀埃及一切头生的,同时设立逾越节,命以色列人宰羊羔、涂血于门框,使灭命天使越过他们的家。灾难临到后,法老终于容许以色列人离开,结束了四百三十年的寄居;神又吩咐将一切头生的分别为圣归祂,并以云柱火柱亲自引导百姓走旷野的路。
反思问题
- 逾越节羊羔的血使以色列人免于死亡,这如何帮助你理解基督作为‘神的羔羊’为你所成就的救赎?
- 神不领百姓走最近的路,而是绕道旷野,你生命中是否也经历过神带你走一条看似迂回却更好的道路?
- 神要求以色列人世世代代记念出埃及的经历并教导儿女,你用什么方式在日常生活中记念并传递神的作为?
新约马太福音 19:16–20:16
前情提要
上回说到
昨天():耶稣来到约旦河外,法利赛人拿休妻的问题试探祂;耶稣指出神起初造男造女,“ 神配合的,人不可分开”。门徒责备带小孩子来的人,耶稣却说“让小孩子到我这里来”,给他们按手。
今天你会读到
一个富有的少年人问怎样得永生,耶稣叫他变卖所有的分给穷人,再来跟从祂,他就忧忧愁愁地走了。耶稣说财主进天国是难的,但“在 神凡事都能”;又应许撇下一切跟从祂的人必得百倍。第 20 章讲葡萄园工人的比喻:先来后来的都得一钱银子。
阅读小提示
和 两句前后呼应的话,把葡萄园的比喻包在中间:“在前的,将要在后;在后的,将要在前”。家主照约定给先来的,又照自己的慷慨给后来的——天国的赏赐出于神的恩典,不是按功劳计算。
点时代可看说明
耶稣正在往耶路撒冷去的路上(),离受难已经不远,约在主后 30 年。
马太福音 第 19 章
富有的少年人
16有一个人来见耶稣,说:“夫子(有古卷:良善的夫子),我该做什么善事才能得?”Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”
17耶稣对他说:“你为什么以善事问我呢?只有一位是善的(有古卷:你为什么称我是良善的?除了 神以外,没有一个良善的)。你若要进入永生,就当遵守。”“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18他说:“什么诫命?”耶稣说:“就是不可杀人;不可奸淫;不可偷盗;不可作假见证;“Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,
19当孝敬父母;又当爱人如己。”honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20那少年人说:“这一切我都遵守了,还缺少什么呢?”“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”
21耶稣说:“你若愿意作,可去变卖你所有的,分给穷人,就必有财宝在天上;你还要来跟从我。”Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
22那少年人听见这话,就地走了,因为他的产业很多。When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
财主进天国是难的
23耶稣对门徒说:“我实在告诉你们,财主进天国是难的。Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24我又告诉你们,,比财主进 神的国还容易呢!”Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25门徒听见这话,就希奇得很,说:“这样谁能得救呢?”When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26耶稣看着他们,说:“在人这是不能的,在 神凡事都能。”Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
撇下一切跟从主的人
27彼得就对他说:“看哪,我们已经撇下所有的跟从你,将来我们要得什么呢?”“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”
28耶稣说:“我实在告诉你们,你们这跟从我的人,到,人子坐在他荣耀的宝座上,你们也要坐在十二个宝座上,审判以色列。Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29凡为我的名撇下房屋,或是弟兄、姊妹、父亲、母亲、(有古卷加:妻子、)儿女、田地的,必要得着百倍,并且承受永生。And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
30然而,有许多在前的,将要在后;在后的,将要在前。”But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
马太福音 第 20 章
葡萄园工人的比喻
1“因为天国好像家主清早去雇人进他的做工,“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2和工人讲定一天,就打发他们进葡萄园去。He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3约在出去,看见市上还有闲站的人,About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.
4就对他们说:‘你们也进葡萄园去,所当给的,我必给你们。’他们也进去了。‘You also go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’
5约在又出去,也是这样行。So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing.
6约在出去,看见还有人站在那里,就问他们说:‘你们为什么整天在这里闲站呢?’About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ he asked.
7他们说:‘因为没有人雇我们。’他说:‘你们也进葡萄园去。’‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. So he told them, ‘You also go into my vineyard.’
先来后来的都得一钱银子
8到了晚上,园主对管事的说:‘叫工人都来,给他们工钱,从后来的起,到先来的为止。’When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and moving on to the first.’
9约在酉初雇的人来了,各人得了一钱银子。The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.
10及至那先雇的来了,他们以为必要多得;谁知也是各得一钱。So when the original workers came, they assumed they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius.
先雇的埋怨家主
11他们得了,就埋怨家主说:On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner.
12‘我们整天劳苦受热,那后来的只做了一小时,你竟叫他们和我们一样吗?’‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’
我给后来的和给你一样
13家主回答其中的一人说:‘朋友,我不你,你与我讲定的不是一钱银子吗?But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Did you not agree with me on one denarius?
14拿你的走吧!我给那后来的和给你一样,这是我愿意的。Take your pay and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you.
15我的东西难道不可随我的意思用吗?因为我作好人,你就吗?’Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16这样,那在后的,将要在前;在前的,将要在后了。(有古卷加:因为被召的人多,选上的人少。)”So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
摘要
一位富有的少年人来问耶稣如何得永生,却因舍不下产业而忧愁离去;耶稣借此教导门徒财富进入天国之难,唯有神能成就人所不能的。接着耶稣以葡萄园工人的比喻说明天国的赏赐出于神主权的恩典,而非人的功劳或先后次序——在后的将要在前,在前的将要在后。
反思问题
- 少年人声称遵守了一切诫命却无法放下财产,在你的生命中,是否有什么东西成为你全心跟从主的拦阻?
- 葡萄园比喻中先来的工人对后来者同得工钱感到不平,你是否曾因比较而对神的恩典产生不满?这提醒你什么?
- 耶稣说‘在人不能,在神凡事都能’,面对你目前觉得最困难的信仰挑战,这句话如何给你盼望与力量?