今日读经

伯沙撒的筵席

¹伯沙撒王为他的一千大臣设摆盛筵，与这一千人对面饮酒。Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.

²伯沙撒欢饮之间，吩咐人将他父（或译：祖；下同）尼布甲尼撒从耶路撒冷殿中所掠的金银器皿拿来，王与大臣、皇后、妃嫔好用这器皿饮酒。Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.

³于是他们把耶路撒冷　神殿库房中所掠的金器皿拿来，王和大臣、皇后、妃嫔就用这器皿饮酒。Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.

⁴他们饮酒，赞美金、银、铜、铁、木、石所造的神。As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.

墙上写字的指头

⁵当时，忽有人的指头显出，在王宫与灯台相对的粉墙上写字。王看见写字的指头At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing,

⁶就变了脸色，心意惊惶，腰骨好像脱节，双膝彼此相碰，his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.

⁷大声吩咐将用法术的和迦勒底人并观兆的领进来，对巴比伦的哲士说，谁能读这文字，把讲解告诉我，他必身穿紫袍，项带金链，在我国中位列第三。The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

⁸于是王的一切哲士都进来，却不能读那文字，也不能把讲解告诉王。So all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or interpret it for him.

⁹伯沙撒王就甚惊惶，脸色改变，他的大臣也都惊奇。Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered.

太后推荐但以理

¹⁰太后（或译：皇后；下同）因王和他大臣所说的话，就进入宴宫，说：“愿王万岁！你心意不要惊惶，脸面不要变色。Hearing the outcry of the king and his nobles, the queen entered the banquet hall. “O king, may you live forever!” she said. “Do not let your thoughts terrify you, or your face grow pale.

¹¹在你国中有一人，他里头有圣神的灵，你父在世的日子，这人心中光明，又有聪明智慧，好像神的智慧。你父尼布甲尼撒王，就是王的父，立他为术士、用法术的，和迦勒底人，并观兆的领袖。There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king,

¹²在他里头有美好的灵性，又有知识聪明，能圆梦，释谜语，解疑惑。这人名叫但以理，尼布甲尼撒王又称他为伯提沙撒，现在可以召他来，他必解明这意思。”did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”

¹³但以理就被领到王前。王问但以理说：“你是被掳之犹大人中的但以理吗？就是我父王从犹大掳来的吗？So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?

¹⁴我听说你里头有神的灵，心中光明，又有聪明和美好的智慧。I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom.

¹⁵现在哲士和用法术的都领到我面前，为叫他们读这文字，把讲解告诉我，无奈他们都不能把讲解说出来。Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this inscription and interpret it for me, but they could not give its interpretation.

¹⁶我听说你善于讲解，能解疑惑；现在你若能读这文字，把讲解告诉我，就必身穿紫袍，项戴金链，在我国中位列第三。”But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

但以理责备王

¹⁷但以理在王面前回答说：“你的赠品可以归你自己，你的赏赐可以归给别人；我却要为王读这文字，把讲解告诉王。In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him.

¹⁸王啊，至高的　神曾将国位、大权、荣耀、威严赐与你父尼布甲尼撒；As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.

¹⁹因　神所赐他的大权，各方、各国、各族的人都在他面前战兢恐惧。他可以随意生杀，随意升降。Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished.

²⁰但他心高气傲，灵也刚愎，甚至行事狂傲，就被革去王位，夺去荣耀。But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.

²¹他被赶出离开世人，他的心变如兽心，与野驴同居，吃草如牛，身被天露滴湿，等他知道至高的　神在人的国中掌权，凭自己的意旨立人治国。He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes.

²²伯沙撒啊，你是他的儿子（或译：孙子），你虽知道这一切，你心仍不自卑，But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this.

²³竟向天上的主自高，使人将他殿中的器皿拿到你面前，你和大臣、皇后、妃嫔用这器皿饮酒。你又赞美那不能看、不能听、无知无识、金、银、铜、铁、木、石所造的神，却没有将荣耀归与那手中有你气息，管理你一切行动的　神。Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.

²⁴因此从　神那里显出指头来写这文字。Therefore He sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

弥尼，弥尼，提客勒，乌法珥新

²⁵“所写的文字是：‘弥尼，弥尼，提客勒，乌法珥新。’Now this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.

²⁶讲解是这样：弥尼，就是　神已经数算你国的年日到此完毕。And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

²⁷提客勒，就是你被称在天平里，显出你的亏欠。TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.

²⁸毗勒斯（与乌法珥新同义），就是你的国分裂，归与玛代人和波斯人。”PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”

²⁹伯沙撒下令，人就把紫袍给但以理穿上，把金链给他戴在颈项上，又传令使他在国中位列第三。Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

当夜伯沙撒被杀

³⁰当夜，迦勒底王伯沙撒被杀。That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,

³¹米底亚人大利乌年六十二岁，取了迦勒底国。and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.

但以理超乎众官

¹大利乌随心所愿，立一百二十个总督，治理通国。Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom,

²又在他们以上立总长三人（但以理在其中），使总督在他们三人面前回复事务，免得王受亏损。and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss.

³因这但以理有美好的灵性，所以显然超乎其余的总长和总督，王又想立他治理通国。Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

众官设计陷害

⁴那时，总长和总督寻找但以理误国的把柄，为要参他；只是找不着他的错误过失，因他忠心办事，毫无错误过失。Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.

⁵那些人便说：“我们要找参这但以理的把柄，除非在他　神的律法中就寻不着。”Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

⁶于是，总长和总督纷纷聚集来见王，说：“愿大利乌王万岁！So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever!

⁷国中的总长、钦差、总督、谋士，和巡抚彼此商议，要立一条坚定的禁令（或译：求王下旨要立一条……），三十日内，不拘何人，若在王以外，或向神或向人求什么，就必扔在狮子坑中。All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions.

⁸王啊，现在求你立这禁令，加盖玉玺，使禁令决不更改；照玛代和波斯人的例是不可更改的。”Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

⁹于是大利乌王立这禁令，加盖玉玺。Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

照常一日三次祷告

¹⁰但以理知道这禁令盖了玉玺，就到自己家里（他楼上的窗户开向耶路撒冷），一日三次，双膝跪在他　神面前，祷告感谢，与素常一样。Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

¹¹那些人就纷纷聚集，见但以理在他　神面前祈祷恳求。Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God.

¹²他们便进到王前，提王的禁令，说：“王啊，三十日内不拘何人，若在王以外，或向神或向人求什么，必被扔在狮子坑中。王不是在这禁令上盖了玉玺么？”王回答说：“实有这事，照玛代和波斯人的例是不可更改的。”So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.”

¹³他们对王说：“王啊，那被掳之犹大人中的但以理不理你，也不遵你盖了玉玺的禁令，他竟一日三次祈祷。”Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”

¹⁴王听见这话，就甚愁烦，一心要救但以理，筹划解救他，直到日落的时候。As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him.

¹⁵那些人就纷纷聚集来见王，说：“王啊，当知道玛代人和波斯人有例，凡王所立的禁令和律例都不可更改。”Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.”

扔在狮子坑中

¹⁶王下令，人就把但以理带来，扔在狮子坑中。王对但以理说：“你所常事奉的　神，他必救你。”So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

¹⁷有人搬石头放在坑口，王用自己的玺和大臣的印，封闭那坑，使惩办但以理的事毫无更改。A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.

¹⁸王回宫，终夜禁食，无人拿乐器到他面前，并且睡不着觉。Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.

神封住狮子的口

¹⁹次日黎明，王就起来，急忙往狮子坑那里去。At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions.

²⁰临近坑边，哀声呼叫但以理，对但以理说：“永生　神的仆人但以理啊，你所常事奉的　神能救你脱离狮子吗？”When he reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

²¹但以理对王说：“愿王万岁！Then Daniel replied, “O king, may you live forever!

²²我的　神差遣使者，封住狮子的口，叫狮子不伤我；因我在　神面前无辜，我在王面前也没有行过亏损的事。”My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

²³王就甚喜乐，吩咐人将但以理从坑里系上来。于是但以理从坑里被系上来，身上毫无伤损，因为信靠他的　神。The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den, and when Daniel was lifted out of the den, no wounds whatsoever were found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

²⁴王下令，人就把那些控告但以理的人，连他们的妻子儿女都带来，扔在狮子坑中。他们还没有到坑底，狮子就抓住（原文是胜了）他们，咬碎他们的骨头。At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

大利乌的诏令

²⁵那时，大利乌王传旨，晓谕住在全地各方、各国、各族的人说：“愿你们大享平安！Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound.

²⁶现在我降旨晓谕我所统辖的全国人民，要在但以理的　神面前，战兢恐惧。因为他是永远长存的活　神，他的国永不败坏；他的权柄永存无极！I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end.

²⁷他护庇人，搭救人，在天上地下施行神迹奇事，救了但以理脱离狮子的口。”He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

²⁸如此，这但以理，当大利乌王在位的时候和波斯王古列在位的时候，大享亨通。So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

胜过世界的信心

⁴因为凡从　神生的，就胜过世界；使我们胜了世界的，就是我们的信心。because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

⁵胜过世界的是谁呢？不是那信耶稣是　神儿子的吗？Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

水、血和圣灵的见证

⁶这借着水和血而来的，就是耶稣基督；不是单用水，乃是用水又用血，This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.

⁷并且有圣灵作见证，因为圣灵就是真理。For there are three that testify:

⁸作见证的原来有三：就是圣灵、水，与血，这三样也都归于一。the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.

神为祂儿子作的见证

⁹我们既领受人的见证，　神的见证更该领受（该领受：原文是大）了，因　神的见证是为他儿子作的。Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.

¹⁰信　神儿子的，就有这见证在他心里；不信　神的，就是将　神当作说谎的，因不信　神为他儿子作的见证。Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.

¹¹这见证就是　神赐给我们永生；这永生也是在他儿子里面。And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

¹²人有了　神的儿子就有生命，没有　神的儿子就没有生命。Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

知道自己有永生

¹³我将这些话写给你们信奉　神儿子之名的人，要叫你们知道自己有永生。I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

照祂的旨意祈求

¹⁴我们若照他的旨意求什么，他就听我们，这是我们向他所存坦然无惧的心。And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

¹⁵既然知道他听我们一切所求的，就知道我们所求于他的，无不得着。And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

为犯罪的弟兄祈求

¹⁶人若看见弟兄犯了不至于死的罪，就当为他祈求，　神必将生命赐给他；有至于死的罪，我不说当为这罪祈求。If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.

¹⁷凡不义的事都是罪，也有不至于死的罪。All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.

我们知道

¹⁸我们知道凡从　神生的，必不犯罪，从　神生的，必保守自己（有古卷：那从　神生的必保护他），那恶者也就无法害他。We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.

¹⁹我们知道，我们是属　神的，全世界都卧在那恶者手下。We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

²⁰我们也知道，　神的儿子已经来到，且将智慧赐给我们，使我们认识那位真实的，我们也在那位真实的里面，就是在他儿子耶稣基督里面。这是真神，也是永生。And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

远避偶像

²¹小子们哪，你们要自守，远避偶像！Little children, keep yourselves from idols.