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1:1 亞哈隨魯作王，從印度直到古實，統管一百二十七省。 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, 1:1 Hebrew ((Ahasuerus,)) a variant of Xerxes' Persian name; here and throughout Esther the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush: 1:1 That is, the upper Nile region
1:2 亞哈隨魯王在書珊城的宮登基； At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 1:3 在位第三年，為他一切首領臣僕設擺筵席，有波斯和米底亞的權貴，就是各省的貴冑與首領，在他面前。 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. 1:4 他把他榮耀之國的豐富和他美好威嚴的尊貴給他們看了許多日，就是一百八十日。 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 1:5 這日子滿了，又為所有住書珊城的大小人民在御園的院子裏設擺筵席七日。 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Susa. 1:6 有白色、綠色、藍色的帳子，用細麻繩、紫色繩從銀環內繫在白玉石柱上；有金銀的榻擺在紅、白、黃、黑玉石鋪的石地上。 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 1:7 用金器皿賜酒，器皿各有不同。御酒甚多，足顯王的厚意。 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king's liberality. 1:8 喝酒有例，不准勉強人，因王吩咐宮裏的一切臣宰，讓人各隨己意。 By the king's command each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. 1:9 王后瓦實提在亞哈隨魯王的宮內也為婦女設擺筵席。 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. 1:10 第七日，亞哈隨魯王飲酒，心中快樂，就吩咐在他面前侍立的七個太監米戶幔、比斯他、哈波拿、比革他、亞拔他、西達、甲迦， On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him--Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas-- 1:11 請王后瓦實提頭戴王后的冠冕到王面前，使各等臣民看她的美貌，因為她容貌甚美。 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 1:12 王后瓦實提卻不肯遵太監所傳的王命而來，所以王甚發怒，心如火燒。 But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger. 1:13 那時，在王左右常見王面、國中坐高位的，有波斯和米底亞的七個大臣，就是甲示拿、示達、押瑪他、他施斯、米力、瑪西拿、米母干，都是達時務的明哲人。按王的常規，辦事必先詢問知例明法的人。王問他們說： Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 1:14 那時，在王左右常見王面、國中坐高位的，有波斯和米底亞的七個大臣，就是甲示拿、示達、押瑪他、他施斯、米力、瑪西拿、米母干，都是達時務的明哲人。按王的常規，辦事必先詢問知例明法的人。王問他們說： and were closest to the king--Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. 1:15 「王后瓦實提不遵太監所傳的王命，照例應當怎樣辦理呢？」 <<According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?>> he asked. <<She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.>> 1:16 米母干在王和眾首領面前回答說：「王后瓦實提這事，不但得罪王，並且有害於王各省的臣民； Then Memucan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, <<Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 1:17 因為王后這事必傳到眾婦人的耳中，說：『亞哈隨魯王吩咐王后瓦實提到王面前，她卻不來』，她們就藐視自己的丈夫。 For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, <King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.> 1:18 今日波斯和米底亞的眾夫人聽見王后這事，必向王的大臣照樣行；從此必大開藐視和忿怒之端。 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen's conduct will respond to all the king's nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. 1:19 王若以為美，就降旨寫在波斯和米底亞人的例中，永不更改，不准瓦實提再到王面前，將她王后的位分賜給比她還好的人。 <<Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 1:20 所降的旨意傳遍通國（國度本來廣大），所有的婦人，無論丈夫貴賤都必尊敬他。」 Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.>> 1:21 王和眾首領都以米母干的話為美，王就照這話去行， The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memucan proposed. 1:22 發詔書，用各省的文字、各族的方言通知各省，使為丈夫的在家中作主，各說本地的方言。 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, proclaiming in each people's tongue that every man should be ruler over his own household. This is Alex Markley's PHPScripture v1.2.0, displaying a copy of Chinese Union Version Bible in XOOPS. 本模組中文化由長島基督福音教會的Jack起始, 聖經文字部分由CCIM(網路基督使團)網站下載. 如欲修改經文請洽聖經公會. 荒漠甘泉五合一■ 中文荒漠甘泉（02月18日）
二月十八日 「凡你們禱告祈求的，無論是甚麼，只要信是得著的，就必得著。」馬可福音十一章24節 我有一個十歲的孩子，他的祖母應許給他一本郵票簿。可是過了許久，她並沒有給他，也不再提起。這孩子也並不放在心上；可是，當他的同伴來看他的禮物時，他一件一件把收到的禮物拿出來給他們看了之後，總加上一句：「祖母給我一本郵票簿。」 我聽他說了好幾次，很是希奇，所以我特地叫他到我面前來，問他說：「喬琪，你並沒有從你祖母那裏得到一本郵票簿。你為甚麼常對你的同伴這樣說呢？」 他臉上起了詫異之色，似乎希奇我會發這樣一個問題，他回答說：「媽媽，祖母既應許了，這就等於我已經得著了。」我就不能再說甚麼，免得傷他的信心。 一個月過去了，郵票簿仍是無著落。一天，我要試試他的信心，就對他說: 「喬琪，我想祖母已經忘記了她的應許。」 他很快，很堅持地說：「不，媽媽，她決不會忘記的。」 我望著那親愛的、深信的小臉，看見他現著很正經的樣子，好似要辯服我方纔所說的話一般。過了一回，他臉上現出了喜悅的光彩，說道： 「媽媽你想我好不好現在寫一封信去謝謝她的禮物呢？」 我說：「我不替你規定；可是，你可以試一試。」 （這時候神用光照亮我，給我看見了一段豐富屬靈的真理。）幾分鐘之內，他已把謝信寫好寄出了，回來的時候，嘴裏還唱著歡樂的歌兒，證明他對他祖母的信任。不久，回信來了，裏面寫著： 「我所親愛的喬琪：我並沒有忘記我對你的應許——一本郵票簿。我想照你合意的樣式去買，可是在本城買不到；所以我就到紐約城去函購。寄到了以後，一看，仍舊不對，所以我又到芝加哥去函購了。你所愛的祖母」 他讀完了信，臉上帶著勝利的氣概，對我說：「媽媽，我不是告訴過你麼？祖母既應許了，這就等於我已經得著了。」他的心裏，從來沒有疑惑過，這就是「在無可指望的時候，因信仍有指望。」（羅四18）他深信郵票簿一定會來的。他信他的祖母進行，不久信心就變成了事實。 人們常要在神的應許上先有眼見，但是我們的主對多馬說，也對那些跟從祂而懷疑的人說：「那沒有看見就信的，有福了。」（約廿29） ─朗滋夫人
■ 英文荒漠甘泉（02月18日）
February 18 "Have faith that whatever you ask for in prayer is already granted you, and you will find that it will be." (Mark 11:24.) ＷHEN my little son was about ten years of age, his grandmother promised him a stamp album for Christmas. Christmas came, but no stamp album, and no word from grandmother. The matter, however, was not mentioned; but when his playmates came to see his Christmas presents, I was astonished, after he had named over this and that as gifts received, to hear him add, "And a stamp album from grandmother." I had heard it several times, when I called him to me, and said, "But, Georgie, you did not get an album from your grandmother. Why do you say so?" There was a wondering look on his face, as if he thought it strange that I should ask such a question, and he replied, "Well, mamma, grandma said, so it is the same as." I could not say a word to check his faith. A month went by, and nothing was heard from the album. Finally, one day, I said, to test his faith, and really wondering in my heart why the album had not been sent, "Well, Georgie, I think grandma has forgotten her promise.""Oh, no, mamma," he quickly and firmly said," she hasn't." I watched the dear, trusting face, which, for a while, looked very sober, as if debating the possiblities I had suggested. Finally a bright light passed over it, and he said, "Mamma, do you think it would do any good if I should write to her thanking her for the album?" "I do not know," I said, "but you might try it." A rich spiritual truth began to dawn upon me. In a few minutes a letter was prepared and committed to the mail, and he went off whistling his confidence in his grandma. In just a short time a letter came, saying: "My dear Georgie: I have not forgotten my promise to you, of an album. I tried to get such a book as you desired, but could not get the sort you wanted; so I sent on to New York. It did not get here till after Christmas, and it was still not right, so I sent for another, and as it has not come as yet, I send you three dollars to get one in Chicago. Your loving grandma." "As he read the letter, his face was the face of a victor. "Now, mamma, didn't I tell you?" came from the depths of a heart that never doubted, that, "against hope, believed in hope" that the stamp album would come. While he was trusting, grandma was working, and in due season faith became sight. It is so human to want sight when we step out on the promises of God, but our Savior said to Thomas, and to the long roll of doubters who have ever since followed him: "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." ─Mrs. Rounds.
■ 永活之泉（02月18日）
二月十八日 神的全能 「我是全能的神。」創世記十七章1節 亞伯拉罕聽見這話以後，就俯伏在地；神對他說話，使他充滿信心，信神必為他作事。基督徒啊，你有沒有深深謙卑地俯伏在神面前，直到你覺得你已經和那位全能者面對相見，並且滿心相信，神已經在你裡面作工，並要成全這工呢？ 詩篇裡有多處記載，從前有許多信徒如何在神和祂的能力裡榮耀神。「耶和華，我的力量啊，我愛您！」（詩十八1）「耶和華是我性命的保障。」（詩廿七1）「神是我心裡的力量。」（詩七十三26）「使我心裡有能力。」（詩一三八3）再看詩篇十八篇32節，九十六篇1節，六十八篇28節，六十八篇35節，五十九篇17節，八十九篇17節。將這些話引用到自己身上，並且敬拜全能者是你的力量。 基督教訓我們，救恩是神的工作，人是絕對不能作的。門徒們問：「這樣，誰能得救呢？」主的回答是：「在人這是不能的，在神凡事都能。」如果我們堅信這個，我們就能相信，神是按祂所看為好的，作工在我們裡面。 讓我們想一想保羅為以弗所人怎樣禱告，他求神藉著聖靈的光照，使他們認識，「祂向我們這信的人所顯的能力，是何等浩大。」同時，保羅在歌羅西書一章11節又說：「照祂榮耀的權能，得以在各樣的力上加力。」當人完全相信神的大能，是不止息地在他裡面作工的時候，他就能歡樂著說：「神是我生命的力量。」 你希奇有許多的基督徒，常常說到他們的軟弱和失敗。這是因為他們不認識全能的神，必須逐日逐時在他們裡面作工。這一個就是真實信心生活的秘訣。 不要停止追求，直到你能對神說：「你是他們力量的榮耀。」（詩八十九17）
■ 中文屬天日子（02月18日）
二月十八日 避免失望 「起來，我們走吧！」馬太福音廿六章46節 門徒們於當驚醒的時候，反而睡起覺來；當他們覺悟他們所行之錯誤，就失望起來。不可挽救的感覺易於使我們失望，我們心裡似乎說：「現在，一切都完了，再用力，也沒有用了。」如果我們以這種失望視為非常，那就錯了，殊不知這是人類極平常的經驗。無論何時，我們認知我們沒有成功那機會足以促我們成功的事，我們就容易墮入失望之中，可是耶穌就來向我們說：「現在還睡覺，這個機會失了，不能再來，你也不能改造，可是要起來，去對付將要來到的那件事吧！」讓過去的睡眠，睡在基督的胸懷，而你要與基督攜起手來走進那不可避免的將來。 我們定有這種經驗在我們各人的生活中。我們失望，失望是從現實而來，我們也不能把自己從失望中超拔出來。就是耶穌的門徒也陷到這種困境之中，他們去睡覺，不同耶穌儆醒，卻是耶穌來，激起他們靈性的自動，打消他們意志的消沉說：「起來，對付將要來到的事吧！」如果我們為神所激動，那將要來到的事是甚麼呢？就是絕對倚靠祂，藉著祂的救贖去祈求。 千萬不要讓失敗的意識毀壞你的新動作。
■ 中文上海嗎哪（02月18日）
二月十八日 「……基督在你們心裡……」歌羅西書一章27節 新約與舊約中的救贖相差是何等的大啊！只要能得著基督的生命，任何人即使掙扎一生也是值得。 某位有失明之虞的病人躺在醫院裡，他的眼睛有一小段破碎的針。一次接著一次的手術，不僅更刺激他的眼睛，甚至使那段針進入眼睛更脆弱的部份。 最後，一位年輕但技術高明的醫生想到一個權宜之計。有一天，他既不帶披針也沒帶探針，手裡只拿了一個雖小，但磁度大的磁鐵走近病人，他把磁鐵放在受傷的眼睛上移動，立刻那段針就開始受強大的磁力吸引而移動。很快地，針被磁鐵吸住，使病人不需要再受更多切割之苦，就得到完全的醫治。 這個方法雖然極為簡單，卻是奇妙無比。藉著磁鐵的磁力，這隻眼睛不但完全脫離險境，而且能重見光明。相同的，神也能藉著基督生命及其能力的簡單吸引力，使我們得到救贖。
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中英聖經朗讀◎黃哲輝牧師◎
