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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08日）
二月八日 「我……常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」太廿八章20節（集註本） 不要帶著懼怕的心去看前面將臨的事。要帶著盼望去看它們，因為主是我們的主，必要帶領我們一步一步過去。祂常與你同在；你只要緊緊抓住祂的手，祂會引導你安然經過一切的；當你軟弱無力，站立不住的時候，祂會將你懷抱在祂大能的膀臂中。 不要為明天憂慮。永活的神今天既然看顧你，明天、每一天，也必定會同樣看顧你。有時祂不叫你遇見試探，有時祂加你力量使你能忍受試探。所以放心，拋棄一切焦急的意念和煩惱的想像。 ─撒勒 「耶和華是我的牧者。」（詩廿三1）「是」字在原文是現在式；不是過去式「曾是」，也不是將來式「將是」，也不是未定式「或是」，「耶和華是我的牧者」，祂現在是，祂永遠是，在主日是，在星期一也是，在一星期中每一天都是；在正月是，在十二月也是，在一年中每一月都是；在家裏是，在外鄉也是；在平安時是，在危險時也是；在豐餘時是，在缺乏時也是。在任何環境中都是。 ─戴德生 祂一聲不響為你安排， 給你無微不至的關懷， 祂擔任你的嚮導， 渡過埋伏著的陷阱與圈套。 祂一聲不響為你安排， 確實可靠， 決無乖差。 依賴神的信義， 你必會因祂而奏效。 祂一聲不響為你安排， 出乎意料的仁愛無涯， 眼不曾見， 耳不曾聞， 卻在天上為你保存。 祂一聲不響為你安排， 起初你不明白祂的意念， 這謎一樣的傑作， 似乎複雜， 最後終將祂的旨意全揭開。 祂一聲不響為你安排， 好像慈父對寵兒的關懷， 似乎除了你以外， 無人為神所鍾愛。 ─格蘭姆斯
■ 英文荒漠甘泉（02月08日）
February 8 "Lo, I am with you all the appointed days."(Matt. 28:20.) (Variorum Version.) ＤO not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear. Rather look at them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto; do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. ─Frances de Sales. "The Lord is my shepherd." Not was, not may be, nor will be. "The Lord is my shepherd," is on Sunday, is on Monday, and is through every day of the week; is in January, is in December, and every month of the year; is at home, and is in China; is in peace, and, is in war; in abundance, and in penury. ─J. Hudson Taylor. HE will silently plan for thee, Object thou of omniscient care; God Himself undertakes to be Thy Pilot through each subtle snare. He WIll silently plan for thee, So certainly, He cannot fail! Rest on the faithfulness of God, In Him thou surely shalt prevail. He will SILENTLY plan for thee Some wonderful surprise of love. Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard, But it is kept for thee above. He will silently PLAN for thee, His purposes shall all unfold; The tangled skein shall shine at last, A masterpiece of skill untold. He will silently plan FOR THEE, Happy child of a Father's care, As though no other claimed His love, But thou alone to Him wert dear. ─E. Mary Grimes.
■ 永活之泉（02月08日）
二月八日 單獨親近神 「耶穌自己禱告。」路加福音九章18節 「（祂）就獨自又退到山上去了。」約翰福音六章15節 人需要神，神造人是為了祂自己。要人在裡面單獨地得著祂的生命和喜樂。 人需要單獨的親近神。但是人因為有肉體和世界的情慾，便墮落到暫時並可見之事物的權勢底下。他的恢復就是重新回到父的家裡，活在父的同在、父的慈愛，和父的交通裡面。救恩就是帶領人愛慕，並喜悅與神同在。 人需要單獨的與神同在。沒有這個，神就得不著機會照到人的心裡，藉著祂聖潔的工作改變人的本性，並且神的豐滿也不能充滿到人的裡面。 人需要單獨的與神同在，將他自己降服在祂的聖潔、祂的生命、祂慈愛的能力面前。基督在地上的時候，也需要這個。若是祂沒有常常離開那些圍繞祂的事物，去單獨親近神，祂就不能在肉身中活出那一個「子」的生命。而這一個對於我們更是何等的需要呢！ 當我們的主給我們那祝福的命令，叫我們進入我們的內室，關上門，單獨禱告我們在暗中的父的時候，祂也給我們應許，父必要聽這樣的禱告，並且在人的面前，並在我們的生活中大大地報答我們。 單獨的親近神——這是真實禱告的秘訣，也是在禱告裡真實的能力；並且是真的、活的，與神面對面的相交和事奉的能力。若沒有每天單獨親近神，就沒有真的、深的與神談話；也沒有真的、深的聖潔；同時也不能穿上聖靈和能力，更沒有長久的平安和喜樂。除了多多長久的單獨親近神之外，就沒有進入聖潔之路。 每天早晨實習隱密處的禱告，是一個何等不可估量的權利呢！讓我們的心放在這上面尋找、尋見，並碰見神。我的心哪，要花時間來單獨親近神。以後你就要對那些以為五分鐘的禱告就夠了的人，覺得驚奇了。 「我的王，我的神阿，求您垂聽我呼求的聲音，因為我向您禱告。」（詩五2）
■ 中文屬天日子（02月08日）
二月八日 及時和不斷的成聖 「願賜平安的神，親自使你們全然成聖。」帖撒羅尼迦前書五章23—24節 當我們祈求成聖的時候，是準備遵照這兩節聖經的標準麼？我們把「成聖」這名詞看得太輕了。我們準備為成聖付上任何代價嗎？成聖的代價，是要我們對於人世的興趣縮到最小，對於神的興趣擴到無限的大。成聖的意思，是聚精會神於神之一點。那便是說，把身心靈的各種精力專為神的旨意保存著。我們準備讓神在我們裡面施行祂所派遣的一切麼？神在我們裡面的工作告成以後，我們是否像耶穌那樣順服神呢？「因他們的緣故，我自己成聖。」我們之中有些人沒有得到成聖的經驗，原因是我們沒有從神的觀點來領悟成聖的意義。成聖的意義，是與耶穌合而為一，讓支配祂的品格來支配我們。我們要準備付上相當的代價，代價便是我們裡面一切不屬神的事情。 我們準備接受使徒保羅祈禱的指揮麼？我們準備說：「主啊，願您使我成聖，就如您藉著恩典使罪人所能達到的成聖一樣。」耶穌禱告說，惟願我們與祂合而為一，正如祂與父合而為一一樣。聖靈在人裡面唯一事工，是叫人與耶穌基督發生家族的相像，脫去一切與祂不像的成分。我們準備分別自己，讓聖靈在我們裡面操持一切麼？
■ 中文上海嗎哪（02月08日）
二月八日 「並不是我們憑自己能承擔甚麼事，我們所能承擔的，乃是出於神」哥林多後書三章5節 「神能將多樣的恩惠，多多地加給你們，使你們凡事常常充足」哥林多後書九章8節 不足及充足是完全相反的兩個名詞，然而得知自己的不足、認識神的充足，卻是得勝基督徒的秘訣。 當我們發現且承認自己完全無助時，我們就可以從神那裡不斷地得到屬靈的糧食。舊約的時候，神使人看見自己的失敗；新約時，神將基督的豐富顯現給世人看。神能將各樣的恩惠加給我們，但我們必須先接受我們不足的事實。 簡言之，基督徒得以完全的重點，在於不斷地否定自我的義、繼續接受基督的義。當我們接納我們空無所有，以及敗壞的事實，才能使我們祈求祂的恩惠。然而，承認知道我們的不足，卻不抓住神多樣的恩惠，是極為可能的事。所以我們必須靠著信心，不得到完全的祝福絕不罷手。
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中英聖經朗讀◎黃哲輝牧師◎
