|
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10日）
二月十日 「親愛的弟兄，不要自己伸冤。」羅馬書十二章19節 許多時候，靜比動更費力。靜是力的最高效能。對於那些一無根據的最惡最毒的控告，主始終「甚麼都不答……連一句話也不說」，以致審判官甚覺希奇。對於那些無理的侮辱、不堪的虐待和嘲笑，連旁人都會激起忿怒，可是主始終鎮靜。祂大有能力，纔能不動。凡曾受過冤枉、譭謗、虐待的，都知道維持鎮靜，需要何等大的力量。 使徒保羅說：「沒有一件東西可以搖動我。」（徒廿24，直譯） 人們可能誤解你的意圖， 你給不給叫他們該受譴責， 你錯了， 審判之權將在基督， 他的褒貶， 無關你的人格， 僅可安靜， 不介於心， 毋恐無怵， 自強不息。 他不是說「沒有一件東西可以傷害我」。傷害是一件事，搖動又是一件事。使徒保羅的心頂仁慈。我們沒有讀著過有甚麼使徒曾像使徒保羅那樣痛哭過。一個男子漢哭泣是無礙於一個人的強毅。主曾哭過，祂是有史以來最強毅的人，所以並不說沒有一件東西可以傷害我，但保羅立定決心，凡是他所言為正確真實的任何事物都不能搖動他。我們往常所計較的，他並不計較，他不貪求安適，他不以性命為念。他所追求的只有一件事，就是對主忠心至死，要得主的喜悅。保羅比任何人更能認識了，主的讚賞就是他的酬報，主的微笑就是天堂。 ─波登
■ 英文荒漠甘泉（02月10日）
February 10 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves."(Rom. 12:19.) ＴHERE are seasons when to be still demands immeasurably higher strength than to act. Composure is often the highest result of power. To the vilest and most deadly charges Jesus responded with deep, unbroken silence, such as excited the wonder of the judge and the spectators. To the grossest insults, the most violent ill-treatment and mockery that mighyt well bring indignation into the feeblest heart, He responded with voiceless complacent calmness. Those who are unjustly accused, and causelessly ill-treated know what tremendous strength is necessary to keep silence to God. Paul said,"None of these things move me." "Men may misjudge thy aim, Think they have cause to blame, Say, thou art wrong; Keep on thy quiet way, Christ is the Judge, not they, Fear not, be strong." He did not say, none of these things hurt me. It is one thing to be hurt, and quite another to be moved. St. Paul had a very tender heart. We do not read of any apostle who cried as St. Paul did. It takes a strong man to cry. Jesus wept, and He was the manliest Man that ever lived. So it does not say, none of these things hurt me. But the apostle had determined not to move from what he believed was right. He did not count as we are apt to count; he did not care for ease; he did not care for this mortal life. He cared for only one thing, and that was to be loyal to Christ, to have His smile. To St. Paul, more than to any other man, His work was wages, His smile was Heaven. ─Margaret Bottome.
■ 永活之泉（02月10日）
二月十日 認識神 「認識您，……這就是永生。」約翰福音十七章3節 在屬靈的生命裡，認識神是絕對需要的。這就是永生。這認識並不是人告訴我們的，也不是我們自己想出來的，乃是在生活的經歷裡，神將祂自己啟示在我們心裡。這活的神照出祂那賜生命的，聖潔慈愛的光給那些等候祂的人，正像寒冬的日光，使我們的身體溫暖一樣。 為甚麼我們對於真認識神而有的賜生命能力缺少經歷呢？這就是因為我們沒有給神夠多的時間，讓祂來啟示祂自己。當我們禱告的時候，我們總是想著我們已經很知道如何同神說話；然而，我們卻忘了禱告的時候，第一件事就是要安靜在神面前，讓祂來啟示自己。藉著祂隱藏而有大能的力量，顯出祂的同在，住在我們裡面作工。真的，只有在個人的經歷上認識神的同在和祂的慈愛，才是生命。 也許你曾風聞勞倫斯弟兄。他非常盼望要認識神，所以他就到一修道院去。他屬靈的指導者給他一些關乎祈禱的書，可是他卻把這放在一邊；他說：如果我不認識那聽我禱告的神，這些東西對於我的禱告，並不能有多少的幫助。他相信神要啟示祂自己。他來到這位偉大聖潔的神面前，滿心感覺祂的同在，用很長的時間來安靜的敬拜。他繼續這個操練，到後來他就活在一個不斷與神同在裡，經歷了神的親近和保守的能力。每日早晨太陽升起，便擔保整日都有亮光；照樣，當我們每天早晨安靜等候神，降服我們自己，讓祂來光照我們，祂的同在和能力也擔保整天隨著我們。這要看你能不能確定，太陽已經在你裡面升起了。 要學習這一個偉大的功課，就是學習太陽每天所宣告的。在寒冬，太陽怎樣照著我們，使我們溫暖；同樣，我們要相信，那活的神要用祂的愛和大能工作在你裡面。祂要向那些等候祂的人啟示——祂是生命、是亮光、是喜樂和能力。 「耶和華啊，求您仰起臉來，光照我們。」（詩四6） 「你們要休息，要知道我是神。」（詩四十六10）
■ 中文屬天日子（02月10日）
二月十日 你對於神的想像消失了麼？ 「你們向上舉目，看誰創造這萬象。」以賽亞書四十章26節 在以賽亞的時候，神的百姓，因瞻仰偶像的面，消失了他們對於神的想像，而以賽亞叫他們舉目望天；那就是他叫他們開始善用想像的方法。自然對於一個聖者，是屬聖的。如果我們是神的兒女，我們就有無窮的寶藏藏在自然中。如果我們運用我們消失的想像去認識它，則神從吹的風，從日從夜，從天之垂象，從花開花謝各方面的臨到。 想像的專注是靈性集中的準衡。你的想像是瞻仰偶像的面容麼？偶像是你自己麼？是你的工作麼？是你對於工作者應有的概念麼？是你救贖和成聖的經驗麼？那麼，你對於神的想像是消失了，保你沒有力量去抵抗困難，只能在黑暗中忍受著。如果你的想像消失了，不回顧你自己的經驗，需要的就是神。不要靠自己，不要注視你偶像的面容，也不要傾向那消失你想像的任何事物。奮興你自己，接受以賽亞給與百姓的嘲笑，立意把你的想像轉向神。 祈禱價值降低的原因，是沒有想像，沒有力量把自己供獻神，我們必要習知怎麼多在祈禱上，做擘的餅和奠的酒，少在對人的方面去做擘的餅和奠的酒。想像是神給與聖者的能力，將自身置於他從沒有經過的關係中。
■ 中文上海嗎哪（02月10日）
二月十日 「我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的，不再是我……」加拉太書二章20節 基督的生命和我們的天性應該是融合在一起的。有一天，一個很有思想、聰明絕頂的非基督徒女性，帶著追求真理的態度問我：「當基督進入我們心中之後，我們如何能不失去我們的個人特性？因這個經驗不僅會破壞我們的個性，甚至與我們個人的責任相違。」 我的反應是：「沒有基督，我們的個性不會完全。因為基督乃為我們而生，我們也是為基督而活。所以直到我們遇見主，我們並不能得以完全。主需要我們，就像我們需要祂一樣。」 請讓我繼續說明：「假如瓦斯噴出口說：『如果我讓火進來，那麼從我出來的瓦斯就會失去它的特性。』其實不然，因為惟有當火通過瓦斯管時，瓦斯才能真正有存在的價值。如果雪花說：『我若一落到地上，就會失去我的特性，我該怎麼辦呢？』儘管雪花落到地上會被土壤吸收，當春天來臨時，我們可以從櫻草花和小雛菊看到雪花對大地的影響。」 因此，讓我們與基督同死，然後在基督裡得到新的生命。
|
中英聖經朗讀◎黃哲輝牧師◎
