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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22日）
二月廿二日 「你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能。」馬可福音九章23節 我們難得能聽到信心準確的解釋。有一次，我們聚會的時候，一個青年人問起怎樣可以從神那裏得到需要的幫助；於是有一個親愛的老婦人站起來，伸出她的指頭來指著那個青年人，很鄭重地回答說：「你只要相信神已經作了，事情就成了。」這纔是信心準確的解釋。多少時候，我們最大的危險乃是；求了神之後，我們不相信神已經作了，我們倒設法去幫助祂，還請別人去幫助祂；然後看神怎樣去作這件事。 真的信心，一經「阿們」神的「我肯」，就釋手，讓神獨自去完成祂的工作。它的不二法門就是：「當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠祂，祂就必成全。」（詩卅七5） ─譯自屬天的日子 神的話已經夠我相信， 讚美神， 祂已經聽到我的祈禱， 祈求主給我一個回訊， 我不問祂如何完成。 積極的信心，在得到了神的應許以後，立刻能發出讚美和感謝來，雖然應許還沒有實踐；因為它知道神的支票和神的現款一樣好。 ─亨利馬太 消極的信心， 接受了神的諾言， 並不照神的指示行動， 積極的信心， 照神的旨意， 去進行， 證實祂所賜的榮寵。 消極的信心說：「我相信，神的話句句都真。」我知道祂的吩咐絕沒有不能或不願幫助的成分，祂吩咐我「前進」，但我只見路途已遭封閉，還是等洪水分開再說，那時我會到達迦南福地了。我並且聽見祂在命令：「起來，拿你的褥子回家去罷；」還有祂對久已枯萎的手臂說：「伸出你的枯手來」；只要等我身體強壯的時候，我就可以站起來了，等我霍然痊癒時，我的手也一定伸展自如了。我知道「神的萬能」，掌有一切的權力，我相信，每個允許到了那時候都會給我應驗。 積極的信心說：「我相信；現在我就接受祂的吩咐」，我知道只要我接受，每個允許都會應驗。因此我舉步入水，就發現了前進的坦途，一直往前進入了美地；不為任何所阻擋。有了祂的吩咐，我立刻應命起身，忻然舉步，我把手一伸，枯萎的殘臂恢復健康。除了祂可靠的應許，我還有什麼需求和願望呢？我不期待奇蹟或徵兆，一點也不會滯延。我確知神的萬能，掌有一切權力，我相信每個允許立刻能應驗。 消極的信心， 祗在光明環境中讚美深恩， 積極的信心， 最黑暗的境遇也會感激主恩， 你的信心何屬？ 自己可細細的忖。 ─選
■ 英文荒漠甘泉（02月22日）
February 22 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23.) ＳELDOM have we heard a better definition of faith than was given once in one of our meetings, by a dear old colored woman, as she answered the question of a young man how to take the Lord for needed help. In her characteristic way, pointing her finger toward him, she said with great emphasis: "You've just got to believe that He's done it and it's done." The great danger with most of us is that, after we ask Him to do it, we do not believe that it is done, but we keep on helping Him, and getting others to help Him; and waiting to see how He is going to do it. Faith adds its "Amen" to God's "Yea, and then takes its hands off, and leaves God to finish His work. Its language is, "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he worketh." ─Days of Heaven upon Earth. "I simply take Him at His word, I praise Him that my prayer is heard, And claim my answer from the lord; I take, He undertakes." An active faith can give thanks for a promise, though it be not as yet performed; knowing that God's bonds are as good as ready money. ─Matthew Henry. Passive faith accepts the word as true─ But never moves. Active faith begins the work to do, And thereby proves. Passive faith says, "I believe it! every word of God is true. Well I know He hath not spoken what He cannot, will not, do. He hath bidden me, `Go forward!' but a closed-up way I see, When the waters are divided, soon in Canaan's land I'll be. Lo! I hear His voice commanding, `Rise and walk: take up thy bed';And, `Stretch forth thy withered member!' which for so long has been dead.When I am a little stronger, then, I know I'll surely stand: When there comes a thrill of healing, I will use with ease my other hand. Yes, I know that `God is able' and full willing all to do: I believe that every promise, sometime, will to me come true." Active faith says, "I believe it! and the promise now I take, Knowing well, as I receive it, God, each promise, real will make. So I step into the waters, finding there an open way; Onward press, the land pssessing; nothing can my progress stay. Yea, I rise at His commanding, walk straightway, and joyfully: This, my hand, so sadly shrivelled, as I reach, restored shall be. What beyond his faithful promise, would I wish or do I need? Looking not for `signs or wonders.' I'll no contradiction heed. Well I know that `God is able,' and full willing all to do: I believe that every promise, at this moment can come true." Passive faith but praises in the light, When sun doth shine. Active faith will praise in darkest night─ Which faith is thine? ─Selected.
■ 永活之泉（02月22日）
二月廿二日 神的聖潔（新約） 「聖父阿，求您因您所賜給我的名保守他們。……，使他們為聖。我為他們的緣故，自己分別為聖，叫他們也因真理成聖。」約翰福音十七章11、17、19節 基督曾祈求過這樣一個大的禱告，並盼望得神的成全。 請我們聽保羅在帖撒羅尼迦前書所說的：「我們晝夜切切地祈求，……好使你們在我們……父神面前，心裡堅固，成為聖潔，無可責備。」（帖前三10、13）「賜平安的神，親自使你們全然成聖。」（帖前五23）「祂必成就這事。」（帖前五24） 請好好地思想這些話，並以此向神禱告：「主啊！堅固我的心，使我聖潔無可責備，求神自己使我完全成聖。」神是信實的，祂必作成這事。在隱密處與神相交是何等的權利。請用以上這些話來禱告，並且在神面前等候，讓聖靈在我們心裡作工，使我們漸漸認識關於神聖潔的事。 寫信給在哥林多神的教會就是「在基督耶穌裡成聖，蒙召作聖徒的。」（林前一2）在舊約裡，神已經啟示了祂的聖潔。在新約裡，我們看見，神的子民在基督裡的聖潔，是藉著聖靈的成聖得到的。哦，但願我們明白這話語裡的祝福：「你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。」 「哦！我的兒女們，無論在你們或是在我，聖潔該是重要的事。」為此三而一的神，就藉著子和聖靈，向我們啟示祂自己。讓我們用「聖潔」來尊敬神，用渴慕的心來追求聖潔。敬拜祂就是那對我們說：「我是叫你們成聖的耶和華。」存著聖潔的敬畏並熱切的盼望，俯伏在祂面前，然後在充足的信心裡，聽這禱告的應許：「親自使你們全然成聖，祂必成就這事。」
■ 中文屬天日子（02月22日）
二月廿二日 靈性堅忍的訓練 「你們要休息，要知道我是神。」詩篇四六篇10節 堅忍不只是忍耐，是伴著信其必成之望的一種忍耐。堅忍不只是死不放手，死不放手有時是懼怕滑跌的弱點的表現。堅忍是某人絕對的努力，不信他的志願是會失敗的。一個真的基督徒最大戒懼不是怕下地獄，卻是怕耶穌基督被人輕視，怕祂所代表的事──人間的愛，公義，饒恕和恩惠──不能達到最後的勝利；這些事常被人看為海市蜃樓。到這個地步，才有用於靈性的堅忍，並不是死不放手無所事事，卻是知道神不會失敗而努力工作。 如果我們的希望，此刻感覺失望，卻就表示我們的希望正在淨化。人類之心所盼望或夢想成功的，是沒有一樣不成功的。生活中最難做的事情，是等候神。「你既遵守了我忍耐的道。」 靈性的堅忍，是應永記弗忘的。
■ 中文上海嗎哪（02月22日）
二月廿二日 「因為那進入安息的，乃是歇了自己的工，正如神歇了祂的工一樣」希伯來書四章10節 我們如果能把重擔交託基督，全然、毫不保留地把所有的憂慮及需要都轉給祂，就好像我們不必為那些事負任何責任，那麼我們所得到的安息將是何等的好呀！我們真是應該有祂必看顧一切需要的確據，而且相信祂會為我們禱告、工作、受苦。 事實上，祂邀請我們進入祂的安息裡。祂說：「凡勞苦擔重擔的人，可以到我這 裡來，我就使你們得安息，……你們當負我的軛，我的樣式……」(太十一28－29)當祂負我們的軛時，我們會發現負祂的軛要比負我們自己的輕一千倍。 當我們能花一個小時為他人祈禱時，要比我們為自己禱告五分鐘，更能帶給我們喜樂。為什麼我們仍要為自己可鄙的包袱擔憂呢？ 為了使我們得安息， 祂帶著恩惠尋找到我， 又以祂的豐富帶領我， 祂既以寶血救贖了我， 我更要因此傳揚佳音。
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中英聖經朗讀◎黃哲輝牧師◎
