2021年9月3日 星期五

使徒行傳27:1-44

 


27:1 非斯都既然定規了,叫我們坐船往意大利去,便將保羅和別的囚犯交給御營裡的一個百夫長,名叫猶流。
27:2
有一隻亞大米田的船,要沿著亞細亞一帶地方的海邊走,我們就上了那船開行;有馬其頓的帖撒羅尼迦人亞里達古和我們同去。
27:3
第二天,到了西頓;猶流寬待保羅,准他往朋友那裡去,受他們的照應。
27:4
從那裡又開船,因為風不順,就貼著塞浦路斯背風岸行去。
27:5
過了基利家、旁非利亞前面的海,就到了呂家的每拉。
27:6
在那裡,百夫長遇見一隻亞歷山大的船,要往意大利去,便叫我們上了那船。
27:7
一連多日,船行得慢,僅僅來到革尼土的對面。因為被風攔阻,就貼著克里特背風岸,從撒摩尼對面行過。
27:8
我們沿岸行走,僅僅來到一個地方,名叫佳澳;離那裡不遠,有拉西亞城。
27:9
走的日子多了,已經過了禁食的節期,行船又危險,保羅就勸眾人說:
27:10
「眾位,我看這次行船,不但貨物和船要受傷損,大遭破壞,連我們的性命也難保。」
27:11
但百夫長信從掌船的和船主,不信從保羅所說的。
27:12
且因在這海口過冬不便,船上的人就多半說,不如開船離開這地方,或者能到菲尼基過冬。菲尼基是克里特的一個海口,一面朝東北,一面朝東南。
27:13
這時,微微起了南風,他們以為得意,就起了錨,貼近克里特行去。
27:14
不多幾時,狂風從島上撲下來;那風名叫「友拉革羅」。
27:15
船被風抓住,敵不住風,我們就任風颳去。
27:16
貼著一個小島的背風岸奔行,那島名叫高大,在那裡僅僅收住了小船。
27:17
既然把小船拉上來,就用纜索捆綁船底,又恐怕在賽耳底沙灘上擱了淺,就落下篷來,任船飄去。
27:18
我們被風浪逼得甚急,第二天眾人就把貨物拋在海裡。
27:19
到第三天,他們又親手把船上的器具拋棄了。
27:20
太陽和星辰多日不顯露,又有狂風大浪催逼,我們得救的指望就都絕了。
27:21
眾人多日沒有吃甚麼,保羅就出來站在他們中間,說:「眾位,你們本該聽我的話,不離開克里特,免得遭這樣的傷損破壞。
27:22
現在我還勸你們放心,你們的性命一個也不失喪,惟獨失喪這船。
27:23
因我所屬所事奉的上帝,他的使者昨夜站在我旁邊,說:
27:24
『保羅,不要害怕,你必定站在凱撒面前,並且與你同船的人,上帝都賜給你了。』
27:25
所以眾位可以放心,我信上帝他怎樣對我說,事情也要怎樣成就。
27:26
只是我們必要撞在一個島上。」
27:27
到了第十四天夜間,船在亞得里亞海飄來飄去。約到半夜,水手以為漸近旱地,
27:28
就探深淺,探得有十二丈;稍往前行,又探深淺,探得有九丈。
27:29
恐怕撞在石頭上,就從船尾拋下四個錨,盼望天亮。
27:30
水手想要逃出船去,把小船放在海裡,假作要從船頭拋錨的樣子。
27:31
保羅對百夫長和兵丁說:「這些人若不等在船上,你們必不能得救。」
27:32
於是兵丁砍斷小船的繩子,由它飄去。
27:33
天漸亮的時候,保羅勸眾人都吃飯,說:「你們懸望忍餓不吃甚麼,已經十四天了。
27:34
所以我勸你們吃飯,這是關乎你們救命的事;因為你們各人連一根頭髮也不至於損壞。」
27:35
保羅說了這話,就拿著餅,在眾人面前祝謝了上帝,擘開吃。
27:36
於是他們都放下心,也就吃了。
27:37
我們在船上的共有二百七十六個人。
27:38
他們吃飽了,就把船上的麥子拋在海裡,為要叫船輕一點。
27:39
「到了天亮,他們不認識那地方,但見一個海灣,有岸可登,就商議能把船攏進去不能。
27:40
於是砍斷纜索,棄錨在海裡;同時也鬆開舵繩,拉起頭篷,順著風向岸行去。
27:41
但遇著兩水夾流的地方,就把船擱了淺;船頭膠住不動,船尾被浪的猛力衝壞。
27:42
兵丁的意思要把囚犯殺了,恐怕有洑水脫逃的。
27:43
但百夫長要救保羅,不准他們任意而行,就吩咐會洑水的,跳下水去先上岸;
27:44
其餘的人可以用板子或船上的零碎東西上岸。這樣,眾人都得了救,上了岸。

 

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.

The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.[a] So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor[b] and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic[c] Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet[d] deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet[e] deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

 

***********

 

   這一路雖然辛苦,船壞了、貨物也丟了,卻每一個人都平安上岸,這真是上帝透過保羅賜福給同船的人。

 

    基督徒在世也要像保羅一般,讓別人透過我們享受上帝的恩福!

 

 

 

 

2021年9月2日 星期四

羅馬書10:9

 


你若口裡認耶穌為主,心裡信上帝叫他從死裡復活,就必得救。

 

 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

*******

 

    我們都盼望被上帝拯救,但是上帝真的樂意拯救我們。祂也在這裡啟示我們,要得上帝拯救的方法就是:「你若口裡認耶穌為主,心裡信上帝叫他從死裡復活!」

 

    然而,這不是口裡說說或心裡想想的作為而已,而是要將自己的一生投入,因為上帝的拯救不是一時,而是永恆的;不是一時的激動,而是一輩子的跟隨!因為上帝是不離不棄的上帝,我們也要用不離不棄來回應上帝!

 

    當然信仰的持守,不只是我們自己的堅忍,更是上帝用他的大能大力來支持,使我們一直到主耶穌再來的時候!正如保羅所說:「就是照他在基督身上所運行的大能大力,使他從死裡復活,叫他在天上坐在自己的右邊,    遠超過一切執政的、掌權的、有能的、主治的,和一切有名的;不但是今世的,連來世的也都超過了。」(以弗所書1:20-21)

 

以斯帖記1章

      以斯帖記1:1-22   ,

以斯帖記1:1-22

 


1:1 亞哈隨魯作王,從印度直到古實,統管一百二十七省。
1:2
亞哈隨魯王在書珊城的宮登基;
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。
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。
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裡設擺筵席七日。
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;有金銀的床榻擺在紅、白、黃、黑玉石的鋪石地上。
1:7
用金器皿賜酒,器皿各有不同。御酒甚多,足顯王的厚意。
1:8
喝酒有例,不准勉強人,因王吩咐宮裡的一切臣宰,讓人各隨己意。
1:9
王后瓦實提在亞哈隨魯王的宮內也為婦女設擺筵席。
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,
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。
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。
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:
1:14
【併於上節】
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?」
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;
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。
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。
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。
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。」
1:21
王和眾首領都以米母干的話為美,王就照這話去行,
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。

 

This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,[a] the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush[b]: At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 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.

For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 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. 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. 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. By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10 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 Karkas— 11 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. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

13 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 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.

15 “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.”

16 Then Memukan 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. 17 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.’ 18 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.

19 “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. 20 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.”

21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.

 

**************

 

    以斯帖記一開始是一個歡樂的場面,亞哈隨魯即位作王時,國是非常強盛,領土非常廣大,可以說是一個很威嚴的王。

 

    然而這威威嚴的王,卻是遇見一件非常掃興或沒有面子的事。就是在位第三年,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。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。這日子滿了,又為所有住書珊城的大小人民在御園的院子裡設擺筵席七日。

 

    然而在這樣歡樂的日子裡,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,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。

 

    可是,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。而在這種狀況下,卻遇到一群「三寶」的大臣,還自以為聰明,竟然對亞哈隨魯王說:「王后瓦實提這事,不但得罪王,並且有害於王各省的臣民;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。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。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。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。」

 

     這段言論可謂振振有詞讓人覺得很有理由似的而王也傻傻地聽從了他們的建議,就照這話去行,還下詔到全國各地為了要維護丈夫的尊嚴!

 

    這或許聽來十分荒謬,但是上帝藉由這樣的事為以斯帖將來做王后的事來開場白,讓人覺得很有戲劇效果!

 

 

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  • 章伯斯簡介 - 奧斯瓦德·章伯斯 1874 年出生於蘇格蘭,在倫敦的皇家藝術學院和愛丁堡大學接受教育。在他 22 歲那年,他感到上帝在呼召他成為一位傳道人,雖然他很有文藝天賦。在都倫的一所很小的神學院學習和教書之後,他搬到了一個宣教機構,這個機構的宣教範圍覆蓋英國、美國和日本。1908 年,奧斯瓦德·章伯...
    2 個月前
  • 殉道者的靈性特徵 - *殉道者*(Martyr )指因信仰而遭受迫害,甚至付出生命代價的人。他們的生命和見證反映了深刻的屬靈特質,是基督徒忠誠與信心的極致表現。殉道者的靈性特徵不僅激勵教會,也向世人彰顯了基督的愛與救恩。以下是殉道者的一些主要靈性特徵。 *一、完全的忠誠與信心* *1. **忠於基督,無懼死亡* ...
    4 天前
  • 基督改變世界的工作 - 耶穌基督的工作不僅在個人層面帶來救恩,也徹底改變了整個世界的歷史進程、價值觀和人類的未來。祂的工作超越時間與空間,從祂的降生到祂的再來,都展現了對世界的深刻影響與轉化。以下我們將從 *靈性、文化、社會和未來的盼望*這四個層面探討基督如何改變世界。 *一、靈性層面:帶來救恩與和好* *1. *...
    3 週前
  • 詩篇第二篇介紹 - *詩篇第二篇* 是一首君王詩或彌賽亞詩,以上帝的權威和受膏者的統治為主題。它揭示了列國如何反抗上帝的旨意,並宣告上帝最終的勝利與受膏者的掌權。詩篇第二篇不僅針對以色列的歷史背景,也預表了耶穌基督作為彌賽亞的工作和國度。 *一、詩篇第二篇的結構分析* 詩篇第二篇可以分為四個段落,每段都呈現一種...
    2 週前