哈娜的祷告

哈娜祷告说:

“我的心因耶和华而欢喜,
我的力量因耶和华而倍增,
我的口向敌人夸耀,
我因耶和华的拯救而快乐。

“耶和华圣洁无比,
独一无二,
没有磐石像我们的上帝。
不要再骄横傲慢、口出狂言,
因为耶和华鉴察万事,
祂会按着人的行为施行审判。
勇士的弓被折断,
软弱的变为刚强。
素来丰衣足食的为糊口而当雇工,
本来食不果腹的却不再挨饿。
不育的妇人现在生了七个孩子,
儿女成群的妇人却子女尽失。
耶和华掌管生死,
祂使人进入坟墓,也使人起死回生。
贫穷富足在于祂,
卑微高贵也在于祂。
祂从灰尘中提拔穷苦的人,
从粪堆里擢升贫贱的人,
使他们与王子同坐,
得享尊荣。
大地的根基属于耶和华,
祂在上面建立了世界。
祂保护祂的圣民,
使恶人在黑暗中灭亡,
因为得胜不是靠人的勇力。
10 跟耶和华对抗的人必被击溃,
祂必从天上用雷击打他。
祂必审判天下,
赐力量给祂所立的君王,
使祂所膏立的人大有权柄。”

11 以利加拿返回了拉玛,小撒母耳却留在了示罗,在祭司以利的带领下事奉耶和华。

以利的恶子

12 以利的两个儿子为人邪恶,不敬畏耶和华, 13 对民众不守自己做祭司的职分。每当民众来献祭,还在煮祭肉的时候,他们的仆人便拿着三齿叉来, 14 从罐里、鼎里、釜里或锅里插肉,把插上来的祭肉据为己有。他们这样对待所有到示罗来的以色列人。 15 甚至在焚烧脂肪之前,祭司的仆人就来对献祭的人说:“把肉给祭司烤吧!他不要煮过的,只要生的。” 16 如果献祭的人答道:“要先焚烧脂肪,之后你可以随便拿。”仆人便会说:“不,你现在就给我,不然我就要抢了。” 17 在耶和华的眼中,这两个青年罪恶深重,因为他们轻视献给耶和华的祭物。

18 那时年少的撒母耳穿着细麻布的以弗得,在耶和华面前事奉。 19 他母亲每年都为他缝一件小外衣,在她和丈夫来献年祭时带给他。 20 以利祝福以利加拿和他妻子,对他说:“愿耶和华让你妻子再给你生儿育女,代替她求来并献给耶和华的孩子。”他们就回家去了。 21 耶和华眷顾哈娜,她又生了三个儿子和两个女儿。年少的撒母耳在耶和华面前渐渐长大。

22 以利年事已高,他听说两个儿子对待以色列人的恶行,以及他们与在会幕门口供职的妇女行淫的事后, 23 就对他们说:“你们为什么做这样的事?我从百姓口中听说了有关你们的恶行。 24 我儿啊,不可这样,我听到在耶和华的子民中流传着你们的坏名声。 25 人若得罪了别人,有上帝为他们调解。但人若得罪了耶和华,谁能为他调解呢?”然而,他们不肯听从父亲的话,因为耶和华决意要杀他们。

26 小撒母耳渐渐长大,深受耶和华和民众的喜爱。

预言以利家的遭祸

27 有一个上帝的仆人来见以利,对他说:“耶和华说,‘你的祖先在埃及被法老奴役的时候,我向他们显现。 28 我在以色列各支派中选出你的先祖做我的祭司,在我的祭坛上献祭烧香,穿着以弗得事奉我。我把以色列人献的火祭都赐给你先祖家。 29 你们为什么蔑视献给我的祭物和供品?你为什么把你的儿子看得比我还重要,拿我以色列子民所献的上好祭物来养肥自己?’

30 “所以,以色列的上帝耶和华宣告说,‘我曾经应许让你们家族永远做我的祭司。’但现在耶和华宣布,‘这绝不可能了。尊重我的,我必尊重他;藐视我的,必遭藐视。 31 看啊,时候将到,我要终结你和你家族的力量,你们家族必没有一个老人。 32 你必以羡慕的眼光看着我赐福以色列人,你家中却永远没有一个老人。 33 我不会把你家中的人从我坛前灭绝,但留下来的人必使你哭瞎双眼、伤心欲绝。你的子孙必中年夭亡。 34 你的两个儿子何弗尼和非尼哈必死在同一天,这就是我言出必行的记号。 35 我要为自己立一位忠心的祭司,他必照我的心意行事。我要赐福给他的后代,他必永远服侍我膏立的王。 36 那时,你家存留下来的人要在他面前下拜,乞讨银子和饼,并恳求说,请给我一个祭司的职位以便糊口!’”

哈拿之歌

哈拿祷告说:

“我的心因耶和华喜乐,

我的角因耶和华高举,

我的口向仇敌大大夸耀,

因为我以你的救恩为乐。

没有人像耶和华那么圣洁,

因为除你以外没有别的神,

也没有盘石像我们的 神。

你们不要多说骄傲的话,

也不要口出狂妄之言,

因为耶和华是全知的 神,

人的一切行为他都鉴察。

勇士的弓都被折断,

跌倒的人却以力量束腰。

饱足的,要劳碌觅食,

饥饿的,不再饥饿;

不能生育的,生了七个儿女,

有过许多儿女的,反倒衰微。

耶和华使人死,也使人活;

使人下阴间,也使人从阴间上来。

耶和华使人贫穷,也使人富足;

使人降卑,也使人升高。

他从灰尘中抬举贫寒的人,

从粪堆中提拔穷乏的人,

使他们与显贵同坐,

承受尊贵的座位。

大地的柱子属于耶和华,

他把全地安放在柱子上面。

耶和华必保护虔诚人的脚步,

却使恶人在黑暗中灭亡,

因为人得胜不是靠着力量。

10 至高者在天上打雷,

耶和华必打碎与他作对的人。

耶和华要审判地的四极,

却要赐力量给他所立的王,

高举他膏立之人的角。”

11 后来,以利加拿回拉玛自己的家去。那孩子却留在以利祭司面前事奉耶和华。

以利儿子的罪行

12 以利的两个儿子是无赖,不尊重耶和华, 13 也不理会当时祭司待人民的规矩。凡是有人献祭,在煮肉的时候,祭司的仆人就来,手里拿着三齿的叉, 14 把叉子插入煎盘里,或鼎里,或釜里,或锅里,叉子插上来的,祭司都拿去。所有到示罗来的以色列人,祭司都是这样待他们。 15 还有,在焚烧脂油以前,祭司的仆人就来,对献祭的人说:“把祭肉交给祭司烧烤吧,因为他不会向你要煮过的肉,单要生的。” 16 如果那人对仆人说:“必须先把脂油焚烧了,然后你才可以随意去拿。”他就说:“不可以,你现在就要给我,否则我就抢去。” 17 这样,那两个青年人在耶和华面前所犯的罪很大,因为他们藐视献给耶和华的祭物。

撒母耳在示罗事奉

18 那时,撒母耳还是个孩童,束着细麻布的以弗得,在耶和华面前事奉。 19 撒母耳的母亲每年为他做一件小外袍,她和丈夫一同上来献年祭的时候,就带来给他。 20 以利给以利加拿和他的妻子祝福,说:“愿耶和华从这妇人身上还给你后裔,代替你献给耶和华的孩子。”他们就回自己的地方去了。 21 耶和华眷顾哈拿,她再怀孕,先后生了三个儿子和两个女儿。那孩子撒母耳在耶和华面前,渐渐长大。

以利教训儿子

22 以利已经非常老了,听见自己的儿子对待以色列人的一切事,又听见他们与在会幕门口侍应的妇女同寝。 23 以利就对他们说:“你们为甚么作这些事?我亲自从众民那里听见了你们的恶行。 24 我儿啊,不要这样,因为我听见的消息很不好,你们使耶和华的子民违背律法。 25 如果有人得罪人,有官长(“官长”原文作“ 神”)惩罚他;如果有人得罪耶和华,有谁为他求情呢?”他们却不听父亲的话,因为耶和华有意要杀他们。 26 那孩子撒母耳的身量,耶和华和众人对他的喜爱,都不断增长。

预言以利家遭祸

27 有一位神人来见以利,对他说:“耶和华这样说:‘你父家在埃及法老家为奴的时候,我不是向他们显现吗? 28 我不是从以色列众支派中,选出他们作我的祭司,上我的坛烧香,在我面前穿以弗得吗?我不是把以色列人所献的火祭,都赐给了你的父家吗? 29 你们为甚么轻视(“轻视”直译是“踢”)我所吩咐要为我居所献上的祭牲和礼物呢?(《马索拉文本》本句意思不明确)你为甚么尊重你的儿子过于尊重我,用我子民以色列所献一切最好的礼物自肥呢?’ 30 因此,耶和华以色列的 神说:‘我曾说:你的家和你的父家,必永远行在我面前。’现在耶和华却说:‘我决不容你们这样行了,因为尊重我的,我必尊重他;藐视我的,必受到轻视。 31 日子快到了,我要砍下你和你父亲的膀臂,使你家中再没有有权势的长者。 32 我赐给以色列人的一切福分,你必像一个对头,以嫉妒的眼光来看;而在你的家中,必永远再没有有权势的长者。 33 我必不从我的祭坛那里灭绝你家的人,免得你的眼睛昏花,心灵忧伤,但所有你家中增添的人都必像世人一样死去(按照《七十士译本》和《死海古卷》,“像世人一样死去”作“死在人的刀下”)。 34 你的两个儿子何弗尼和非尼哈所要遭遇的事,是给你的一个证据:他们二人必同日而死。 35 我要为自己兴起一位忠心的祭司,他必依照我的心意行事;我要为他建立一个稳固的家,他一生必行在我的受膏者面前。 36 你家中剩下的人,都要来向他下拜;求一个银币,一块饼,也要说:求你容我参与祭司的职务,使我可以有点饼吃。’”

And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.

12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.

13 And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

18 But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home.

21 And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.

22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.

25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.

26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.

27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.

33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.

34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.