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13 可是他們很快就忘記了他的作為,

不仰望他的意旨,

14 反而在曠野大起貪慾,

在沙漠試探 神。

15  神把他們所求的賜給他們,

卻使災病臨到他們身上。

16 他們在營中嫉妒摩西,

以及歸耶和華為聖的亞倫。

17 於是地裂開,吞下了大坍,

把亞比蘭一夥的人也掩埋了。

18 有火在他們的黨羽中燃燒起來,

烈燄焚毀了惡人。

19 他們在何烈山做了牛犢,

敬拜鑄成的偶像。

20 這樣,他們用吃草的牛的像,

代替了他們的榮耀的 神。

21 他們竟忘記了拯救他們的 神;

他曾在埃及行了大事,

22 在含地行了奇事,在紅海邊行了可畏可懼的事。

23 所以他說要滅絕他們,

不是有他揀選的摩西,

在他面前站在破口上,

使他的怒氣轉消,恐怕他早已毀滅他們了。

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13 But they soon forgot(A) what he had done
    and did not wait for his plan to unfold.(B)
14 In the desert(C) they gave in to their craving;
    in the wilderness(D) they put God to the test.(E)
15 So he gave them(F) what they asked for,
    but sent a wasting disease(G) among them.

16 In the camp they grew envious(H) of Moses
    and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the Lord.
17 The earth opened(I) up and swallowed Dathan;(J)
    it buried the company of Abiram.(K)
18 Fire blazed(L) among their followers;
    a flame consumed the wicked.
19 At Horeb they made a calf(M)
    and worshiped an idol cast from metal.
20 They exchanged their glorious God(N)
    for an image of a bull, which eats grass.
21 They forgot the God(O) who saved them,
    who had done great things(P) in Egypt,
22 miracles in the land of Ham(Q)
    and awesome deeds(R) by the Red Sea.
23 So he said he would destroy(S) them—
    had not Moses, his chosen one,
stood in the breach(T) before him
    to keep his wrath from destroying them.

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13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord.

17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.

18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;

22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.

23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

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預言巴比倫毀滅

14 你們的救贖主、以色列的聖者、耶和華這樣說:

“因為你們的緣故,我已經派人到巴比倫去,

我要使所有的迦勒底人都像難民一樣下來,

都坐在他們素來自誇的船下來。

15 我就是耶和華,你們的聖者,

是以色列的創造主、你們的王。”

16 耶和華這樣說:

他在海中開了一條道,

在大水中闢了一條路;

17 他使戰車、馬匹、

軍兵和勇士都一同出來,

他們都躺下去,不能再起來;

他們都滅沒,好像燈火熄滅一樣。

18 “你們不要懷念先前的事,

也不要思念古時的事。

 神作一件新事

19 “看哪!我要作一件新的事;

現在它要發生了,

難道你們還不知道嗎?

我要在曠野開一條道路,

在荒地開挖江河。

20 野地的走獸必尊重我,

野狗和鴕鳥也必這樣,

因為我使曠野有水,

使荒地有江河,

好使我揀選的子民有水喝,

21 就是我為自己所造的子民,

好使他們述說讚美我的話。

22 然而,雅各啊!你並沒有呼求我。

以色列啊!你竟厭煩我。

23 作燔祭用的羊,你沒有帶來給我;

也沒有用你的祭物來尊敬我;

我沒有因獻供物使你勞累;

也沒有因獻乳香使你厭煩。

24 你沒有用銀子為我買菖蒲,

也沒有用祭物的脂肪使我飽足;

相反地,你用你的罪使我勞累,

你用你的罪孽使我厭煩。

 神赦罪之恩

25 “唯有我為自己的緣故,塗抹你的過犯,

我也不再記念你的罪。

26 你可以提醒我,我們可以一起辯論;

你儘管細說案情,好使你自顯為義。

27 你的祖先犯了罪,

你的代表背叛了我。

28 所以我要辱沒聖所裡的領袖,

使雅各遭受毀滅,使以色列被凌辱。”

以色列人將蒙賜福

44 “但現在,我的僕人雅各,

我所揀選的以色列啊!你要聽。

那創造你,從母胎裡就塑造了你,

又要幫助你的耶和華這樣說:

我的僕人雅各啊!

我所揀選的耶書崙啊!你不要懼怕。

因為我要把水澆灌乾渴之處,

把河水澆灌乾旱之地;

我必把我的靈澆灌你的後裔,

把我的福降給你的子孫。

他們要從草中生長起來,

像溪水旁的柳樹。

這個必說:‘我是屬耶和華的’;

那個也必以雅各的名稱呼自己;

另一個必親手寫上‘我是屬耶和華的’,

並且要以以色列的名字替自己命名。”

 神是獨一真神

耶和華以色列的王,

以色列的救贖主、萬軍之耶和華這樣說:

“我是首先的,我是末後的;

除我以外,再沒有真神。

誰像我呢?讓他宣告,

讓他述說,又在我面前陳明吧!

自從我設立古時的子民,

未來的事和將要發生的事,

讓他們把它們述說出來吧!

你們不要驚惶,也不要懼怕。

我不是老早就說了給你們聽,告訴了你們嗎?

你們就是我的見證人。

除我以外,還有真神嗎?

沒有別的磐石;

我一個也不知道。”

製造偶像者的愚昧

製造偶像的人,盡都是虛空的,

他們所喜愛的,都沒有益處。

他們的見證人,一無所見,

一無所知,以致他們蒙羞。

10 誰製造神像,或鑄造偶像,

不想得到益處呢?

11 看哪!所有與它同夥的都必蒙羞;

工匠也不過是人罷了。 

讓他們都集合起來,都站立起來;

讓他們都懼怕,都一同蒙羞。

12 鐵匠先用工具在鐵上雕刻,

然後在火炭中加工,

再用鎚子把鐵錘成形狀,

用他有力的膀臂錘成。

他若飢餓,就沒有力量;

他若不喝水,就疲乏。

13 木匠拉線,

用筆畫出輪廓,

用鉋子鉋平,

用圓規畫出模樣,

做成人的形狀,

有人一般的美麗,好住在廟裡。

14 他為自己砍伐香柏樹,

或選取榆樹和橡樹,

讓它在樹林中長起來;

他栽種松樹,讓雨水使它長大。

15 人可以用這樹作燃料,

可以拿來生火取暖,

又可以燒著烤餅;

人竟然用它做神像敬拜,

他做了雕刻的偶像,又向它叩拜。

16 他把木頭的一半放在火裡燃燒;

在上面烤肉;

吃了烤肉,並且吃飽了,

就自己烤火取暖,說:

“哈哈!我暖和了,我看見火了。”

17 他用剩下來的一半做了一個神像,

就是他雕刻的偶像,

他向它俯伏,向它敬拜,

又向它禱告,說:

“求你救我,因為你是我的神。”

18 他們並不知道,也不明白;

因為耶和華閉住他們的眼睛,使他們不能看見,

塞住他們的心,使他們不能明白。

19 沒有人細心思想,

也沒有人有知識有聰明說:

“我把木頭的一半放在火裡燃燒,

我也在炭火上烘過餅,

烤過肉吃,

剩下的,我卻用來做了一個可憎之物,

我要向木頭叩拜嗎?”

20 他所追求的只是灰塵,被迷惑了的心使他偏離正道了;

他不能救自己,也不會說:

“在我的右手中不是有個假神嗎?”

耶和華救贖之恩

21 雅各和以色列啊!要記念這些話,

因為你是我的僕人。

我造了你,是要你作我的僕人;

以色列啊!你必不會被我忘記。

22 我塗抹了你的過犯,像密雲消散;

我塗抹了你的罪惡,如薄雲滅沒,

你當歸向我,因為我救贖了你。

23 諸天啊!你們要歡呼,因為耶和華作成了這事。

地的深處啊!你們要吶喊。

群山啊!你們要發聲歡呼。

樹林和其中所有的樹啊!

你們都當這樣。

因為耶和華救贖了雅各,

他要藉著以色列使自己得榮耀。

24 你的救贖主,就是那在母胎中就造了你的耶和華這樣說:

“我耶和華是創造萬物的,

我是獨自展開諸天,

鋪張大地的。

25 我使說假話者的兆頭失效,

使占卜者都變成愚昧人;

我使有智慧的人後退,

使他們的知識變為愚拙。

26 我使我僕人的話實現,

使我使者的謀算成就。

我對耶路撒冷說:‘你必有人居住。’

對猶大的城鎮說:‘你們要再被建造起來,

至於其中的廢墟,我必重建它們。’

27 我對深淵說:‘你乾了吧,

我必使你的江河乾涸!’

28 我對古列說:‘我的牧人;

他必成就我所喜悅的一切。’

他要對耶路撒冷說:‘你必被重建起來!’

他必對聖殿說:‘你的根基要奠定!’”

耶和華興起古列

45 “我耶和華所膏立的古列,

我緊握著他的右手,

使列國降服在他面前;

我也鬆開列王的腰帶;

我使門戶在他面前敞開,使城門不得關閉;耶和華對古列這樣說:

我必親自領導你,把高低不平的路修平;

銅門,我必打破;鐵門,我必砍斷。

我必把隱藏的寶物

和在隱密處的財寶賜給你,

使你知道我就是按著你的名呼召了你的耶和華,

以色列的 神。

因我的僕人雅各

和我所揀選的以色列的緣故,

我按著你的名呼召了你;

你雖然不認識我,

我卻給你這個尊貴的名號。

耶和華以外沒有真神

“我是耶和華,再沒有別的神了;

除了我以外,並沒有真神;

你雖然不認識我,我必堅固你,

為要叫從日出之地到日落之地的人都知道,

除了我以外,沒有真神;

我是耶和華,再沒有別的神了。

我造光,也造黑暗;

我賜平安,也降災禍;

我耶和華是造成這一切事的。

諸天啊!你們要從上滴下公義,

讓雲層降下公義。

讓大地裂開,生出救恩,

使公義一同生長,

是我耶和華創造了這事。

那與他的創造主爭論的,有禍了!

他不過是地上瓦片中的一片瓦片,

泥土能對陶匠說:‘你在作甚麼?’

或你所作成的說:‘他沒有手’嗎?

10 那對父親說:‘你生的是甚麼’,

或對母親說:‘你產的是甚麼’的,有禍了!”

God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness

14 This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer,(A) the Holy One(B) of Israel:
“For your sake I will send to Babylon
    and bring down as fugitives(C) all the Babylonians,[a](D)
    in the ships in which they took pride.
15 I am the Lord,(E) your Holy One,
    Israel’s Creator,(F) your King.(G)

16 This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters,(H)
17 who drew out(I) the chariots and horses,(J)
    the army and reinforcements together,(K)
and they lay(L) there, never to rise again,
    extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:(M)
18 “Forget the former things;(N)
    do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!(O)
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness(P)
    and streams in the wasteland.(Q)
20 The wild animals(R) honor me,
    the jackals(S) and the owls,
because I provide water(T) in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21     the people I formed(U) for myself(V)
    that they may proclaim my praise.(W)

22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
    you have not wearied(X) yourselves for[b] me, Israel.(Y)
23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,(Z)
    nor honored(AA) me with your sacrifices.(AB)
I have not burdened(AC) you with grain offerings
    nor wearied you with demands(AD) for incense.(AE)
24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus(AF) for me,
    or lavished on me the fat(AG) of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins
    and wearied(AH) me with your offenses.(AI)

25 “I, even I, am he who blots out
    your transgressions,(AJ) for my own sake,(AK)
    and remembers your sins(AL) no more.(AM)
26 Review the past for me,
    let us argue the matter together;(AN)
    state the case(AO) for your innocence.
27 Your first father(AP) sinned;
    those I sent to teach(AQ) you rebelled(AR) against me.
28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple;
    I consigned Jacob to destruction[c](AS)
    and Israel to scorn.(AT)

Israel the Chosen

44 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant,(AU)
    Israel, whom I have chosen.(AV)
This is what the Lord says—
    he who made(AW) you, who formed you in the womb,(AX)
    and who will help(AY) you:
Do not be afraid,(AZ) Jacob, my servant,(BA)
    Jeshurun,[d](BB) whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water(BC) on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;(BD)
I will pour out my Spirit(BE) on your offspring,
    and my blessing(BF) on your descendants.(BG)
They will spring up like grass(BH) in a meadow,
    like poplar trees(BI) by flowing streams.(BJ)
Some will say, ‘I belong(BK) to the Lord’;
    others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand,(BL) ‘The Lord’s,’(BM)
    and will take the name Israel.

The Lord, Not Idols

“This is what the Lord says—
    Israel’s King(BN) and Redeemer,(BO) the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;(BP)
    apart from me there is no God.(BQ)
Who then is like me?(BR) Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
    and what is yet to come—
    yes, let them foretell(BS) what will come.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
    Did I not proclaim(BT) this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God(BU) besides me?
    No, there is no other Rock;(BV) I know not one.”

All who make idols(BW) are nothing,
    and the things they treasure are worthless.(BX)
Those who would speak up for them are blind;(BY)
    they are ignorant, to their own shame.(BZ)
10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol,(CA)
    which can profit nothing?(CB)
11 People who do that will be put to shame;(CC)
    such craftsmen are only human beings.
Let them all come together and take their stand;
    they will be brought down to terror and shame.(CD)

12 The blacksmith(CE) takes a tool
    and works with it in the coals;
he shapes an idol with hammers,
    he forges it with the might of his arm.(CF)
He gets hungry and loses his strength;
    he drinks no water and grows faint.(CG)
13 The carpenter(CH) measures with a line
    and makes an outline with a marker;
he roughs it out with chisels
    and marks it with compasses.
He shapes it in human form,(CI)
    human form in all its glory,
    that it may dwell in a shrine.(CJ)
14 He cut down cedars,
    or perhaps took a cypress or oak.
He let it grow among the trees of the forest,
    or planted a pine,(CK) and the rain made it grow.
15 It is used as fuel(CL) for burning;
    some of it he takes and warms himself,
    he kindles a fire and bakes bread.
But he also fashions a god and worships(CM) it;
    he makes an idol and bows(CN) down to it.
16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire;
    over it he prepares his meal,
    he roasts his meat and eats his fill.
He also warms himself and says,
    “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.(CO)
17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
    he bows down to it and worships.(CP)
He prays(CQ) to it and says,
    “Save(CR) me! You are my god!”
18 They know nothing, they understand(CS) nothing;
    their eyes(CT) are plastered over so they cannot see,
    and their minds closed so they cannot understand.
19 No one stops to think,
    no one has the knowledge or understanding(CU) to say,
“Half of it I used for fuel;(CV)
    I even baked bread over its coals,
    I roasted meat and I ate.
Shall I make a detestable(CW) thing from what is left?
    Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”(CX)
20 Such a person feeds on ashes;(CY) a deluded(CZ) heart misleads him;
    he cannot save himself, or say,
    “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?(DA)

21 “Remember(DB) these things, Jacob,
    for you, Israel, are my servant.(DC)
I have made you, you are my servant;(DD)
    Israel, I will not forget you.(DE)
22 I have swept away(DF) your offenses like a cloud,
    your sins like the morning mist.
Return(DG) to me,
    for I have redeemed(DH) you.”

23 Sing for joy,(DI) you heavens, for the Lord has done this;
    shout aloud, you earth(DJ) beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,(DK)
    you forests and all your trees,(DL)
for the Lord has redeemed(DM) Jacob,
    he displays his glory(DN) in Israel.

Jerusalem to Be Inhabited

24 “This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer,(DO) who formed(DP) you in the womb:(DQ)

I am the Lord,
    the Maker of all things,
    who stretches out the heavens,(DR)
    who spreads out the earth(DS) by myself,
25 who foils(DT) the signs of false prophets
    and makes fools of diviners,(DU)
who overthrows the learning of the wise(DV)
    and turns it into nonsense,(DW)
26 who carries out the words(DX) of his servants
    and fulfills(DY) the predictions of his messengers,

who says of Jerusalem,(DZ) ‘It shall be inhabited,’
    of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’
    and of their ruins,(EA) ‘I will restore them,’(EB)
27 who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry,
    and I will dry up(EC) your streams,’
28 who says of Cyrus,(ED) ‘He is my shepherd
    and will accomplish all that I please;
he will say of Jerusalem,(EE) “Let it be rebuilt,”
    and of the temple,(EF) “Let its foundations(EG) be laid.”’

45 “This is what the Lord says to his anointed,(EH)
    to Cyrus,(EI) whose right hand I take hold(EJ) of
to subdue nations(EK) before him
    and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him
    so that gates will not be shut:
I will go before you(EL)
    and will level(EM) the mountains[e];
I will break down gates(EN) of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron.(EO)
I will give you hidden treasures,(EP)
    riches stored in secret places,(EQ)
so that you may know(ER) that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who summons you by name.(ES)
For the sake of Jacob my servant,(ET)
    of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
    and bestow on you a title of honor,
    though you do not acknowledge(EU) me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;(EV)
    apart from me there is no God.(EW)
I will strengthen you,(EX)
    though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
    to the place of its setting(EY)
people may know(EZ) there is none besides me.(FA)
    I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I form the light and create darkness,(FB)
    I bring prosperity and create disaster;(FC)
    I, the Lord, do all these things.

“You heavens above, rain(FD) down my righteousness;(FE)
    let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
    let salvation(FF) spring up,
let righteousness flourish with it;
    I, the Lord, have created it.

“Woe to those who quarrel(FG) with their Maker,(FH)
    those who are nothing but potsherds(FI)
    among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,(FJ)
    ‘What are you making?’(FK)
Does your work say,
    ‘The potter has no hands’?(FL)
10 Woe to the one who says to a father,
    ‘What have you begotten?’
or to a mother,
    ‘What have you brought to birth?’

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 43:14 Or Chaldeans
  2. Isaiah 43:22 Or Jacob; / surely you have grown weary of
  3. Isaiah 43:28 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
  4. Isaiah 44:2 Jeshurun means the upright one, that is, Israel.
  5. Isaiah 45:2 Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint; the meaning of the word in the Masoretic Text is uncertain.

14 Thus saith the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

16 Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

22 But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

27 Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.

28 Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.

44 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:

Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.

One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

10 Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

12 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.

15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

19 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

23 Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

45 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.

Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?

保羅把福音傳給外族人

因此,我這為你們外族人的緣故,作了為基督耶穌被囚禁的保羅,為你們祈求─ 想必你們聽過 神恩惠的計劃,他為你們的緣故賜恩給我, 藉著啟示使我可以知道這奧祕,就像我以前在信中略略提過的。 你們讀了,就可以知道我深深地明白基督的奧祕。 這奧祕在以前的世代並沒有讓世人知道,不像現在藉著聖靈啟示了聖使徒和先知那樣。 這奧祕就是外族人在基督耶穌裡,藉著福音可以同作後嗣,同為一體,同蒙應許。 我作了福音的僕役,是照著 神的恩賜(“恩賜”或譯:“恩賞”);這恩賜是按著他大能的作為賜給我的。 我本來比聖徒中最小的還小, 神還是賜給我這恩典,要我把基督那測不透的豐富傳給外族人, 並且使眾人明白那奧祕的救世計劃是甚麼(這奧祕是歷代以來隱藏在創造萬有的 神裡面的), 10 為了要使天上執政的和掌權的,現在藉著教會都可以知道 神各樣的智慧。 11 這都是照著 神在我們主基督耶穌裡所成就的永恆的旨意。 12 我們因信基督,就在他裡面坦然無懼,滿有把握地進到 神面前。 13 因此,我懇求你們,不要因著我為你們所受的苦難而沮喪,這原是你們的光榮。

基督的愛多麼長闊高深

14 因此,我在父面前屈膝, 15 (天上地上所有的家族都是由他命名的,) 16 求他按著他榮耀的豐盛,藉著他的靈,用大能使你們內在的人剛強起來, 17 使基督藉著你們的信,住在你們心裡,使你們既然在愛中扎根建基, 18 就能和眾聖徒一同領悟基督的愛是多麼的長闊高深, 19 並且知道他的愛是超過人所能理解的,使你們被充滿,得著 神的一切豐盛。

20 願榮耀歸給 神,就是歸給那能照著運行在我們裡面的大能,充充足足地成就一切,超過我們所求所想的。 21 願榮耀在教會中和基督耶穌裡歸給他,直到萬代,永世無窮。阿們。

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God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner(A) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me(B) for you, that is, the mystery(C) made known to me by revelation,(D) as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight(E) into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.(F) This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs(G) together with Israel, members together of one body,(H) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.(I)

I became a servant of this gospel(J) by the gift of God’s grace given me(K) through the working of his power.(L) Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(M) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(N) the boundless riches of Christ,(O) and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,(P) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God(Q) should be made known(R) to the rulers and authorities(S) in the heavenly realms,(T) 11 according to his eternal purpose(U) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God(V) with freedom and confidence.(W) 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel(X) before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches(Y) he may strengthen you with power(Z) through his Spirit in your inner being,(AA) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(AB) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(AC) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(AD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(AE) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(AF)—that you may be filled(AG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(AH)

20 Now to him who is able(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(AJ) or imagine, according to his power(AK) that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(AL)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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得智慧必得善報和盼望

24 你不要嫉妒惡人,

也不要祈望與他們共處。

因為他們的心圖謀強暴,

他們的嘴唇講論奸惡。

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Saying 20

24 Do not envy(A) the wicked,
    do not desire their company;
for their hearts plot violence,(B)
    and their lips talk about making trouble.(C)

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24 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

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