Kansikuva näyttelystä 聽聽《玉苒廈之書》–– 第四部分

聽聽《玉苒廈之書》–– 第四部分

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Lisää 聽聽《玉苒廈之書》–– 第四部分

《玉苒廈之書》(The Urantia Book)是由玉苒廈基金會(https://www.urantia.org/)於1955年出版的著作,它呈現了人類的起源、歷史和天命。這本書回答了有關神、宇宙、地球的歷史和未來的問題,並包含了對耶穌的生活和教導的敘述。這本書為我們提供了新的靈性真理,以及與神建立個人關係的途徑。它描述了人類無盡的天命,教導我們,活出信仰是實現個人靈性進展和永恆續存的關鍵。它還描述了神對個體、人類社會和整個宇宙的漸進性進化計劃。 (註:玉苒廈(Urantia)是我們地球在宇宙中的名字) 《玉苒廈之書》分成前言和四大部分: 前言 I. 中央和超級宇宙(第1篇到第31篇) II. 地方宇宙(第32篇到第56篇) III. 玉苒廈的歷史(第57篇到第119篇) IV. 耶穌的生平與教導(第120篇到第196篇) ******* 這個 podcast 頻道主要是將第四部分部分翻成中文,並藉由文字轉語音(Text-To-Speech)進而將翻譯內容讀給大家聽。(因為是透過文字轉語音,所以可能有些破音字讀音並不正確) 此外,因為中文翻譯可能有時會進行微調,有興趣也可到網站參考最新內容(https://urantiatalk.com/urantia-book/part4/) 歡迎收聽~

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jakson 第125篇 耶穌在耶路撒冷 kansikuva

第125篇 耶穌在耶路撒冷

Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/聽聽《玉苒廈之書》––-第四部分/id1758596036] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/27Q4DX940tDz9Xpk9zdBZN?si=35cbb00eb95a4a95] Youtube [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_YC5HbVczI-JnOl5e6d5sg6givfXh7QA&si=u8iPj8b7WlXM3VGG] Paper 125 Jesus at Jerusalem 第125篇 耶穌在耶路撒冷 125:0.1 (1377.1) NO INCIDENT in all Jesus’ eventful earth career was more engaging, more humanly thrilling, than this, his first remembered visit to Jerusalem. He was especially stimulated by the experience of attending the temple discussions by himself, and it long stood out in his memory as the great event of his later childhood and early youth. This was his first opportunity to enjoy a few days of independent living, the exhilaration of going and coming without restraint and restrictions. This brief period of undirected living, during the week following the Passover, was the first complete freedom from responsibility he had ever enjoyed. And it was many years subsequent to this before he again had a like period of freedom from all sense of responsibility, even for a short time. 125:0.1 (1377.1) 在耶穌整個多采多姿的世間生涯中,沒有任何事件比他首次記憶中的拜訪耶路撒冷更引人入勝,更令人激動。他特別因爲親自參加聖殿討論的經歷而受到激勵,這作為他後期童年和早期青年時期中的重大事件,長期以來在其記憶中佔有重要地位。這是他首次有機會享有幾天的獨立生活,無拘無束自由往來的興奮。在逾越節後的這一周裡,這短暫不受指導的生活期間,是他第一次享有免於任何責任的自由。在這之後的許多年,他才再次擁有類似一段免於所有責任的時期,即使是短暫的時間。 125:0.2 (1377.2) Women seldom went to the Passover feast at Jerusalem; they were not required to be present. Jesus, however, virtually refused to go unless his mother would accompany them. And when his mother decided to go, many other Nazareth women were led to make the journey, so that the Passover company contained the largest number of women, in proportion to men, ever to go up to the Passover from Nazareth. Ever and anon, on the way to Jerusalem, they chanted the one hundred and thirtieth Psalm. 125:0.2 (1377.2) 婦女很少前往耶路撒冷參加逾越節盛典;她們不需要出席。然而,耶穌幾乎拒絕前往,除非他母親陪同他們一起。而當他母親決定前往時,許多其他拿撒勒婦女也跟隨踏上旅程,因此這個逾越節隊伍包含了有史以來從拿撒勒前往逾越節最多數目的婦女,與男性的比例相稱。在前往耶路撒冷的路上,他們不時唱誦《詩篇》第一百三十篇。 125:0.3 (1377.3) From the time they left Nazareth until they reached the summit of the Mount of Olives, Jesus experienced one long stress of expectant anticipation. All through a joyful childhood he had reverently heard of Jerusalem and its temple; now he was soon to behold them in reality. From the Mount of Olives and from the outside, on closer inspection, the temple had been all and more than Jesus had expected; but when he once entered its sacred portals, the great disillusionment began. 125:0.3 (1377.3) 從他們離開拿撒勒直到他們抵達橄欖山的山頂,耶穌經歷了一段漫長期待的盼望之壓力。在整個快樂的童年時期,他都虔誠地聽說過耶路撒冷及其聖殿;現在他即將在現實中看到它們。從橄欖山和從外部仔細察看,聖殿都超出耶穌的預期;但當他一旦進入它的神聖入口,巨大的幻滅就開始了。 125:0.4 (1377.4) In company with his parents Jesus passed through the temple precincts on his way to join that group of new sons of the law who were about to be consecrated as citizens of Israel. He was a little disappointed by the general demeanor of the temple throngs, but the first great shock of the day came when his mother took leave of them on her way to the women’s gallery. It had never occurred to Jesus that his mother was not to accompany him to the consecration ceremonies, and he was thoroughly indignant that she was made to suffer from such unjust discrimination. While he strongly resented this, aside from a few remarks of protest to his father, he said nothing. But he thought, and thought deeply, as his questions to the scribes and teachers a week later disclosed. 125:0.4 (1377.4) 耶穌在他父母陪伴下穿過了聖殿區域,前往加入那群即將被聖化為以色列公民的新律法之子。他對聖殿人群的普遍舉止感到有些失望,但當天的第一個巨大震驚是當他母親離開他們前往女性樓座時。耶穌從沒想到他母親不會陪伴他參加聖化典禮,他對於她遭受如此不公的歧視徹底感到憤概。儘管他十分憎惡這一點,除了少許向他父親抗議的言辭外,他什麼也沒說。但他思考,深深地思考著,正如他一周後向文士和教師們提出的問題所透露出來的那樣。 125:0.5 (1377.5) He passed through the consecration rituals but was disappointed by their perfunctory and routine natures. He missed that personal interest which characterized the ceremonies of the synagogue at Nazareth. He then returned to greet his mother and prepared to accompany his father on his first trip about the temple and its various courts, galleries, and corridors. The temple precincts could accommodate over two hundred thousand worshipers at one time, and while the vastness of these buildings—in comparison with any he had ever seen—greatly impressed his mind, he was more intrigued by the contemplation of the spiritual significance of the temple ceremonies and their associated worship. 125:0.5 (1377.5) 他通過了聖化儀式,但卻對他們的敷衍和例行公事感到失望。他懷念那種在拿撒勒猶太會堂典禮上所特有的個人興趣。然後,他返回迎接他的母親,並準備陪同他的父親第一次參觀聖殿及其各種庭院、樓座和走廊。聖殿區域能夠一次容納超過二十萬名敬拜者,儘管這些建築物之巨大 ——與他曾見過的任何建築物相比——給他心中留下極為深刻的印象,但他對聖殿典禮及其相關敬拜之靈性意義的沉思更感興趣。 125:0.6 (1378.1) Though many of the temple rituals very touchingly impressed his sense of the beautiful and the symbolic, he was always disappointed by the explanation of the real meanings of these ceremonies which his parents would offer in answer to his many searching inquiries. Jesus simply would not accept explanations of worship and religious devotion which involved belief in the wrath of God or the anger of the Almighty. In further discussion of these questions, after the conclusion of the temple visit, when his father became mildly insistent that he acknowledge acceptance of the orthodox Jewish beliefs, Jesus turned suddenly upon his parents and, looking appealingly into the eyes of his father, said: “My father, it cannot be true—the Father in heaven cannot so regard his erring children on earth. The heavenly Father cannot love his children less than you love me. And I well know, no matter what unwise thing I might do, you would never pour out wrath upon me nor vent anger against me. If you, my earthly father, possess such human reflections of the Divine, how much more must the heavenly Father be filled with goodness and overflowing with mercy. I refuse to believe that my Father in heaven loves me less than my father on earth.” 125:0.6 (1378.1) 雖然許多聖殿儀式深深打動了他對於美和象徵性的感受,但對於他的父母回答他許多敏銳詢問時所提出這些典禮真正含義的解釋,他總是感到失望。對於崇拜和宗教虔誠的解釋若涉及神之暴怒和全能者之憤怒的信仰,耶穌決不接受。在聖殿訪問結束後,進一步討論這些問題時,當他父親溫和地堅持他承認接受正統猶太教信仰時,耶穌突然轉向他父母,懇求地看著他父親的眼睛,說道:「我的父親,這不可能是真的——在天上的『父』不可能如此看待他世上犯錯的孩子。天父愛他的孩子不可能比你愛我少。我深知,無論我做了什麼不明智的事,你決不會將暴怒宣洩在我身上,也不會向我發怒。我的世間父親,如果你擁有這種具備『神性』(Divine)的人性反映,那麼天父並定充滿更多的良善,洋溢著更多的慈悲。我拒絕相信我天上的『父』愛我不如我世上的父。 」 125:0.7 (1378.2) When Joseph and Mary heard these words of their first-born son, they held their peace. And never again did they seek to change his mind about the love of God and the mercifulness of the Father in heaven. 125:0.7 (1378.2) 當約瑟夫和瑪利亞聽到他們長子的這些話時,他們保持平靜。他們再也沒有試圖改變他關於神之愛和在天上的「父」之慈悲的看法。 1. Jesus Views the Temple 1. 耶穌觀看聖殿 125:1.1 (1378.3) Everywhere Jesus went throughout the temple courts, he was shocked and sickened by the spirit of irreverence which he observed. He deemed the conduct of the temple throngs to be inconsistent with their presence in “his Father’s house.” But he received the shock of his young life when his father escorted him into the court of the gentiles with its noisy jargon, loud talking and cursing, mingled indiscriminately with the bleating of sheep and the babble of noises which betrayed the presence of the money-changers and the vendors of sacrificial animals and sundry other commercial commodities. 125:1.1 (1378.3) 耶穌在整個聖殿庭院裡所到之處,他都對他所觀察到不敬的精神感到震驚和厭惡。他認為聖殿人群的行為與他們身處於「他『父』的殿」格格不入。但當他父親陪同他進入外邦人庭院時,伴隨其嘈雜的行話、大聲談論和咒罵,夾雜著綿羊的叫聲和顯示出貨幣兌換商和祭祀動物及各種其它商品供應商之存在的喧鬧嘈雜聲,他的年輕生命受到了衝擊。 125:1.2 (1378.4) But most of all was his sense of propriety outraged by the sight of the frivolous courtesans parading about within this precinct of the temple, just such painted women as he had so recently seen when on a visit to Sepphoris. This profanation of the temple fully aroused all his youthful indignation, and he did not hesitate to express himself freely to Joseph. 125:1.2 (1378.4) 但最重要的是,當看到輕佻的煙花女子在這聖殿區域中招搖而行,就像他最近訪問塞弗瑞斯所看到的那些塗脂抹粉的女人一樣時,他的禮儀感遭受冒犯。這種對聖殿的褻瀆完全激起了所有他的年輕憤慨,他毫不猶豫向約瑟夫坦率地表達自己的看法。 125:1.3 (1378.5) Jesus admired the sentiment and service of the temple, but he was shocked by the spiritual ugliness which he beheld on the faces of so many of the unthinking worshipers. 125:1.3 (1378.5) 耶穌欽佩聖殿所帶來的情感和儀式,但他對於在如此多欠缺思考的崇拜者臉上所看到的精神上的醜陋感到震驚。 125:1.4 (1378.6) They now passed down to the priests’ court beneath the rock ledge in front of the temple, where the altar stood, to observe the killing of the droves of animals and the washing away of the blood from the hands of the officiating slaughter priests at the bronze fountain. The bloodstained pavement, the gory hands of the priests, and the sounds of the dying animals were more than this nature-loving lad could stand. The terrible sight sickened this boy of Nazareth; he clutched his father’s arm and begged to be taken away. They walked back through the court of the gentiles, and even the coarse laughter and profane jesting which he there heard were a relief from the sights he had just beheld. 125:1.4 (1378.6) 現在他們往下走,來到祭壇所在的聖殿前岩石壁架下的祭司庭園,看到成群動物被殺,以及主禮的屠宰祭司在青銅噴水池旁洗掉手上的鮮血。血染的路面,祭司們血淋淋的手,以及垂死動物的聲音,超出了這熱愛自然的小男孩所能忍受的程度。這可怕的景象令這個拿撒勒男孩感到厭惡;他抓住他父親的手臂請求被帶離。他們往回走穿過外邦人的庭院,甚至他在那裡聽到的粗俗笑聲和褻瀆玩笑也是對他剛剛所看到景象的一種緩解。 125:1.5 (1379.1) Joseph saw how his son had sickened at the sight of the temple rites and wisely led him around to view the “Gate Beautiful,” the artistic gate made of Corinthian bronze. But Jesus had had enough for his first visit at the temple. They returned to the upper court for Mary and walked about in the open air and away from the crowds for an hour, viewing the Asmonean palace, the stately home of Herod, and the tower of the Roman guards. During this stroll Joseph explained to Jesus that only the inhabitants of Jerusalem were permitted to witness the daily sacrifices in the temple, and that the dwellers in Galilee came up only three times a year to participate in the temple worship: at the Passover, at the feast of Pentecost (seven weeks after Passover), and at the feast of tabernacles in October. These feasts were established by Moses. They then discussed the two later established feasts of the dedication and of Purim. Afterward they went to their lodgings and made ready for the celebration of the Passover. 125:1.5 (1379.1) 約瑟夫看到他兒子在目睹聖殿儀式時是如此厭惡,便明智地帶他繞過去看「美門」,由科林斯青銅製成的藝術之門。不過耶穌對他第一次的聖殿之行已經受夠了。他們回到上院找到瑪利亞,在戶外四處走走,遠離人群大約一小時,觀看希律王住所——哈斯蒙尼宮殿,以及羅馬守衛者的塔樓。在此散步期間,約瑟夫向耶穌解釋了只有耶路撒冷居民才被允許見證聖殿的日常獻祭,加利利的居民一年只前來三次參與聖殿敬拜:在逾越節,在五旬節(逾越節後七周),以及在十月的住棚節。這些節期是由摩西所設立的。然後,他們討論了修殿節和普林節兩個後來建立的節期。之後,他們回到他們的住處,準備慶祝逾越節。 2. Jesus and the Passover 2. 耶穌與逾越節 125:2.1 (1379.2) Five Nazareth families were guests of, or associates with, the family of Simon of Bethany in the celebration of the Passover, Simon having purchased the paschal lamb for the company. It was the slaughter of these lambs in such enormous numbers that had so affected Jesus on his temple visit. It had been the plan to eat the Passover with Mary’s relatives, but Jesus persuaded his parents to accept the invitation to go to Bethany. 125:2.1 (1379.2) 在逾越節的慶祝中,有五個拿撒勒家庭是伯大尼西門家的賓客或是與西門家有關連,西門已經為客人購買了逾越節的羔羊。正是這些羔羊被如此大量的屠宰,對耶穌的聖殿之行產生了如此大的影響。原本的計劃是與瑪利亞的親戚們一起吃逾越節晚餐,但耶穌說服了他父母接受邀請前往伯大尼。 125:2.2 (1379.3) That night they assembled for the Passover rites, eating the roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Jesus, being a new son of the covenant, was asked to recount the origin of the Passover, and this he well did, but he somewhat disconcerted his parents by the inclusion of numerous remarks mildly reflecting the impressions made on his youthful but thoughtful mind by the things which he had so recently seen and heard. This was the beginning of the seven-day ceremonies of the feast of the Passover. 125:2.2 (1379.3) 那晚,他們聚在一起進行逾越節的儀式,吃烤肉配無酵餅和苦菜。作為一個新的聖約之子,耶穌被要求講述逾越節起源,這個他做得很好,不過他有點令他父母感到尷尬,因爲他在講述中參雜了許多言論,這些言論溫和地反映了他最近所見所聞之事在他年輕但深思熟慮的心智中所造成的印象。這是逾越節七天慶典的開始。 125:2.3 (1379.4) Even at this early date, though he said nothing about such matters to his parents, Jesus had begun to turn over in his mind the propriety of celebrating the Passover without the slaughtered lamb. He felt assured in his own mind that the Father in heaven was not pleased with this spectacle of sacrificial offerings, and as the years passed, he became increasingly determined someday to establish the celebration of a bloodless Passover. 125:2.3 (1379.4) 即使在這早期日子,雖然耶穌並未對他父母說任何關於這類的事情,他已開始在他心中反覆考慮慶祝逾越節而不屠宰羔羊的適當性。他心中確信,天上的「父」對這種祭獻供奉的場景並不滿意,隨著歲月流逝,他越發堅定有朝一日要建立一個不流血的逾越節慶點。 125:2.4 (1379.5) Jesus slept very little that night. His rest was greatly disturbed by revolting dreams of slaughter and suffering. His mind was distraught and his heart torn by the inconsistencies and absurdities of the theology of the whole Jewish ceremonial system. His parents likewise slept little. They were greatly disconcerted by the events of the day just ended. They were completely upset in their own hearts by the lad’s, to them, strange and determined attitude. Mary became nervously agitated during the fore part of the night, but Joseph remained calm, though he was equally puzzled. Both of them feared to talk frankly with the lad about these problems, though Jesus would gladly have talked with his parents if they had dared to encourage him. 125:2.4 (1379.5) 耶穌那晚幾乎沒睡,他的休息時間被令人反感的屠宰和受苦的夢所嚴重干擾。他心煩意亂,他的心被整個猶太禮儀體系之宗教信仰的矛盾和荒謬所撕裂。他父母也同樣幾乎沒睡。他們對剛剛結束這一天的事件感到極度不安。他們心中為這小男孩奇怪(對他們來說)而又堅定的態度感到憂心忡忡。瑪利亞在前半夜變得緊張不安,但約瑟夫則保持了冷靜,儘管他也同樣困惑。他們倆人都害怕與這小男孩坦誠談論這些問題,雖然只要他的父母敢於鼓勵他,耶穌將會很樂意與他們交談。 125:2.5 (1379.6) The next day’s services at the temple were more acceptable to Jesus and did much to relieve the unpleasant memories of the previous day. The following morning young Lazarus took Jesus in hand, and they began a systematic exploration of Jerusalem and its environs. Before the day was over, Jesus discovered the various places about the temple where teaching and question conferences were in progress; and aside from a few visits to the holy of holies to gaze in wonder as to what really was behind the veil of separation, he spent most of his time about the temple at these teaching conferences. 125:2.5 (1379.6) 隔天在聖殿的儀式對耶穌來說更為容易接受,並大大地減輕了前一天不愉快的記憶。接下來一天的早上,年幼的拉撒路帶著耶穌,他們開始有系統的探索耶路撒冷及其周邊地區。在這一天結束前,耶穌發現聖殿周圍不同地方正進行著教導和問答的討論會;除了幾次到拜訪聖所,驚奇地凝視著分隔的帷幕後到底是什麼之外,他將大多時間花在聖殿周圍這些教導討論會上。 125:2.6 (1380.1) Throughout the Passover week, Jesus kept his place among the new sons of the commandment, and this meant that he must seat himself outside the rail which segregated all persons who were not full citizens of Israel. Being thus made conscious of his youth, he refrained from asking the many questions which surged back and forth in his mind; at least he refrained until the Passover celebration had ended and these restrictions on the newly consecrated youths were lifted. 125:2.6 (1380.1) 在整個逾越節的一星期裡,耶穌在新的誡命之子們中間保留有他的位置,這意味著他必須坐在隔離所有非以色列正式公民的人的欄杆外。因此,他意識到自己的年輕,他忍住沒有提問許多在他腦海中湧現的問題;至少他忍到逾越節慶典結束並且對新聖化年輕人的這些限制被解除時。 125:2.7 (1380.2) On Wednesday of the Passover week, Jesus was permitted to go home with Lazarus to spend the night at Bethany. This evening, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary heard Jesus discuss things temporal and eternal, human and divine, and from that night on they all three loved him as if he had been their own brother. 125:2.7 (1380.2) 在逾越節周的星期三,耶穌獲准與拉撒路一起回家在伯大尼過夜。這晚,拉撒路、馬大和瑪利亞聽耶穌談論暫存和永恆、人性與神性的事物,從那晚起,他們三人就像愛他們自己兄弟般的愛他。 125:2.8 (1380.3) By the end of the week, Jesus saw less of Lazarus since he was not eligible for admission to even the outer circle of the temple discussions, though he attended some of the public talks delivered in the outer courts. Lazarus was the same age as Jesus, but in Jerusalem youths were seldom admitted to the consecration of sons of the law until they were a full thirteen years of age. 125:2.8 (1380.3) 到這周結束前,耶穌見到拉撒路的次數越來越少,因為他甚至不具備資格進入聖殿討論的外圈,儘管他參加了一些在外院舉行的公眾講座。拉撒路與耶穌同歲,但在耶路撒冷,年輕人在滿十三歲前很少獲准進入律法之子的聖化。 125:2.9 (1380.4) Again and again, during the Passover week, his parents would find Jesus sitting off by himself with his youthful head in his hands, profoundly thinking. They had never seen him behave like this, and not knowing how much he was confused in mind and troubled in spirit by the experience through which he was passing, they were sorely perplexed; they did not know what to do. They welcomed the passing of the days of the Passover week and longed to have their strangely acting son safely back in Nazareth. 125:2.9 (1380.4) 在逾越節的一周裡,耶穌的父母一次又一次地發現他獨自坐在一旁,他年輕的頭埋在手裡,深深地思考著。他們從未見過他這樣的行為,不知他所經歷的體驗讓他在思想上多麼困惑,在精神上多麼困擾,他們非常疑惑; 他們不知道該怎麼做。他們對逾越節周的日子流逝感到開心,並渴望將他們異常舉止的兒子安全帶回拿撒勒。 125:2.10 (1380.5) Day by day Jesus was thinking through his problems. By the end of the week he had made many adjustments; but when the time came to return to Nazareth, his youthful mind was still swarming with perplexities and beset by a host of unanswered questions and unsolved problems. 125:2.10 (1380.5) 耶穌日復一日地思考他的問題。到這周結束時,他已經做出了許多調整;但當返回拿撒勒的時刻到來時,他年輕的心智仍充滿疑惑,被大量未解答的疑問和未解決的問題所困擾。 125:2.11 (1380.6) Before Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem, in company with Jesus’ Nazareth teacher they made definite arrangements for Jesus to return when he reached the age of fifteen to begin his long course of study in one of the best-known academies of the rabbis. Jesus accompanied his parents and teacher on their visits to the school, but they were all distressed to observe how indifferent he seemed to all they said and did. Mary was deeply pained at his reactions to the Jerusalem visit, and Joseph was profoundly perplexed at the lad’s strange remarks and unusual conduct. 125:2.11 (1380.6) 在約瑟夫和瑪利亞離開耶路撒冷之前,他們與耶穌的拿撒勒老師一起,為耶穌返回耶路撒冷做明確的安排,即當他達到十五歲時,將在其中一所最知名的拉比學院開始他漫長學習課程。耶穌陪同他的父母和老師參觀了學校,但是他們都因觀察到他似乎對他們所說和所做的一切都漠不關心而感到憂傷。瑪利亞對於他對耶路撒冷訪問的反應深感痛苦,約瑟夫也對這小男孩奇怪的言論和不尋常的行為深感疑惑。 125:2.12 (1380.7) After all, Passover week had been a great event in Jesus’ life. He had enjoyed the opportunity of meeting scores of boys about his own age, fellow candidates for the consecration, and he utilized such contacts as a means of learning how people lived in Mesopotamia, Turkestan, and Parthia, as well as in the Far-Western provinces of Rome. He was already fairly conversant with the way in which the youth of Egypt and other regions near Palestine grew up. There were thousands of young people in Jerusalem at this time, and the Nazareth lad personally met, and more or less extensively interviewed, more than one hundred and fifty. He was particularly interested in those who hailed from the Far-Eastern and the remote Western countries. As a result of these contacts the lad began to entertain a desire to travel about the world for the purpose of learning how the various groups of his fellow men toiled for their livelihood. 125:2.12 (1380.7) 終究,逾越節的一周已成為耶穌生命中的一場重大事件。他享受與許多年齡和他相仿男孩的見面機會,他們聖化的候選人,而他利用這種接觸來作為瞭解人們如何在美索不達米亞、突厥斯坦和帕提亞,以及羅馬遠西諸省生活的一種方法。他已相當熟悉埃及和其它靠近巴勒斯坦地區年輕人的成長方式。這時有成千上萬年輕人在耶路撒冷,這個拿撒勒小男孩親身遇到並或多或少進行深入訪談了一百五十多位。他對那些來自遠東和遙遠西方國家的人特別感興趣。由於這些接觸,這小男孩開始懷有環遊世界的渴望,目的是瞭解他的同胞們是如何為了生計而辛勤工作。 3. Departure of Joseph and Mary 3. 約瑟夫和瑪利亞的離開 125:3.1 (1381.1) It had been arranged that the Nazareth party should gather in the region of the temple at midforenoon on the first day of the week after the Passover festival had ended. This they did and started out on the return journey to Nazareth. Jesus had gone into the temple to listen to the discussions while his parents awaited the assembly of their fellow travelers. Presently the company prepared to depart, the men going in one group and the women in another as was their custom in journeying to and from the Jerusalem festivals. Jesus had gone up to Jerusalem in company with his mother and the women. Being now a young man of the consecration, he was supposed to journey back to Nazareth in company with his father and the men. But as the Nazareth party moved on toward Bethany, Jesus was completely absorbed in the discussion of angels, in the temple, being wholly unmindful of the passing of the time for the departure of his parents. And he did not realize that he had been left behind until the noontime adjournment of the temple conferences. 125:3.1 (1381.1) 拿撒勒一行人已經約定應在逾越節結束後那周的第一天上午中間時段在聖殿地區集合。他們依約而行,並開始了返回拿撒勒的旅程。耶穌在他父母等待他們同行者集合時,進入聖殿聆聽討論。不久隊伍準備好出發,男人們一組,女人們一組,正如同他們往返耶路撒冷節日的慣例。耶穌是與他母親及女人們一起去了耶路撒冷。他現在是一個聖化的年輕人,本應與他父親和男人們一起返回拿撒勒。不過當拿撒勒一行人向伯大尼前進時,耶穌卻在聖殿裡全神貫注於關於天使的討論,完全未留意他父母出發時間的流逝。直到聖殿討論會的中午休會時,他才意識到他沒跟上隊伍。 125:3.2 (1381.2) The Nazareth travelers did not miss Jesus because Mary surmised he journeyed with the men, while Joseph thought he traveled with the women since he had gone up to Jerusalem with the women, leading Mary’s donkey. They did not discover his absence until they reached Jericho and prepared to tarry for the night. After making inquiry of the last of the party to reach Jericho and learning that none of them had seen their son, they spent a sleepless night, turning over in their minds what might have happened to him, recounting many of his unusual reactions to the events of Passover week, and mildly chiding each other for not seeing to it that he was in the group before they left Jerusalem. 125:3.2 (1381.2) 拿撒勒的旅行者們並未發現耶穌不在,因為瑪利亞推測他與男人們一起旅行,而約瑟夫則認為他與女人們一起走,因為他曾牽著瑪利亞的驢與女人們一起去耶路撒冷。直到他們抵達耶利哥並準備停留過夜時,他們才發現他不在。在詢問抵達耶利哥的最後一批人並得知沒有人見過他們的兒子後,他們徹夜難眠,在腦海中反覆思考著他可能發生了什麼事,回想著他對逾越節周所發生事件的不尋常反應,並輕微地責備彼此沒有在他們離開耶路撒冷前確認他在隊伍中。 4. First and Second Days in the Temple 4. 在聖殿的第一天和第二天 125:4.1 (1381.3) In the meantime, Jesus had remained in the temple throughout the afternoon, listening to the discussions and enjoying the more quiet and decorous atmosphere, the great crowds of Passover week having about disappeared. At the conclusion of the afternoon discussions, in none of which Jesus participated, he betook himself to Bethany, arriving just as Simon’s family made ready to partake of their evening meal. The three youngsters were overjoyed to greet Jesus, and he remained in Simon’s house for the night. He visited very little during the evening, spending much of the time alone in the garden meditating. 125:4.1 (1381.3) 與此同時,耶穌整個下午都留在聖殿中,聽取討論並享受更為安靜而又有禮的氣氛,逾越節周的大批人群也已差不多散去。耶穌並未參與下午的任何討論,當討論結束時,他自己前往伯大尼,正好在西門家人準備享用晚餐時抵達。三個年輕人喜出望外地迎接耶穌,他在西門家留宿一晚。那天晚上他很少交談,大部分時間都獨自在花園裡冥想。 125:4.2 (1381.4) Early next day Jesus was up and on his way to the temple. On the brow of Olivet he paused and wept over the sight his eyes beheld—a spiritually impoverished people, tradition bound and living under the surveillance of the Roman legions. Early forenoon found him in the temple with his mind made up to take part in the discussions. Meanwhile, Joseph and Mary also had arisen with the early dawn with the intention of retracing their steps to Jerusalem. First, they hastened to the house of their relatives, where they had lodged as a family during the Passover week, but inquiry elicited the fact that no one had seen Jesus. After searching all day and finding no trace of him, they returned to their relatives for the night. 125:4.2 (1381.4) 第二天一早,耶穌起身前往聖殿。在橄欖山的山頂,他停下來,為眼前所見的景象哭泣——一個靈性貧瘠的民族,受傳統束縛且生活在羅馬軍團的監視下。上午早些時候,他在聖殿裡並決心參與討論。與此同時,約瑟夫和瑪利亞也在黎明時分起床,打算返回耶路撒冷。首先,他們趕往他們親戚家,他們全家曾在逾越節周在那裡寄宿,但詢問得知沒人見過耶穌。經過一整天的尋找,仍然沒有找到他的蹤跡,他們回到他們的親戚那過夜。 125:4.3 (1382.1) At the second conference Jesus had made bold to ask questions, and in a very amazing way he participated in the temple discussions but always in a manner consistent with his youth. Sometimes his pointed questions were somewhat embarrassing to the learned teachers of the Jewish law, but he evinced such a spirit of candid fairness, coupled with an evident hunger for knowledge, that the majority of the temple teachers were disposed to treat him with every consideration. But when he presumed to question the justice of putting to death a drunken gentile who had wandered outside the court of the gentiles and unwittingly entered the forbidden and reputedly sacred precincts of the temple, one of the more intolerant teachers grew impatient with the lad’s implied criticisms and, glowering down upon him, asked how old he was. Jesus replied, “thirteen years lacking a trifle more than four months.” “Then,” rejoined the now irate teacher, “why are you here, since you are not of age as a son of the law?” And when Jesus explained that he had received consecration during the Passover, and that he was a finished student of the Nazareth schools, the teachers with one accord derisively replied, “We might have known; he is from Nazareth.” But the leader insisted that Jesus was not to be blamed if the rulers of the synagogue at Nazareth had graduated him, technically, when he was twelve instead of thirteen; and notwithstanding that several of his detractors got up and left, it was ruled that the lad might continue undisturbed as a pupil of the temple discussions. 125:4.3 (1382.1) 在第二次討論會上,耶穌大膽地提出問題,他以一種非常令人吃驚的方式參與聖殿討論,但總是以一種符合他年輕年齡的方式。有時他尖銳的問題讓博學的猶太律法教師感到有些尷尬,但他表現出坦誠公平的精神,加上對知識的明顯渴望,以致於大多數聖殿教師都願意以尊重的方式對待他。但當他擅敢質疑處死一位酒醉外邦人之公正性時(這酒醉外邦人徘徊在外邦人庭院外面而不經意進入被禁止且被認為是神聖的聖殿區域),一個較不寬容的教師對這小男孩隱含的批評變得不耐煩,怒視著他,問他多大年紀。耶穌回答,「差四個月多一點就滿十三歲」。「那麼,」現在發怒的教師反駁,「你為何在這裡,既然你還沒達到律法之子的年齡? 」當耶穌解釋他已在逾越節期間接受聖化,並且他是拿撒勒學校的一名畢業生時,教師們一致嘲弄地回答,「我們本該知道;他來自拿撒勒。」但帶領的教師堅持,如果拿撒勒猶太會堂的管理者們嚴格上來說已讓他在十二歲而非十三歲時畢業,耶穌就不應受到指責;儘管他的幾個批評者起身離開,但仍然裁定這個小男孩可以繼續不受干擾地作為聖殿討論會的學生。 125:4.4 (1382.2) When this, his second day in the temple, was finished, again he went to Bethany for the night. And again he went out in the garden to meditate and pray. It was apparent that his mind was concerned with the contemplation of weighty problems. 125:4.4 (1382.2) 當他在聖殿的第二天結束時,他再次前往伯大尼過夜。他也再次外出到花園中冥想和祈禱。很顯然,他的心智關注在重大問題的沈思上。 5. The Third Day in the Temple 5. 在聖殿的第三天 125:5.1 (1382.3) Jesus’ third day with the scribes and teachers in the temple witnessed the gathering of many spectators who, having heard of this youth from Galilee, came to enjoy the experience of seeing a lad confuse the wise men of the law. Simon also came down from Bethany to see what the boy was up to. Throughout this day Joseph and Mary continued their anxious search for Jesus, even going several times into the temple but never thinking to scrutinize the several discussion groups, although they once came almost within hearing distance of his fascinating voice. 125:5.1 (1382.3) 耶穌在聖殿裡與文士和教師們在一起的第三天,見證了許多旁觀者的聚集,他們聽說了這位來自加利利的年輕人,前來享受觀看一個小夥子讓律法智者們感到困惑的經歷。西門也從伯大尼過來,看這個孩子在做什麼。這一整天當中,約瑟夫和瑪利亞繼續焦急地尋找耶穌,甚至幾次進入聖殿,但從未想到仔細檢查幾個討論組,儘管他們曾一度幾乎來到他迷人聲音的聽力所及範圍內。 125:5.2 (1382.4) Before the day had ended, the entire attention of the chief discussion group of the temple had become focused upon the questions being asked by Jesus. Among his many questions were: 125:5.2 (1382.4) 在這天結束之前,聖殿主要討論小組的全部注意力都集中在耶穌所提的問題上。他的許多問題包括: 125:5.3 (1382.5) 1. What really exists in the holy of holies, behind the veil? 125:5.3 (1382.5) 1. 帷幕後的至聖所中究竟存在著什麼? 125:5.4 (1382.6) 2. Why should mothers in Israel be segregated from the male temple worshipers? 125:5.4 (1382.6) 2. 為什麼以色列的母親們應該與男性聖殿禮拜者分開? 125:5.5 (1382.7) 3. If God is a father who loves his children, why all this slaughter of animals to gain divine favor—has the teaching of Moses been misunderstood? 125:5.5 (1382.7) 3. 如果神是一個愛他孩子的父親,為什麼所有這一切對動物的屠殺來獲得神的恩寵——摩西的教導被誤解了嗎? 125:5.6 (1382.8) 4. Since the temple is dedicated to the worship of the Father in heaven, is it consistent to permit the presence of those who engage in secular barter and trade? 125:5.6 (1382.8) 4. 既然聖殿是為敬拜天上的「父」而設立的,那麼允許那些從事世俗易貨和貿易的人在場是否與其相符呢? 125:5.7 (1382.9) 5. Is the expected Messiah to become a temporal prince to sit on the throne of David, or is he to function as the light of life in the establishment of a spiritual kingdom? 125:5.7 (1382.9) 5. 預期的彌賽亞是要成為坐在大衛王寶座上的世俗君王,還是要在屬靈王國的建立過程中發揮生命之光的作用? 125:5.8 (1383.1) And all the day through, those who listened marveled at these questions, and none was more astonished than Simon. For more than four hours this Nazareth youth plied these Jewish teachers with thought-provoking and heart-searching questions. He made few comments on the remarks of his elders. He conveyed his teaching by the questions he would ask. By the deft and subtle phrasing of a question he would at one and the same time challenge their teaching and suggest his own. In the manner of his asking a question there was an appealing combination of sagacity and humor which endeared him even to those who more or less resented his youthfulness. He was always eminently fair and considerate in the asking of these penetrating questions. On this eventful afternoon in the temple he exhibited that same reluctance to take unfair advantage of an opponent which characterized his entire subsequent public ministry. As a youth, and later on as a man, he seemed to be utterly free from all egoistic desire to win an argument merely to experience logical triumph over his fellows, being interested supremely in just one thing: to proclaim everlasting truth and thus effect a fuller revelation of the eternal God. 125:5.8 (1383.1) 整天下來,聽者都對這些問題驚歎不已,而沒有人比西門更感到驚訝。在四個多小時的時間裡,這個拿撒勒的年輕人不斷以發人深思而又探索內心的問題,向這些猶太教師們提問。他對長輩的言論幾乎沒有發表任何評論。他透過他所提出的問題傳遞他的教導。藉由對問題的靈巧微妙措辭,他同時挑戰他們的教導並提議他自己的。在他提問的方式上,有一種吸引人的睿智與幽默之結合,即使是那些或多或少對他的年輕有些不滿的人也喜歡他。他總是非常公平而又周到地問這些敏銳的問題。在這個重大的下午,他在聖殿中展示出了那種同樣不願意向對手採取不公平的優勢,這也是他隨後整個公共侍奉的特徵。作為一個年輕人,以及之後作為一個男人,他似乎完全不受所有以自我為中心慾望的影響,也就是說僅僅是為了體驗對他同伴的邏輯性勝利而去贏得一場爭論,他只對一件事極感興趣:宣揚永恆真理,從而實現對永恆之神的更全面啟示。 125:5.9 (1383.2) When the day was over, Simon and Jesus wended their way back to Bethany. For most of the distance both the man and the boy were silent. Again Jesus paused on the brow of Olivet, but as he viewed the city and its temple, he did not weep; he only bowed his head in silent devotion. 125:5.9 (1383.2) 當一天結束時,西門和耶穌沿路返回伯大尼。大部分路程中,男人和男孩都是沉默的。耶穌再次停在橄欖山的山頂,但當他看到城市及其聖殿時,他並沒有哭泣;他只是低下頭默默祈禱。 125:5.10 (1383.3) After the evening meal at Bethany he again declined to join the merry circle but instead went to the garden, where he lingered long into the night, vainly endeavoring to think out some definite plan of approach to the problem of his lifework and to decide how best he might labor to reveal to his spiritually blinded countrymen a more beautiful concept of the heavenly Father and so set them free from their terrible bondage to law, ritual, ceremonial, and musty tradition. But the clear light did not come to the truth-seeking lad. 125:5.10 (1383.3) 在伯大尼的晚餐之後,他再次拒絕加入歡樂圈,而是去了花園,他在那兒徘徊許久直到夜深,徒然地試圖想出一些明確的計劃來解決他畢生事業的問題,並決定他如何可以盡最大努力來向他在屬靈上被蒙蔽的同胞們揭示一個關於天父的更美好概念,從而使他們擺脫對律法、儀式、典禮和陳腐傳統的可怕束縛。但清晰之光並沒有降臨到這位尋求真理的小男孩身上。 6. The Fourth Day in the Temple 6. 聖殿的第四天 125:6.1 (1383.4) Jesus was strangely unmindful of his earthly parents; even at breakfast, when Lazarus’s mother remarked that his parents must be about home by that time, Jesus did not seem to comprehend that they would be somewhat worried about his having lingered behind. 125:6.1 (1383.4) 耶穌異常地不在意他的世間父母;甚至在早餐時,當拉撒路的母親談論到他的父母在那時應該差不多到家時,耶穌似乎並不理解他們將會為他的滯留而感到有些擔心。 125:6.2 (1383.5) Again he journeyed to the temple, but he did not pause to meditate at the brow of Olivet. In the course of the morning’s discussions much time was devoted to the law and the prophets, and the teachers were astonished that Jesus was so familiar with the Scriptures, in Hebrew as well as Greek. But they were amazed not so much by his knowledge of truth as by his youth. 125:6.2 (1383.5) 他再次前往聖殿,但他沒有在橄欖山的山頂駐足冥想。在早上的討論過程中,很多時間都花在律法和先知上,教師們對於耶穌對無論是希伯來文還是希臘文的「經文」如此熟悉感到驚訝。但他們所驚訝的與其說是他的真理知識,不如說是他的年輕。 125:6.3 (1383.6) At the afternoon conference they had hardly begun to answer his question relating to the purpose of prayer when the leader invited the lad to come forward and, sitting beside him, bade him state his own views regarding prayer and worship. 125:6.3 (1383.6) 在下午的討論會上,他們才剛剛開始回答他關於祈禱之目的的問題,帶領的教師就邀請這小男孩上前,坐在他旁邊,請他陳述他自己關於祈禱和敬拜的看法。 125:6.4 (1383.7) The evening before, Jesus’ parents had heard about this strange youth who so deftly sparred with the expounders of the law, but it had not occurred to them that this lad was their son. They had about decided to journey out to the home of Zacharias as they thought Jesus might have gone thither to see Elizabeth and John. Thinking Zacharias might perhaps be at the temple, they stopped there on their way to the City of Judah. As they strolled through the courts of the temple, imagine their surprise and amazement when they recognized the voice of the missing lad and beheld him seated among the temple teachers. 125:6.4 (1383.7) 之前晚上,耶穌的父母已聽說了這個如此靈巧與律法闡述者爭辯的奇怪年輕人,但他們沒想到這個小夥子是他們的兒子。他們正要決定前往撒迦利亞的家,因為他們認為耶穌可能去那裡見伊莉莎白和約翰。想到撒加利亞或許會在聖殿中,於是他們在前往猶大城的路上在那裡停留,當他們緩步走過聖殿的庭院時,想像一下當他們認出失蹤小男孩的聲音,並看到他坐在聖殿導師們中間時的詫異與驚愕。 125:6.5 (1384.1) Joseph was speechless, but Mary gave vent to her long-pent-up fear and anxiety when, rushing up to the lad, now standing to greet his astonished parents, she said: “My child, why have you treated us like this? It is now more than three days that your father and I have searched for you sorrowing. Whatever possessed you to desert us?” It was a tense moment. All eyes were turned on Jesus to hear what he would say. His father looked reprovingly at him but said nothing. 125:6.5 (1384.1) 約瑟夫說不出話來,但瑪利亞發洩出她壓抑已久的恐懼和焦慮,衝到此時站起來迎接他驚訝父母的小男孩面前,她說:「我的孩子,你為何要這樣對待我們?你父親和我悲傷地尋找著你,到現在已經超過三天了。究竟是什麼迷住了你,讓你拋下我們?」那是一個緊張的時刻。所有目光都轉向耶穌,聽他會說些什麼。他父親用責備的眼光看著他,但什麼也沒說。 125:6.6 (1384.2) It should be remembered that Jesus was supposed to be a young man. He had finished the regular schooling of a child, had been recognized as a son of the law, and had received consecration as a citizen of Israel. And yet his mother more than mildly upbraided him before all the people assembled, right in the midst of the most serious and sublime effort of his young life, thus bringing to an inglorious termination one of the greatest opportunities ever to be granted him to function as a teacher of truth, a preacher of righteousness, a revealer of the loving character of his Father in heaven. 125:6.6 (1384.2) 應當記住的是,耶穌應已是個年輕人。他已完成了孩子的常規教育,已被承認為律法之子,已接受聖化成為以色列公民。然而,他的母親在所有聚集起來的人們面前超出溫和地責備他,就在他年輕生命最為嚴肅和崇高的努力中間,由此將有史以來授予他作為真理的導師、正義的傳道者、他天上的「父」之慈愛品格的啟示者的最偉大機會之一,帶到一個不光采的結束。 125:6.7 (1384.3) But the lad was equal to the occasion. When you take into fair consideration all the factors which combined to make up this situation, you will be better prepared to fathom the wisdom of the boy’s reply to his mother’s unintended rebuke. After a moment’s thought, Jesus answered his mother, saying: “Why is it that you have so long sought me? Would you not expect to find me in my Father’s house since the time has come when I should be about my Father’s business?” 125:6.7 (1384.3) 但這個小男孩完全能應對這場合。當你公平地考慮到造成這一情況的所有組合因素時,你將會更好地理解這個男孩對她母親意想不到的責備所做出回應的智慧。經過片刻的思考後,耶穌回答他的母親,說道:「你們為什麼找我這麼久?既然我應做我『父』的事的時刻已經到來,你們難道沒有期望在我『父』的家裡找到我?」 125:6.8 (1384.4) Everyone was astonished at the lad’s manner of speaking. Silently they all withdrew and left him standing alone with his parents. Presently the young man relieved the embarrassment of all three when he quietly said: “Come, my parents, none has done aught but that which he thought best. Our Father in heaven has ordained these things; let us depart for home.” 125:6.8 (1384.4) 每個人都對這小男孩的說話方式感到驚訝。他們都默默地退出,留下他單獨與他父母站在一起。不久,這個年輕人緩解了所有三個人的尷尬,他輕聲的說道:「來吧,我的父母,每個人都只是做了他認為最好的事。 我們在天上的『父』已命定了這些事,讓我們回家吧。」 125:6.9 (1384.5) In silence they started out, arriving at Jericho for the night. Only once did they pause, and that on the brow of Olivet, when the lad raised his staff aloft and, quivering from head to foot under the surging of intense emotion, said: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, and the people thereof, what slaves you are—subservient to the Roman yoke and victims of your own traditions—but I will return to cleanse yonder temple and deliver my people from this bondage!” 125:6.9 (1384.5) 他們默默地出發,抵達耶利哥過夜。他們僅停留過一次,那是在橄欖山的山頂,當時這個少年高高舉起他的拐杖,全身因強烈的情緒波動而顫抖著,說道:「哦,耶路撒冷,耶路撒冷,還有你的人們,你們是多麼的奴隸——既屈從於羅馬人的束縛,又是你們自己傳統的受害者——但我將要回來潔淨那邊的聖殿,並將我的人民從這種束縛中解救出來!」 125:6.10 (1384.6) On the three days’ journey to Nazareth Jesus said little; neither did his parents say much in his presence. They were truly at a loss to understand the conduct of their first-born son, but they did treasure in their hearts his sayings, even though they could not fully comprehend their meanings. 125:6.10 (1384.6) 在前往拿撒勒的三天中,耶穌很少說話;他的父母在他面前也沒說什麼。他們實在不明白他們長子的行為,但他們的確將他的話語珍藏在心中,即使他們無法完全理解其中的含意。 125:6.11 (1384.7) Upon reaching home, Jesus made a brief statement to his parents, assuring them of his affection and implying that they need not fear he would again give any occasion for their suffering anxiety because of his conduct. He concluded this momentous statement by saying: “While I must do the will of my Father in heaven, I will also be obedient to my father on earth. I will await my hour.” 125:6.11 (1384.7) 抵達家後,耶穌向他父母做了一個簡短的聲明,向他們保證他的愛,並暗示他們不需要擔心他會再次因為他的行為而帶給他們痛苦焦慮。他用以下話語總結這一重大聲明:「雖然我必須履行我天上之『父』的意志,我也會服從於我世上之父。 我將等待我的時刻。」 125:6.12 (1384.8) Though Jesus, in his mind, would many times refuse to consent to the well-intentioned but misguided efforts of his parents to dictate the course of his thinking or to establish the plan of his work on earth, still, in every manner consistent with his dedication to the doing of his Paradise Father’s will, he did most gracefully conform to the desires of his earthly father and to the usages of his family in the flesh. Even when he could not consent, he would do everything possible to conform. He was an artist in the matter of adjusting his dedication to duty to his obligations of family loyalty and social service. 125:6.12 (1384.8) 儘管耶穌在心中多次想要拒絕同意他父母善意但卻判斷錯誤的努力,那努力為的是支配他思考的過程或建立他世間工作的計劃,但他仍然以符合他致力於履行他天父意志的方式,最為優雅地順從他世間父親的願望和他肉身家庭的習慣。即便當他無法同意時,他也願意盡可能去順從。他在調整他對責任的奉獻以適應他對家庭忠誠和社會服務的義務上是個藝術家。 125:6.13 (1385.1) Joseph was puzzled, but Mary, as she reflected on these experiences, gained comfort, eventually viewing his utterance on Olivet as prophetic of the Messianic mission of her son as Israel’s deliverer. She set to work with renewed energy to mold his thoughts into patriotic and nationalistic channels and enlisted the efforts of her brother, Jesus’ favorite uncle; and in every other way did the mother of Jesus address herself to the task of preparing her first-born son to assume the leadership of those who would restore the throne of David and forever cast off the gentile yoke of political bondage. 125:6.13 (1385.1) 約瑟夫感到困惑,但瑪利亞在她反思這些經歷時卻獲得了安慰,最終將他在橄欖山上的話語視為他兒子作為以色列拯救者之彌賽亞使命的預示。她以新的精力開始工作,將他的思想塑造成愛國和民族主義的路線,並贏得她兄弟——耶穌最喜愛的舅舅——的幫助;耶穌母親也的確以各種方式致力於為她的長子做好準備,以擔當那些想要恢復大衛王寶座並永遠擺脫政治束縛之外邦枷鎖的人們的領導者。

23. elo 2024 - 26 min
jakson 第124篇 耶穌的晚期童年 kansikuva

第124篇 耶穌的晚期童年

Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/聽聽《玉苒廈之書》––-第四部分/id1758596036] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/27Q4DX940tDz9Xpk9zdBZN?si=35cbb00eb95a4a95] Youtube [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_YC5HbVczI-JnOl5e6d5sg6givfXh7QA&si=u8iPj8b7WlXM3VGG] Paper 124 The Later Childhood of Jesus 第124篇 耶穌的晚期童年 124:0.1 (1366.1) ALTHOUGH Jesus might have enjoyed a better opportunity for schooling at Alexandria than in Galilee, he could not have had such a splendid environment for working out his own life problems with a minimum of educational guidance, at the same time enjoying the great advantage of constantly contacting with such a large number of all classes of men and women hailing from every part of the civilized world. Had he remained at Alexandria, his education would have been directed by Jews and along exclusively Jewish lines. At Nazareth he secured an education and received a training which more acceptably prepared him to understand the gentiles, and which gave him a better and more balanced idea of the relative merits of the Eastern, or Babylonian, and the Western, or Hellenic, views of Hebrew theology. 124:0.1 (1366.1) 儘管耶穌或許在亞歷山卓會比在加利利享有更好的學校教育機會,但他不可能擁有如此出色的環境,即透過最低限度的教育指導來解決他自己的生活問題,同時又享有不斷和如此一大群來自文明世界各地所有階層男女接觸的極大優勢。如果他留在亞歷山卓,他的教育將由猶太人指導,並完全沿著猶太教的路線。在拿撒勒,他獲得的教育和接受的培訓更合適使他理解外邦人,而對於東方巴比倫式和西方希臘式的希伯來神學觀點之相對優勢,這教育訓練也給了他一種更好且更為平衡的觀念。 1. Jesus’ Ninth Year (A.D. 3) 1. 耶穌的第九年(西元3年) 124:1.1 (1366.2) Though it could hardly be said that Jesus was ever seriously ill, he did have some of the minor ailments of childhood this year, along with his brothers and baby sister. 124:1.1 (1366.2) 雖然不能說耶穌曾生過重病,但他的確在這一年與他的弟弟們和幼小妹妹一起得過一些童年時期的輕微小毛病。 124:1.2 (1366.3) School went on and he was still a favored pupil, having one week each month at liberty, and he continued to divide his time about equally between trips to neighboring cities with his father, sojourns on his uncle’s farm south of Nazareth, and fishing excursions out from Magdala. 124:1.2 (1366.3) 學校生活繼續,他仍是一個受到青睞的學生,每個月有一個星期的空閒,他也繼續將他的時間大約平均地分配到與他父親一起前往鄰近城市的旅行、在拿撒勒南邊他舅舅的農場逗留以及從抹大拉出發的釣魚之旅中。 124:1.3 (1366.4) The most serious trouble as yet to come up at school occurred in late winter when Jesus dared to challenge the chazan regarding the teaching that all images, pictures, and drawings were idolatrous in nature. Jesus delighted in drawing landscapes as well as in modeling a great variety of objects in potter’s clay. Everything of that sort was strictly forbidden by Jewish law, but up to this time he had managed to disarm his parents’ objection to such an extent that they had permitted him to continue in these activities. 124:1.3 (1366.4) 冬季末,發生了學校迄今最嚴重的麻煩,當耶穌竟敢挑戰領誦者關於所有影像、圖片和繪畫在本質上都是崇拜偶像的教導。耶穌喜歡畫風景,也喜歡用陶土塑各種各樣的物體。所有那類的東西都受到猶太人律法的嚴格禁止,但到目前為止他已設法解除了他父母的反對,以致於他們允許他繼續這些活動。 124:1.4 (1366.5) But trouble was again stirred up at school when one of the more backward pupils discovered Jesus drawing a charcoal picture of the teacher on the floor of the schoolroom. There it was, plain as day, and many of the elders had viewed it before the committee went to call on Joseph to demand that something be done to suppress the lawlessness of his eldest son. And though this was not the first time complaints had come to Joseph and Mary about the doings of their versatile and aggressive child, this was the most serious of all the accusations which had thus far been lodged against him. Jesus listened to the indictment of his artistic efforts for some time, being seated on a large stone just outside the back door. He resented their blaming his father for his alleged misdeeds; so in he marched, fearlessly confronting his accusers. The elders were thrown into confusion. Some were inclined to view the episode humorously, while one or two seemed to think the boy was sacrilegious if not blasphemous. Joseph was nonplused, Mary indignant, but Jesus insisted on being heard. He had his say, courageously defended his viewpoint, and with consummate self-control announced that he would abide by the decision of his father in this as in all other matters controversial. And the committee of elders departed in silence. 124:1.4 (1366.5) 不過在學校,麻煩再次被挑起,當一名較為落後的學生發現耶穌在學校教室的地板上畫了教師的木炭畫像。它非常明顯的在那裡,在許多長老看過後,委員會去拜訪了約瑟夫,強烈要求採取一些措施來抑制他長子的違法行為。儘管這不是第一次向約瑟夫和瑪利亞抱怨他們多才多藝和積極進取孩子的行為,但這是迄今為止對他提出的所有控告中最為嚴重的。耶穌就坐在後門外的一塊大石頭上,聽了一段時間關於對他藝術努力的控訴。他對於他們因他的所謂罪行而指責他父親感到不滿;於是他走進去,無畏地面對他的指控者們。長老們陷入了混亂。有些人傾向於幽默地看待這件事,而一兩個似乎認為這個孩子若非言語上褻瀆神靈,也在行動上褻瀆了神靈(sacrilegious)。約瑟夫感到為難,瑪利亞則憤憤不平,但耶穌則堅持作出陳詞。他說出了他的話,勇敢地捍衛了自己的觀點,並以無比的自制宣佈他將在這件事上遵守他父親的決定,就如同在所有其它具爭議的事務上一樣。然後長老委員會便默默地離開了。 124:1.5 (1367.1) Mary endeavored to influence Joseph to permit Jesus to model in clay at home, provided he promised not to carry on any of these questionable activities at school, but Joseph felt impelled to rule that the rabbinical interpretation of the second commandment should prevail. And so Jesus no more drew or modeled the likeness of anything from that day as long as he lived in his father’s house. But he was unconvinced of the wrong of what he had done, and to give up such a favorite pastime constituted one of the great trials of his young life. 124:1.5 (1367.1) 瑪利亞盡力影響約瑟夫讓耶穌在家用粘土做模型,只要他承諾不在學校做這些備受質疑的活動,但約瑟夫不得不裁定拉比對第二誡命的闡釋應占上風。因此,從那天起,只要耶穌住在他父親家裡,他就不再畫和塑造任何東西的形象。但他不認為他做錯了什麼,放棄這樣一個最喜愛的消遣構成了他年經生活中的重大考驗之一。 124:1.6 (1367.2) In the latter part of June, Jesus, in company with his father, first climbed to the summit of Mount Tabor. It was a clear day and the view was superb. It seemed to this nine-year-old lad that he had really gazed upon the entire world excepting India, Africa, and Rome. 124:1.6 (1367.2) 在六月下旬,耶穌與他父親一起,第一次攀登塔沃爾山的山頂。這天天氣晴朗,景色非常壯觀。 對這個九歲孩子來說,他似乎真的凝視著除了印度、非洲和羅馬以外的整個世界。 124:1.7 (1367.3) Jesus’ second sister, Martha, was born Thursday night, September 13. Three weeks after the coming of Martha, Joseph, who was home for awhile, started the building of an addition to their house, a combined workshop and bedroom. A small workbench was built for Jesus, and for the first time he possessed tools of his own. At odd times for many years he worked at this bench and became highly expert in the making of yokes. 124:1.7 (1367.3) 耶穌的第二個妹妹馬大在9月13日星期四晚上誕生。 在馬大到來的三個星期後,待在家一段時間的約瑟夫開始他們房子增建部分的建造,一個結合工作坊和臥室的建築。為耶穌建了一個小小的工作臺,他第一次擁有了他自己的工具。多年來,閒暇時他便在這工作臺工作,並變得極為擅長製作軛。 124:1.8 (1367.4) This winter and the next were the coldest in Nazareth for many decades. Jesus had seen snow on the mountains, and several times it had fallen in Nazareth, remaining on the ground only a short time; but not until this winter had he seen ice. The fact that water could be had as a solid, a liquid, and a vapor—he had long pondered over the escaping steam from the boiling pots—caused the lad to think a great deal about the physical world and its constitution; and yet the personality embodied in this growing youth was all this while the actual creator and organizer of all these things throughout a far-flung universe. 124:1.8 (1367.4) 這一年和下一年的冬天是拿撒勒幾十年來最冷的。耶穌在山上看過雪,拿撒勒也有幾次的降雪,可是雪停留在地上的時間很短;但直到這年冬天他才看到冰。水可以作為固體、液體和氣體——他已長時間地思量著從沸騰的鍋裡逸出的蒸汽 ——存在的事實,使這小男孩對於物理世界及其構成思考了許多;然而,體現在這一成長中少年身上的人格,與此同時也是整個廣袤宇宙中所有這一切的實際創造者和組織者。 124:1.9 (1367.5) The climate of Nazareth was not severe. January was the coldest month, the temperature averaging around 50° F. During July and August, the hottest months, the temperature would vary from 75° to 90° F. From the mountains to the Jordan and the Dead Sea valley the climate of Palestine ranged from the frigid to the torrid. And so, in a way, the Jews were prepared to live in about any and all of the world’s varying climates. 124:1.9 (1367.5) 拿撒勒的氣候並不嚴酷。 一月是最冷的月份,氣溫平均10°C左右。在7月和8月最熱的月份期間,氣溫會在24°C到32°C之間變動。從山脈到約旦和死海谷地,巴勒斯坦的氣候從嚴寒到酷熱都有。因此,在某種程度上,猶太人準備好在這個世界的所有各種不同氣候中生活。 124:1.10 (1367.6) Even during the warmest summer months a cool sea breeze usually blew from the west from 10:00 A.M. until about 10:00 P.M. But every now and then terrific hot winds from the eastern desert would blow across all Palestine. These hot blasts usually came in February and March, near the end of the rainy season. In those days the rain fell in refreshing showers from November to April, but it did not rain steadily. There were only two seasons in Palestine, summer and winter, the dry and rainy seasons. In January the flowers began to bloom, and by the end of April the whole land was one vast flower garden. 124:1.10 (1367.6) 即使在最暖和的夏季月份期間,從早上10點直到晚上10點左右,一股涼爽的海風通常會從西面吹來。但不時來自東面沙漠的猛烈熱風吹過整個巴勒斯坦。這些熱風通常會在接近雨季尾聲的2月3月到來。從11月到4月的那些日子裡,雨水以清爽的陣雨方式降下,但並沒有持續不斷地下雨。在巴勒斯坦只有兩個季節,夏季和冬季,即旱季和雨季。1月鮮花開始盛開,到4月底,整片土地是一個巨大的花園。 124:1.11 (1367.7) In May of this year, on his uncle’s farm, Jesus for the first time helped with the harvest of the grain. Before he was thirteen, he had managed to find out something about practically everything that men and women worked at around Nazareth except metal working, and he spent several months in a smith’s shop when older, after the death of his father. 124:1.11 (1367.7) 在這年5月,耶穌在他舅舅的農場第一次幫助收割穀物。在他13歲之前,他已設法弄清了在拿撒勒周圍男女從事的幾近每樣工作,除了金屬加工以外,在他父親去世後,他年紀更大時,他在一家鐵匠舖裡待了幾個月。 124:1.12 (1368.1) When work and caravan travel were slack, Jesus made many trips with his father on pleasure or business to near-by Cana, Endor, and Nain. Even as a lad he frequently visited Sepphoris, only a little over three miles from Nazareth to the northwest, and from 4 B.C. to about A.D. 25 the capital of Galilee and one of the residences of Herod Antipas. 124:1.12 (1368.1) 當工作和商隊旅行不繁忙時,耶穌和他父親多次一同前往附近的迦拿、隱多珥和拿因進行休閒或商務旅行。即便作為一個小孩子,他經常造訪塞弗瑞斯,從拿撒勒往西北僅五公里,它從西元前4年到西元25年左右是加利利的首府,也是希律・安提帕斯的一處居所。 124:1.13 (1368.2) Jesus continued to grow physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. His trips away from home did much to give him a better and more generous understanding of his own family, and by this time even his parents were beginning to learn from him as well as to teach him. Jesus was an original thinker and a skillful teacher, even in his youth. He was in constant collision with the so-called “oral law,” but he always sought to adapt himself to the practices of his family. He got along fairly well with the children of his age, but he often grew discouraged with their slow-acting minds. Before he was ten years old, he had become the leader of a group of seven lads who formed themselves into a society for promoting the acquirements of manhood—physical, intellectual, and religious. Among these boys Jesus succeeded in introducing many new games and various improved methods of physical recreation. 124:1.13 (1368.2) 耶穌繼續在身體上、智力上、社交上和靈性上成長。他的離家旅行大大地給予他一種對他自身家庭更好及更為寬容的理解,而且到這個時候,甚至他父母在教他的同時也向他學習。耶穌是個具獨創性的思考者和熟練的導師,即使是在他年輕的時候也是如此。他與所謂的「口頭律法」處於不斷的衝突中,但他總是試圖令自己適應於他家庭的常規。他與同年齡的孩子相處得很好,但他經常對他們行動遲緩(slow-acting)的頭腦感到沮喪。在他十歲之前,他已經成為一個由七個小孩子組成群體的領導者,他們自己組成了一個促進獲得男子氣概——身體上、智力上和宗教上——的社團。在這些男孩中間,耶穌成功介紹了許多新的遊戲和各種改良的體育娛樂方法。 2. The Tenth Year (A.D. 4) 2. 第十年(西元4年) 124:2.1 (1368.3) It was the fifth of July, the first Sabbath of the month, when Jesus, while strolling through the countryside with his father, first gave expression to feelings and ideas which indicated that he was becoming self-conscious of the unusual nature of his life mission. Joseph listened attentively to the momentous words of his son but made few comments; he volunteered no information. The next day Jesus had a similar but longer talk with his mother. Mary likewise listened to the pronouncements of the lad, but neither did she volunteer any information. It was almost two years before Jesus again spoke to his parents concerning this increasing revelation within his own consciousness regarding the nature of his personality and the character of his mission on earth. 124:2.1 (1368.3) 那是在7月5日,該月的第一個安息日,當耶穌與他父親在鄉間散步時,首次表達了那些象徵他逐漸自我意識到他人生使命之不尋常本質的感受和想法。約瑟夫聚精會神地聆聽他兒子的重要話語,但很少作出評論;他沒有主動提供任何資訊。第二天,耶穌與他母親做了一次類似但卻更長的談話。瑪利亞同樣傾聽了小男孩的聲明,但她也沒有主動提出任何資訊。將近兩年後,耶穌才再次向他父母提及有關他自身意識中關於他人格之本性和他世間使命之特性的日益增長啟示。 124:2.2 (1368.4) He entered the advanced school of the synagogue in August. At school he was constantly creating trouble by the questions he persisted in asking. Increasingly he kept all Nazareth in more or less of a hubbub. His parents were loath to forbid his asking these disquieting questions, and his chief teacher was greatly intrigued by the lad’s curiosity, insight, and hunger for knowledge. 124:2.2 (1368.4) 他在八月進入了猶太會堂的高等學校。在學校他因堅持問的問題而不斷造成困擾。逐漸地,他讓整個拿撒勒陷入或多或少的騷動之中。他的父母不願禁止他問這些令人不安的問題,而他的首席導師對這個小男孩的好奇、洞見以及對知識的渴求深感興趣。 124:2.3 (1368.5) Jesus’ playmates saw nothing supernatural in his conduct; in most ways he was altogether like themselves. His interest in study was somewhat above the average but not wholly unusual. He did ask more questions at school than others in his class. 124:2.3 (1368.5) 耶穌的玩伴們在他行為中並未看到任何超自然的東西;在大多數方面,他和他們完全一樣。他在學習上的興趣有點超出平均,但也並非完全非同尋常。在學校,他的確比他班上其他同學問更多的問題。 124:2.4 (1368.6) Perhaps his most unusual and outstanding trait was his unwillingness to fight for his rights. Since he was such a well-developed lad for his age, it seemed strange to his playfellows that he was disinclined to defend himself even from injustice or when subjected to personal abuse. As it happened, he did not suffer much on account of this trait because of the friendship of Jacob, a neighbor boy, who was one year older. He was the son of the stone mason, a business associate of Joseph. Jacob was a great admirer of Jesus and made it his business to see that no one was permitted to impose upon Jesus because of his aversion to physical combat. Several times older and uncouth youths attacked Jesus, relying upon his reputed docility, but they always suffered swift and certain retribution at the hands of his self-appointed champion and ever-ready defender, Jacob the stone mason’s son. 124:2.4 (1368.6) 或許他最不尋常和最為突出的特點是他不願為他的權利而戰。由於他在同齡中是這樣一個發育良好的少年,但即便他在不公或受到人身攻擊時也不願自我防衛,這對他的玩伴們來說似乎很奇怪。當這發生時,他並未因這一特點而受太多苦,因為比他大一歲的鄰居男孩雅各的友誼。他是約瑟夫商業夥伴石匠的兒子。雅各非常欽佩耶穌,他不讓任何人因為耶穌厭惡肉體打鬥而欺負他,並將此視為其職責。有好幾次年長且粗野的年輕人仗著耶穌以溫順出名而攻擊他,但他們總是在耶穌的自封捍衛者及隨時準備好的保護者——石匠兒子雅各——的手中遭遇到了即時且必然的懲罰。 124:2.5 (1369.1) Jesus was the generally accepted leader of the Nazareth lads who stood for the higher ideals of their day and generation. He was really loved by his youthful associates, not only because he was fair, but also because he possessed a rare and understanding sympathy that betokened love and bordered on discreet compassion. 124:2.5 (1369.1) 耶穌是一群代表他們時代和世代更高理想的拿撒勒少年所普遍認可的領導者。他受到他年輕同伴們的真正喜愛,不僅因為他是公平的,也因為他擁有一種表現出愛意和近乎考慮周延的憐憫之罕見且善解人意的同情心。 124:2.6 (1369.2) This year he began to show a marked preference for the company of older persons. He delighted in talking over things cultural, educational, social, economic, political, and religious with older minds, and his depth of reasoning and keenness of observation so charmed his adult associates that they were always more than willing to visit with him. Until he became responsible for the support of the home, his parents were constantly seeking to influence him to associate with those of his own age, or more nearly his age, rather than with older and better-informed individuals for whom he evinced such a preference. 124:2.6 (1369.2) 這一年他開始明顯偏愛與年長者為伍。他喜歡與年長智者談論文化、教育、社會、經濟、政治和宗教方面的事情,他推理的深度和觀察的敏銳度令他的成年同伴極為著迷,以致他們總是非常願意與他閒談。直到他承擔家庭贍養責任之前,他的父母不斷試圖影響他與那些同齡的或更接近他年紀的人往來,而不是與那些他表現出如此偏好的年長且見識更豐富的個體往來。 124:2.7 (1369.3) Late this year he had a fishing experience of two months with his uncle on the Sea of Galilee, and he was very successful. Before attaining manhood, he had become an expert fisherman. 124:2.7 (1369.3) 這一年晚些時候,他與他的舅舅在加利利海上度過了為期兩個月的捕魚經歷,他的成果豐碩。在成年之前,他已成為一名熟練的漁夫。 124:2.8 (1369.4) His physical development continued; he was an advanced and privileged pupil at school; he got along fairly well at home with his younger brothers and sisters, having the advantage of being three and one-half years older than the oldest of the other children. He was well thought of in Nazareth except by the parents of some of the duller children, who often spoke of Jesus as being too pert, as lacking in proper humility and youthful reserve. He manifested a growing tendency to direct the play activities of his youthful associates into more serious and thoughtful channels. He was a born teacher and simply could not refrain from so functioning, even when supposedly engaged in play. 124:2.8 (1369.4) 他的身體繼續發育;他在學校是一個程度高且受優待的學生;他在家裡與他的弟弟妹妹們相處得很好,因為他擁有比其他孩子中最長者還大三歲半的優勢。他在拿撒勒備受讚譽,除了一些較為遲鈍孩子的父母經常提及耶穌過為冒失,缺少適當的謙卑和年經的矜持。他表現出越來越傾向將他年經同伴的遊戲活動導向更為嚴肅和深思的途徑。他是一個天生的導師,甚至在遊戲時也無法避免地扮演此角色。 124:2.9 (1369.5) Joseph early began to instruct Jesus in the diverse means of gaining a livelihood, explaining the advantages of agriculture over industry and trade. Galilee was a more beautiful and prosperous district than Judea, and it cost only about one fourth as much to live there as in Jerusalem and Judea. It was a province of agricultural villages and thriving industrial cities, containing more than two hundred towns of over five thousand population and thirty of over fifteen thousand. 124:2.9 (1369.5) 約瑟夫很早便開始指導耶穌各種謀生之道,解釋農業相對於工業和貿易的優勢。加利利是一個比猶太更美麗和更繁榮的地區,居住在那裡的花費僅為居住在耶路撒冷和猶太的四分之一左右。它是一個由農業村莊和興盛工業城市所組成的省份,包含兩百多個人口超過五千的城鎮,三十個人口超過一萬五千的城鎮。 124:2.10 (1369.6) When on his first trip with his father to observe the fishing industry on the lake of Galilee, Jesus had just about made up his mind to become a fisherman; but close association with his father’s vocation later on influenced him to become a carpenter, while still later a combination of influences led him to the final choice of becoming a religious teacher of a new order. 124:2.10 (1369.6) 當耶穌第一次與他父親前往加利利湖觀察漁業時,他幾乎打定主意成為一名漁夫;但後來與他父親職業的密切關聯影響了他成為一名木匠,而更晚些時候,各種影響的結合使他最終選擇成為一個嶄新類別的宗教導師。 3. The Eleventh Year (A.D. 5) 3. 第十一年(西元5年) 124:3.1 (1369.7) Throughout this year the lad continued to make trips away from home with his father, but he also frequently visited his uncle’s farm and occasionally went over to Magdala to engage in fishing with the uncle who made his headquarters near that city. 124:3.1 (1369.7) 在這一整年裡,這小男孩繼續跟隨他父親離家出遊,但他也經常拜訪他舅舅的農場,偶爾還前去抹大拉,與那位將他的總部設在該城市附近的舅舅一起捕魚。 124:3.2 (1369.8) Joseph and Mary were often tempted to show some special favoritism for Jesus or otherwise to betray their knowledge that he was a child of promise, a son of destiny. But both of his parents were extraordinarily wise and sagacious in all these matters. The few times they did exhibit any preference for him, even in the slightest degree, the lad was quick to refuse all such special consideration. 124:3.2 (1369.8) 約瑟夫和瑪利亞經常想要表現出對耶穌的某種特殊偏愛,或者以其它方式透露他們知道他是一個應許之子、天命之子的消息。但他的父母倆在所有這些事情上都極為聰明和睿智。極少次他們確實展示出對他的一點偏愛,即使是以極輕微的程度,這個小男孩迅速拒絕所有這樣的特殊關心。 124:3.3 (1370.1) Jesus spent considerable time at the caravan supply shop, and by conversing with the travelers from all parts of the world, he acquired a store of information about international affairs that was amazing, considering his age. This was the last year in which he enjoyed much free play and youthful joyousness. From this time on difficulties and responsibilities rapidly multiplied in the life of this youth. 124:3.3 (1370.1) 耶穌花了相當多時間在商隊補給的店舖中,藉由與來自世界各地的旅客交流,他獲得了大量關於國際事務的資訊,考慮到他的年齡,那是令人驚訝的。這是他享受許多自由玩耍和年輕歡樂的最後一年。從這時起,這個年輕人生活中的困難和責任迅速增加。 124:3.4 (1370.2) On Wednesday evening, June 24, A.D. 5, Jude was born. Complications attended the birth of this, the seventh child. Mary was so very ill for several weeks that Joseph remained at home. Jesus was very much occupied with errands for his father and with many duties occasioned by his mother’s serious illness. Never again did this youth find it possible to return to the childlike attitude of his earlier years. From the time of his mother’s illness—just before he was eleven years old—he was compelled to assume the responsibilities of the first-born son and to do all this one or two full years before these burdens should normally have fallen on his shoulders. 124:3.4 (1370.2) 在西元5年6月24日,星期三晚,猶大誕生了。第七個孩子的出生帶來了一些併發症。瑪利亞病重多達好幾個星期,於是約瑟夫留在家裡。耶穌忙於為他的父親跑腿,也忙於因母親重病所帶來的許多職責。這個年輕人發現再也不可能回到他早年的孩子般態度。從他母親生病的那一刻起——就在他十一歲之前——他被迫承擔起長子的責任,並在這些重擔通常應該落在他肩膀上的前整整一兩年來做這一切。 124:3.5 (1370.3) The chazan spent one evening each week with Jesus, helping him to master the Hebrew scriptures. He was greatly interested in the progress of his promising pupil; therefore was he willing to assist him in many ways. This Jewish pedagogue exerted a great influence upon this growing mind, but he was never able to comprehend why Jesus was so indifferent to all his suggestions regarding the prospects of going to Jerusalem to continue his education under the learned rabbis. 124:3.5 (1370.3) 領誦者每周花一個晚上與耶穌在一起,幫助他精通希伯來經文。他對於他這大有可為學生的進展非常感興趣;因此他願意以許多方式協助他。這個猶太教的教師在這個成長的心智上產生了巨大的影響,但他從未能理解為何耶穌對他提出有關前往耶路撒冷在博學拉比門下繼續受教育之可能性的所有建議如此漠不關心。 124:3.6 (1370.4) About the middle of May the lad accompanied his father on a business trip to Scythopolis, the chief Greek city of the Decapolis, the ancient Hebrew city of Beth-shean. On the way Joseph recounted much of the olden history of King Saul, the Philistines, and the subsequent events of Israel’s turbulent history. Jesus was tremendously impressed with the clean appearance and well-ordered arrangement of this so-called heathen city. He marveled at the open-air theater and admired the beautiful marble temple dedicated to the worship of the “heathen” gods. Joseph was much perturbed by the lad’s enthusiasm and sought to counteract these favorable impressions by extolling the beauty and grandeur of the Jewish temple at Jerusalem. Jesus had often gazed curiously upon this magnificent Greek city from the hill of Nazareth and had many times inquired about its extensive public works and ornate buildings, but his father had always sought to avoid answering these questions. Now they were face to face with the beauties of this gentile city, and Joseph could not gracefully ignore Jesus’ inquiries. 124:3.6 (1370.4) 大約在五月中旬,這個孩子陪他父親出差前往西拖波利,德卡波利斯的主要希臘城市,亦即古希伯來城貝特謝安。在路上,約瑟夫講述了掃羅王、非利士人的大部分古老歷史,以及以色列動蕩歷史的後續事件。耶穌對這個所謂異教徒城市的乾淨外觀和井然有序排列留下深刻印象。他對於露天劇場感到驚訝,並讚賞用來崇拜「異教」諸神的美麗大理石聖堂。約瑟夫因這個孩子的熱情感到非常不安,試圖藉由歌頌耶路撒冷猶太聖殿的美麗和莊嚴來抵消這些良好的印象。耶穌經常從拿撒勒的山上好奇地凝視這座壯麗的希臘城市,並多次詢問它廣闊的公共工程和華麗的建築,但他的父親總是設法避免回答這些問題。現在他們面對這座外邦人城市的美景,約瑟夫無法從容地忽略耶穌的詢問。 124:3.7 (1370.5) It so happened that just at this time the annual competitive games and public demonstrations of physical prowess between the Greek cities of the Decapolis were in progress at the Scythopolis amphitheater, and Jesus was insistent that his father take him to see the games, and he was so insistent that Joseph hesitated to deny him. The boy was thrilled with the games and entered most heartily into the spirit of the demonstrations of physical development and athletic skill. Joseph was inexpressibly shocked to observe his son’s enthusiasm as he beheld these exhibitions of “heathen” vaingloriousness. After the games were finished, Joseph received the surprise of his life when he heard Jesus express his approval of them and suggest that it would be good for the young men of Nazareth if they could be thus benefited by wholesome outdoor physical activities. Joseph talked earnestly and long with Jesus concerning the evil nature of such practices, but he well knew that the lad was unconvinced. 124:3.7 (1370.5) 碰巧就在這個時候,德卡波利斯的希臘城市間的體育競賽和體能公開展示正在西拖波利圓形劇場進行,耶穌堅持他父親帶他去看比賽,他是如此堅持以致約瑟夫不願拒絕他。這男孩對比賽感到激動,並衷心地投入到體格發展和運動技能所展示的精神之中。在觀察到他兒子看見這些「異教徒」虛榮心的展示時所表現出的熱情,約瑟夫感到難以言喻的震驚。在比賽結束之後,當約瑟夫聽到耶穌表達他對他們的認可,並建議如果拿撒勒的年輕人能藉由健康的戶外體育活動而因此受益,對於他們將會是件好事時,約瑟夫感到有生以來最大的訝異。約瑟夫就這類做法的邪惡本質與耶穌進行了認真且長時間地談畫,但他清楚地知道這小男孩並不信服。 124:3.8 (1371.1) The only time Jesus ever saw his father angry with him was that night in their room at the inn when, in the course of their discussions, the boy so far forgot the trends of Jewish thought as to suggest that they go back home and work for the building of an amphitheater at Nazareth. When Joseph heard his first-born son express such un-Jewish sentiments, he forgot his usual calm demeanor and, seizing Jesus by the shoulder, angrily exclaimed, “My son, never again let me hear you give utterance to such an evil thought as long as you live.” Jesus was startled by his father’s display of emotion; he had never before been made to feel the personal sting of his father’s indignation and was astonished and shocked beyond expression. He only replied, “Very well, my father, it shall be so.” And never again did the boy even in the slightest manner allude to the games and other athletic activities of the Greeks as long as his father lived. 124:3.8 (1371.1) 耶穌唯一一次見到他的父親對他發怒是那晚在旅店他們的房間裡,在他們交談過程中,這男孩竟然忘掉了猶太人思維傾向,而建議他們回家在拿撒勒建造一個圓形劇場。當約瑟夫聽到他的長子表達了這樣一種非猶太人的觀點時,他忘記了他平常冷靜的舉止,抓住耶穌的肩膀,憤怒的喊道,「我的兒子,只要你活著,不要再讓我聽到你說出這樣邪惡的想法。 」耶穌被他父親情緒的表現所驚嚇;他以前從未感到由他父親憤怒所引起的親身刺痛,所感到的訝異和震驚無法用言語表達。他只回答道,「好吧,我的父親,就這樣吧。 」從此之後,只要他父親還活著,這男孩再也沒有以絲毫方式提及希臘人的比賽及其它體育活動。 124:3.9 (1371.2) Later on, Jesus saw the Greek amphitheater at Jerusalem and learned how hateful such things were from the Jewish point of view. Nevertheless, throughout his life he endeavored to introduce the idea of wholesome recreation into his personal plans and, as far as Jewish practice would permit, into the later program of regular activities for his twelve apostles. 124:3.9 (1371.2) 後來,耶穌在耶路撒冷看到了希臘的圓形劇場,並得知從猶太人角度來看這類事情是多麼令人憎恨。然而,在他一生當中,他努力將有益健康的娛樂觀念介紹到他的個人計劃中,而且只要在猶太常規允許的範圍內,將其引入到他十二使徒後來的定期活動計劃中。 124:3.10 (1371.3) At the end of this eleventh year Jesus was a vigorous, well-developed, moderately humorous, and fairly lighthearted youth, but from this year on he was more and more given to peculiar seasons of profound meditation and serious contemplation. He was much given to thinking about how he was to carry out his obligations to his family and at the same time be obedient to the call of his mission to the world; already he had conceived that his ministry was not to be limited to the betterment of the Jewish people. 124:3.10 (1371.3) 在這第十一年結束時,耶穌是一個精力充沛、發展良好、適度幽默和無憂無慮的少年,但從這一年起,他越來越熱衷於深度冥想和嚴肅沉思的特殊時刻。他經常思考如何履行對他家人的義務,同時服從於他對世界使命的召喚;他已經構想他的侍奉不僅限於猶太民族的改善。 4. The Twelfth Year (A.D. 6) 4. 第十二年(西元6年) 124:4.1 (1371.4) This was an eventful year in Jesus’ life. He continued to make progress at school and was indefatigable in his study of nature, while increasingly he prosecuted his study of the methods whereby men make a living. He began doing regular work in the home carpenter shop and was permitted to manage his own earnings, a very unusual arrangement to obtain in a Jewish family. This year he also learned the wisdom of keeping such matters a secret in the family. He was becoming conscious of the way in which he had caused trouble in the village, and henceforth he became increasingly discreet in concealing everything which might cause him to be regarded as different from his fellows. 124:4.1 (1371.4) 這是在耶穌生命中充滿重大事件的一年。他在學校繼續取得進步,並孜孜不倦地研究自然,同時他越來越努力地研究人們謀生的方法。他開始在家中木匠店裡做固定的工作,並獲允許管理自己的收入,這在猶太人家庭中是一種罕見得以實現的安排。這一年他也學會了在家中將這類事情保密的智慧。他開始意識到自己在村落裡引起麻煩的方式,從此以後他在隱瞞每件或許會使他被視為與其同伴不同的事情上變得漸趨謹慎。 124:4.2 (1371.5) Throughout this year he experienced many seasons of uncertainty, if not actual doubt, regarding the nature of his mission. His naturally developing human mind did not yet fully grasp the reality of his dual nature. The fact that he had a single personality rendered it difficult for his consciousness to recognize the double origin of those factors which composed the nature associated with that selfsame personality. 124:4.2 (1371.5) 在這一整年當中,關於他的使命,他體驗到了許多不確定(如果不是實際上懷疑)時刻。他自然發展的人類心智尚未能充分掌握他雙重本性之實相。他擁有一個單一人格的事實,使他的意識很難識別出那些構成該同一人格相關本質之因素的雙重起源。 124:4.3 (1371.6) From this time on he became more successful in getting along with his brothers and sisters. He was increasingly tactful, always compassionate and considerate of their welfare and happiness, and enjoyed good relations with them up to the beginning of his public ministry. To be more explicit: He got along with James, Miriam, and the two younger (as yet unborn) children, Amos and Ruth, most excellently. He always got along with Martha fairly well. What trouble he had at home largely arose out of friction with Joseph and Jude, particularly the latter. 124:4.3 (1371.6) 從這時起,他在與他弟弟妹妹們相處方面變得更為成功。他變得漸趨得體,對他們的福祉和幸福始終富有同情心和考慮周詳,一直到他開始公開侍奉前,都和他們享有良好的關係。更為明確的說:他與詹姆斯、米利暗和兩個幼小的(尚未出生的)孩子——阿摩司和路得——相處最為融洽。他始終與馬大相處得很好。他在家中遇到的麻煩主要來自與與約瑟夫和猶大的摩擦,尤其是後者。 124:4.4 (1372.1) It was a trying experience for Joseph and Mary to undertake the rearing of this unprecedented combination of divinity and humanity, and they deserve great credit for so faithfully and successfully discharging their parental responsibilities. Increasingly Jesus’ parents realized that there was something superhuman resident within this eldest son, but they never even faintly dreamed that this son of promise was indeed and in truth the actual creator of this local universe of things and beings. Joseph and Mary lived and died without ever learning that their son Jesus really was the Universe Creator incarnate in mortal flesh. 124:4.4 (1372.1) 對於約瑟夫和瑪利亞來說,承擔起養育這一史無前例的神性與人性結合體是一個艱辛的經歷,他們如此忠實且成功地履行了他們父母的責任,值得高度讚賞。耶穌的父母逐漸地意識到有某種超人類的東西常駐在這長子之內,但他們甚至從未隱約夢想過這一應許之子確實且實際上是這一包含萬物眾生之地方宇宙的創造者。約瑟夫和瑪利亞經歷生死都不曾知道他們的兒子耶穌真的是化身為凡人肉身的宇宙造物者(Universe Creator)。 124:4.5 (1372.2) This year Jesus paid more attention than ever to music, and he continued to teach the home school for his brothers and sisters. It was at about this time that the lad became keenly conscious of the difference between the viewpoints of Joseph and Mary regarding the nature of his mission. He pondered much over his parents’ differing opinions, often hearing their discussions when they thought he was sound asleep. More and more he inclined to the view of his father, so that his mother was destined to be hurt by the realization that her son was gradually rejecting her guidance in matters having to do with his life career. And, as the years passed, this breach of understanding widened. Less and less did Mary comprehend the significance of Jesus’ mission, and increasingly was this good mother hurt by the failure of her favorite son to fulfill her fond expectations. 124:4.5 (1372.2) 這一年耶穌比以往都更專注於音樂,他繼續對他弟弟妹妹們講授在家教育。大約在這時,這個小男孩敏銳意識到了約瑟夫和瑪利亞對於他使命本質的觀點間的差異。他對他父母的不同觀點細思許久,經常在他們以為他已熟睡時聆聽他們的討論。他越來越傾向於他父親的觀點,因此他母親註定要因意識到她的兒子在涉及他畢生生涯事情上逐漸拒絕她的指導而受傷。隨著歲月的流逝,這種理解的裂痕擴大。瑪利亞越來越不理解耶穌使命的重要性,這位好母親也因她最喜愛的兒子未能實現她喜好的期望而越來越受傷。 124:4.6 (1372.3) Joseph entertained a growing belief in the spiritual nature of Jesus’ mission. And but for other and more important reasons it does seem unfortunate that he could not have lived to see the fulfillment of his concept of Jesus’ bestowal on earth. 124:4.6 (1372.3) 約瑟夫對耶穌使命的屬靈本質懷有一種漸增的信念。假若沒有其它更為重要的理由,他未能活著看見他所持有的關於耶穌在世上贈與之概念的實現,這的確似乎是不幸的。 124:4.7 (1372.4) During his last year at school, when he was twelve years old, Jesus remonstrated with his father about the Jewish custom of touching the bit of parchment nailed upon the doorpost each time on going into, or coming out of, the house and then kissing the finger that touched the parchment. As a part of this ritual it was customary to say, “The Lord shall preserve our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and even forevermore.” Joseph and Mary had repeatedly instructed Jesus as to the reasons for not making images or drawing pictures, explaining that such creations might be used for idolatrous purposes. Though Jesus failed fully to grasp their proscriptions against images and pictures, he possessed a high concept of consistency and therefore pointed out to his father the essentially idolatrous nature of this habitual obeisance to the doorpost parchment. And Joseph removed the parchment after Jesus had thus remonstrated with him. 124:4.7 (1372.4) 在耶穌求學的最後一年,那時他十二歲,他向他父親抗議猶太人習俗,即每次進出家門時觸碰釘在門柱上一小塊羊皮紙,然後親吻觸碰羊皮紙的手指。作為這個儀式的一部分,習慣上要說,「上主保佑我們出入,從今時直到永遠。」 約瑟夫和瑪利亞曾一再教導耶穌不製作雕像和不繪畫人像的原因,解釋說這類創作可能被用於偶像崇拜目的。儘管耶穌未能完全理解他們反對雕像和人像的禁令,但他擁有高度的一致性概念,因此向他父親指出,這種習慣性地向門柱羊皮紙敬禮在實質上具有偶像崇拜的本質。在耶穌這樣向約瑟夫抗議後,他移除了羊皮紙。 124:4.8 (1372.5) As time passed, Jesus did much to modify their practice of religious forms, such as the family prayers and other customs. And it was possible to do many such things at Nazareth, for its synagogue was under the influence of a liberal school of rabbis, exemplified by the renowned Nazareth teacher, Jose. 124:4.8 (1372.5) 隨著時間流逝,耶穌對他們宗教形式的實踐做了許多修改,例如家庭祈禱和其他習俗。在拿撒勒做許多這樣的事是可能的,因為它的猶太會堂受到拉比自由學派的影響,以著名的拿撒勒導師何塞(Jose)為代表。 124:4.9 (1372.6) Throughout this and the two following years Jesus suffered great mental distress as the result of his constant effort to adjust his personal views of religious practices and social amenities to the established beliefs of his parents. He was distraught by the conflict between the urge to be loyal to his own convictions and the conscientious admonition of dutiful submission to his parents; his supreme conflict was between two great commands which were uppermost in his youthful mind. The one was: “Be loyal to the dictates of your highest convictions of truth and righteousness.” The other was: “Honor your father and mother, for they have given you life and the nurture thereof.” However, he never shirked the responsibility of making the necessary daily adjustments between these realms of loyalty to one’s personal convictions and duty toward one’s family, and he achieved the satisfaction of effecting an increasingly harmonious blending of personal convictions and family obligations into a masterful concept of group solidarity based upon loyalty, fairness, tolerance, and love. 124:4.9 (1372.6) 在這一整年和接下來兩年中,耶穌遭受了極大精神痛苦,因為他不斷努力調整他個人對宗教實踐和社交禮儀的看法以適應他父母既定的信仰。他因忠於他自己信念的驅策和孝順服從他父母的良心告誡之間的衝突而感到心煩意亂;他最大的衝突是他年輕心智中最主要的兩大命令之間。一個是:「要忠於你對於真理和正義之最高信念的指令。」另一個是:「要孝敬你的父母,因為他們給了你生命並養育它。」然而,他從未逃避在忠於個人信念和對家庭責任這些領域間做出必要日常調整的責任,並且他獲得了令人滿意的成就,實現了將個人信念和家庭義務逐漸融合成一種基於忠誠、公平、寬容和愛的集體團結的精湛概念。 5. His Thirteenth Year (A.D. 7) 5. 他第十三年(西元7年) 124:5.1 (1373.1) In this year the lad of Nazareth passed from boyhood to the beginning of young manhood; his voice began to change, and other features of mind and body gave evidence of the oncoming status of manhood. 124:5.1 (1373.1) 在這年當中,這個拿撒勒的小男孩從少年時期進入到青年時期的開始;他的聲音開始變化,心智和身體的其它特徵也表明了即將到來的成年狀態。 124:5.2 (1373.2) On Sunday night, January 9, A.D. 7, his baby brother, Amos, was born. Jude was not yet two years of age, and the baby sister, Ruth, was yet to come; so it may be seen that Jesus had a sizable family of small children left to his watchcare when his father met his accidental death the following year. 124:5.2 (1373.2) 在西元7年1月9日星期天晚上,他的新生弟弟阿摩司誕生了。猶大還不到兩歲,嬰兒妹妹路得還沒出生;因此,可以看出,當耶穌的父親在下一年遭遇其意外死亡時,耶穌有一個由小孩組成的相當大的家庭需要他看顧。 124:5.3 (1373.3) It was about the middle of February that Jesus became humanly assured that he was destined to perform a mission on earth for the enlightenment of man and the revelation of God. Momentous decisions, coupled with far-reaching plans, were formulating in the mind of this youth, who was, to outward appearances, an average Jewish lad of Nazareth. The intelligent life of all Nebadon looked on with fascination and amazement as all this began to unfold in the thinking and acting of the now adolescent carpenter’s son. 124:5.3 (1373.3) 大約在二月中旬,耶穌從人類角度確信,他註定在世上為人類的啟蒙和神的啟示執行一項使命。重大的決定再加上影響深遠的計劃,逐漸在這個年輕人的心智中形成,而這年輕人從外表上看來只是一個普通的拿撒勒猶太小夥子。隨著這一切開始在這位現在為青少年的木匠之子的思考和行動中展開,所有內巴頓的智能生命都以著迷和驚奇的眼光注視著。 124:5.4 (1373.4) On the first day of the week, March 20, A.D. 7, Jesus graduated from the course of training in the local school connected with the Nazareth synagogue. This was a great day in the life of any ambitious Jewish family, the day when the first-born son was pronounced a “son of the commandment” and the ransomed first-born of the Lord God of Israel, a “child of the Most High” and servant of the Lord of all the earth. 124:5.4 (1373.4) 在西元7年3月20日,一周的第一天,耶穌從與拿撒勒猶太會堂有關的當地學校的培訓課程畢業了。 在任何一個雄心勃勃的猶太家庭生活中,這都是一個偉大的日子,這天這長子被宣佈為「誡命之子」以及以色列上主神的贖回長子,一個「極高者之子」和全地之上主的僕人。 124:5.5 (1373.5) Friday of the week before, Joseph had come over from Sepphoris, where he was in charge of the work on a new public building, to be present on this glad occasion. Jesus’ teacher confidently believed that his alert and diligent pupil was destined to some outstanding career, some distinguished mission. The elders, notwithstanding all their trouble with Jesus’ nonconformist tendencies, were very proud of the lad and had already begun laying plans which would enable him to go to Jerusalem to continue his education in the renowned Hebrew academies. 124:5.5 (1373.5) 前一周的星期五,約瑟夫已從塞弗瑞斯過來,以便出席這個歡喜的場合,那時他在塞弗瑞斯負責一個新公共建築的工作。耶穌的老師確信他機敏而勤奮的學生註定會有某種傑出的生涯,某種非凡的使命。長老們儘管對耶穌不遵循常規的傾向感到苦惱,但卻都為這小男孩感到驕傲,並已開始制定計劃,讓他能前往耶路撒冷,在著名的希伯來學院繼續他的教育。 124:5.6 (1373.6) As Jesus heard these plans discussed from time to time, he became increasingly sure that he would never go to Jerusalem to study with the rabbis. But he little dreamed of the tragedy, so soon to occur, which would insure the abandonment of all such plans by causing him to assume the responsibility for the support and direction of a large family, presently to consist of five brothers and three sisters as well as his mother and himself. Jesus had a larger and longer experience rearing this family than was accorded to Joseph, his father; and he did measure up to the standard which he subsequently set for himself: to become a wise, patient, understanding, and effective teacher and eldest brother to this family—his family—so suddenly sorrow-stricken and so unexpectedly bereaved. 124:5.6 (1373.6) 隨著耶穌不時聽到這些討論的計劃,他越來越確定他決不會前往耶路撒冷與拉比們一起學習。但他做夢也沒想到將使他放棄所有這些計劃的悲劇這麼快就發生,因為他需承擔對一個大家庭的供養和管理責任,這個大家庭不久就包括有五個弟弟,三個妹妹,以及他的母親和他自己。與他父親約瑟夫所經歷的相比,耶穌養育這個家庭的經歷規模更大且時間更長;他確實達到了他隨後為他自己設定的標準:成為這個家庭——他的家庭——的智慧、耐心、體諒和有效的教師和長兄,這個如此突然悲痛欲絕和如此意外喪失親人的家庭。 6. The Journey to Jerusalem 6. 耶路撒冷之旅 124:6.1 (1374.1) Jesus, having now reached the threshold of young manhood and having been formally graduated from the synagogue schools, was qualified to proceed to Jerusalem with his parents to participate with them in the celebration of his first Passover. The Passover feast of this year fell on Saturday, April 9, A.D. 7. A considerable company (103) made ready to depart from Nazareth early Monday morning, April 4, for Jerusalem. They journeyed south toward Samaria, but on reaching Jezreel, they turned east, going around Mount Gilboa into the Jordan valley in order to avoid passing through Samaria. Joseph and his family would have enjoyed going down through Samaria by way of Jacob’s well and Bethel, but since the Jews disliked to deal with the Samaritans, they decided to go with their neighbors by way of the Jordan valley. 124:6.1 (1374.1) 耶穌現在已踏入青年期門檻並已正式從猶太會堂學校畢業,它有資格與他父母一起前往耶路撒冷,和他們一起參與慶祝他的第一個逾越節。這一年的逾越節慶祝落在西元7年4月9日星期六。4月4日星期一大早,一個相當大的隊伍(103人)準備好從拿撒勒出發前往耶路撒冷。他們朝著撒瑪利亞南行,但在抵達耶斯列時,他們轉向東面,繞過基利波山進入約旦河谷,以避免通過撒瑪利亞。約瑟夫和他家人本可享受經由雅各井和伯特利往下通過撒瑪利亞,但由於猶太人不喜歡與撒瑪利亞人打交道,他們決定與他們的鄰居經由約旦河谷前往。 124:6.2 (1374.2) The much-dreaded Archelaus had been deposed, and they had little to fear in taking Jesus to Jerusalem. Twelve years had passed since the first Herod had sought to destroy the babe of Bethlehem, and no one would now think of associating that affair with this obscure lad of Nazareth. 124:6.2 (1374.2) 十分令人畏懼的阿基勞斯已被廢黜,他們已不怎麼害怕帶耶穌去耶路撒冷。自從最早的希律王試圖毀掉這個伯利恆的嬰兒以來,十二年過去了,現在沒人會想到把這個不起眼的的拿撒勒小男孩與那件事聯想再一起。 124:6.3 (1374.3) Before reaching the Jezreel junction, and as they journeyed on, very soon, on the left, they passed the ancient village of Shunem, and Jesus heard again about the most beautiful maiden of all Israel who once lived there and also about the wonderful works Elisha performed there. In passing by Jezreel, Jesus’ parents recounted the doings of Ahab and Jezebel and the exploits of Jehu. In passing around Mount Gilboa, they talked much about Saul, who took his life on the slopes of this mountain, King David, and the associations of this historic spot. 124:6.3 (1374.3) 在抵達耶斯列交叉口之前,隨著他們前行,不久,在左側,他們路過了古老的書念村,耶穌再次聽到了關於曾住在那裡的全以色列最美少女,以及關於以利沙在那所做的出色工作。在途經耶斯列時,耶穌父母詳述了亞哈和耶洗別所做之事,以及耶戶的功績。在繞過基利波山時,他們談論了許多關於在這座山的山坡上結束自己生命的掃羅王的事,還有大衛王以及與這一歷史地點相關聯的事。 124:6.4 (1374.4) As they rounded the base of Gilboa, the pilgrims could see the Greek city of Scythopolis on the right. They gazed upon the marble structures from a distance but went not near the gentile city lest they so defile themselves that they could not participate in the forthcoming solemn and sacred ceremonies of the Passover at Jerusalem. Mary could not understand why neither Joseph nor Jesus would speak of Scythopolis. She did not know about their controversy of the previous year as they had never revealed this episode to her. 124:6.4 (1374.4) 隨著他們繞過基利波山山腳,朝聖者們可以看到右邊的希臘城市西拖波利。他們從遠處凝視著大理石建築,但卻沒有靠近這座外邦人城市,惟恐玷污了自己而無法參加即將在耶路撒冷舉行的莊嚴而神聖的逾越節儀式。瑪利亞不明白爲什麼約瑟夫和耶穌都不願談論西拖波利。她並不知道他們前一年的爭議,因為他們從未向她透露這一事件。 124:6.5 (1374.5) The road now led immediately down into the tropical Jordan valley, and soon Jesus was to have exposed to his wondering gaze the crooked and ever-winding Jordan with its glistening and rippling waters as it flowed down toward the Dead Sea. They laid aside their outer garments as they journeyed south in this tropical valley, enjoying the luxurious fields of grain and the beautiful oleanders laden with their pink blossoms, while massive snow-capped Mount Hermon stood far to the north, in majesty looking down on the historic valley. A little over three hours’ travel from opposite Scythopolis they came upon a bubbling spring, and here they camped for the night, out under the starlit heavens. 124:6.5 (1374.5) 此時,道路立即往下通向酷熱的約旦河谷,不久,即將映入耶穌驚奇注視之下的是彎曲且不斷蜿蜒的約旦河,伴隨其波光粼粼的河水往下流向死海。隨著他們在這個酷熱山谷向南行進,他們脫下他們的外衣,享受著富饒的穀地和開滿粉紅色花朵的美麗夾竹桃,而巨大白雪皚皚的黑門山則矗立在遙遠的北方,雄偉地俯瞰這個有歷史意義的河谷。從西拖波利相反方向走三個多小時後,他們來到了一個湧泉,在繁星點點的天空下,他們在此露營過夜。 124:6.6 (1374.6) On their second day’s journey they passed by where the Jabbok, from the east, flows into the Jordan, and looking east up this river valley, they recounted the days of Gideon, when the Midianites poured into this region to overrun the land. Toward the end of the second day’s journey they camped near the base of the highest mountain overlooking the Jordan valley, Mount Sartaba, whose summit was occupied by the Alexandrian fortress where Herod had imprisoned one of his wives and buried his two strangled sons. 124:6.6 (1374.6) 在他們第二天的旅程中,他們經過了雅博河從東邊流入約旦河之地,向東眺望這一河谷,他們詳述了基甸(Gideon)時代,那時米甸人湧入這個地區來蹂躪這片土地。在第二天旅程接近尾聲時,他們在俯瞰約旦河谷的最高山脈——薩塔巴山——的山腳附近露營,該山山頂被亞歷山大堡壘所佔據,希律王曾在這裡囚禁了他的一位妻子,並埋葬了他兩個被絞死的兒子。 124:6.7 (1375.1) The third day they passed by two villages which had been recently built by Herod and noted their superior architecture and their beautiful palm gardens. By nightfall they reached Jericho, where they remained until the morrow. That evening Joseph, Mary, and Jesus walked a mile and a half to the site of the ancient Jericho, where Joshua, for whom Jesus was named, had performed his renowned exploits, according to Jewish tradition. 124:6.7 (1375.1) 第三天,他們經過希律王最近建造的兩個村莊,並注意到它們優秀的建築和它們美麗的棕櫚園。傍晚時分,他們抵達了耶利哥,他們待在那裡直到隔日。那晚,約瑟夫、瑪利亞和耶穌步行了約兩公里半到古耶利哥遺址,依照猶太人傳說,約書亞(耶穌是以他的名字命名的)在此完成了他著名的英勇事蹟。 124:6.8 (1375.2) By the fourth and last day’s journey the road was a continuous procession of pilgrims. They now began to climb the hills leading up to Jerusalem. As they neared the top, they could look across the Jordan to the mountains beyond and south over the sluggish waters of the Dead Sea. About halfway up to Jerusalem, Jesus gained his first view of the Mount of Olives (the region to be so much a part of his subsequent life), and Joseph pointed out to him that the Holy City lay just beyond this ridge, and the lad’s heart beat fast with joyous anticipation of soon beholding the city and house of his heavenly Father. 124:6.8 (1375.2) 到第四天,也是最後一天的旅程,路上是綿延不絕的朝聖隊伍。他們此時開始爬上通向耶路撒冷的山丘。隨著他們靠近山頂,他們可以看到約旦河對面的山脈,以及向南看到死海的緩慢水流。大約在通往耶路撒冷的半途上,耶穌第一次看到了橄欖山(該地區將成為他隨後生活的重要部分),約瑟夫向他指出,聖城(Holy City)就在這座山脊的另一邊,這個小男孩的心跳得很快,喜悅地期待著即將看到他天父的城市和住所。 124:6.9 (1375.3) On the eastern slopes of Olivet they paused for rest in the borders of a little village called Bethany. The hospitable villagers poured forth to minister to the pilgrims, and it happened that Joseph and his family had stopped near the house of one Simon, who had three children about the same age as Jesus—Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They invited the Nazareth family in for refreshment, and a lifelong friendship sprang up between the two families. Many times afterward, in his eventful life, Jesus stopped in this home. 124:6.9 (1375.3) 在橄欖山的東面山坡上,他們在一個名叫伯大尼的小村莊邊界停下來休息。好客的村民紛紛前來為朝聖者服務,約瑟夫和他家人碰巧在一位西門的家附近停了下來,西門有三個和耶穌年紀相仿的孩子——瑪利亞、馬大和拉撒路。他們邀請這拿撒勒家庭進屋享用茶點,於是這兩個家庭間建立了終生的友誼。此後,在耶穌多采多姿的一生中,他曾多次在這個家停留。 124:6.10 (1375.4) They pressed on, soon standing on the brink of Olivet, and Jesus saw for the first time (in his memory) the Holy City, the pretentious palaces, and the inspiring temple of his Father. At no time in his life did Jesus ever experience such a purely human thrill as that which at this time so completely enthralled him as he stood there on this April afternoon on the Mount of Olives, drinking in his first view of Jerusalem. And in after years, on this same spot he stood and wept over the city which was about to reject another prophet, the last and the greatest of her heavenly teachers. 124:6.10 (1375.4) 他們繼續前進,不久便站在橄欖山的邊緣,耶穌第一次(在他記憶中)見到了聖城,那炫耀的宮殿和他的「父」激勵人心的聖殿。耶穌在他一生中從未經歷過如此般純人性的激動,在這四月的下午站在橄欖山的這一刻,他完全著迷,陶醉在其第一次看到耶路撒冷的景色中。多年後,他站在這同一地點,為這個將要拒絕另一位先知——她的天界導師中最後也是最偉大的一位——的城市哭泣。 124:6.11 (1375.5) But they hurried on to Jerusalem. It was now Thursday afternoon. On reaching the city, they journeyed past the temple, and never had Jesus beheld such throngs of human beings. He meditated deeply on how these Jews had assembled here from the uttermost parts of the known world. 124:6.11 (1375.5) 但他們急著趕往耶路撒冷。現在是星期四下午。在抵達城市時,他們路過了聖殿,耶穌從未見過如此大批的人群。他深深地沉思著這些猶太人如何從已知世界的最遙遠處聚集到這裡。 124:6.12 (1375.6) Soon they reached the place prearranged for their accommodation during the Passover week, the large home of a well-to-do relative of Mary’s, one who knew something of the early history of both John and Jesus, through Zacharias. The following day, the day of preparation, they made ready for the appropriate celebration of the Passover Sabbath. 124:6.12 (1375.6) 不久他們抵達了在逾越節周期間為他們預先安排好的住處——瑪利亞的一位富有親戚的大房子,這位親戚透過撒迦利亞了解約翰和耶穌早期歷史的一些事。第二天,也就是準備日,他們為逾越節安息日的適當慶祝做好準備。 124:6.13 (1375.7) While all Jerusalem was astir in preparation for the Passover, Joseph found time to take his son around to visit the academy where it had been arranged for him to resume his education two years later, as soon as he reached the required age of fifteen. Joseph was truly puzzled when he observed how little interest Jesus evinced in all these carefully laid plans. 124:6.13 (1375.7) 當整個耶路撒冷都在為逾越節的準備動起來時,約瑟夫抽空帶他兒子四處走走,參觀已經為他安排好的學院,兩年後一但他達到十五歲的所需年齡時就可在此繼續其教育。當約瑟夫觀察到耶穌對精心制定的計劃表現出如此不感興趣時,他真的感到困惑。 124:6.14 (1375.8) Jesus was profoundly impressed by the temple and all the associated services and other activities. For the first time since he was four years old, he was too much preoccupied with his own meditations to ask many questions. He did, however, ask his father several embarrassing questions (as he had on previous occasions) as to why the heavenly Father required the slaughter of so many innocent and helpless animals. And his father well knew from the expression on the lad’s face that his answers and attempts at explanation were unsatisfactory to his deep-thinking and keen-reasoning son. 124:6.14 (1375.8) 耶穌對聖殿和所有相關禮拜及其它活動印象深刻。自從他四歲以來,他第一次太過全神貫注於他自己的沈思,以致沒有問太多問題。然而,關於為何天父要求屠殺那麼多無辜和無助的動物,他確實問了他父親幾個令人尷尬的問題(就如同他在之前場合所做的那樣)。而他的父親從這小男孩的臉部表情清楚地知道,他那深思熟慮和推理敏銳的兒子並不滿意他的答案和嘗試解釋。 124:6.15 (1376.1) On the day before the Passover Sabbath, flood tides of spiritual illumination swept through the mortal mind of Jesus and filled his human heart to overflowing with affectionate pity for the spiritually blind and morally ignorant multitudes assembled for the celebration of the ancient Passover commemoration. This was one of the most extraordinary days that the Son of God spent in the flesh; and during the night, for the first time in his earth career, there appeared to him an assigned messenger from Salvington, commissioned by Immanuel, who said: “The hour has come. It is time that you began to be about your Father’s business.” 124:6.15 (1376.1) 在逾越節安息日前一天,靈性光照的洪流席捲了耶穌的凡人心智,充滿了他的人類內心,使其對聚集起來為慶祝古老逾越節紀念的屬靈盲目和道德無知的人群,洋溢出深情的憐憫。這是神之子在肉身中度過最為非凡的日子之一;夜間,在他塵世生涯中,第一次有一位由以馬內利所委任、來自薩爾文頓的受指派使者出現在他面前,說道:「時候到了,是你開始從事你『父』的事的時候了。 」 124:6.16 (1376.2) And so, even ere the heavy responsibilities of the Nazareth family descended upon his youthful shoulders, there now arrived the celestial messenger to remind this lad, not quite thirteen years of age, that the hour had come to begin the resumption of the responsibilities of a universe. This was the first act of a long succession of events which finally culminated in the completion of the Son’s bestowal on Urantia and the replacing of “the government of a universe on his human-divine shoulders.” 124:6.16 (1376.2) 就這樣,甚至在拿撒勒家庭的沉重責任落在他年輕的肩膀上之前,天界使者現在也來提醒這個不到十三歲的小男孩開始恢復宇宙職責的時刻已到來。 這是漫長一連串事件中的第一步,而這一連串事件最終以聖子在玉苒廈上贈與之完成,以及「在其兼具人性與神性肩膀上宇宙政府」之重新歸還而達到巔峰。 124:6.17 (1376.3) As time passed, the mystery of the incarnation became, to all of us, more and more unfathomable. We could hardly comprehend that this lad of Nazareth was the creator of all Nebadon. Neither do we nowadays understand how the spirit of this same Creator Son and the spirit of his Paradise Father are associated with the souls of mankind. With the passing of time, we could see that his human mind was increasingly discerning that, while he lived his life in the flesh, in spirit on his shoulders rested the responsibility of a universe. 124:6.17 (1376.3) 隨著時間流逝,化身的奧秘對所有我們來說都變得越來越深不可測。我們很難理解這個拿撒勒的小男孩是整個內巴頓的創造者。我們現今也不明白,這同一位造物聖子的靈和他天堂父親的靈是如何與人類的靈魂相關聯。伴隨時間流逝,我們可以看到,當他在肉身中過著他的生活時,他的人類心智越來越能辨識出,在靈性上,他的肩膀肩負著宇宙的職責。 124:6.18 (1376.4) Thus ends the career of the Nazareth lad, and begins the narrative of that adolescent youth—the increasingly self-conscious divine human—who now begins the contemplation of his world career as he strives to integrate his expanding life purpose with the desires of his parents and his obligations to his family and the society of his day and age. 124:6.18 (1376.4) 就這樣結束了這拿撒勒小男孩的生涯,那位現在開始沈思其世界生涯的青少年——日益自覺的神性人類——的敘事開始了,他努力將他那不斷擴展的人生目標,與他父母的渴望和他對家庭及其時代社會的義務整合在一起。

16. elo 2024 - 36 min
jakson 第123篇 耶穌的早期童年 kansikuva

第123篇 耶穌的早期童年

Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/聽聽《玉苒廈之書》––-第四部分/id1758596036] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/27Q4DX940tDz9Xpk9zdBZN?si=35cbb00eb95a4a95] Youtube [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_YC5HbVczI-JnOl5e6d5sg6givfXh7QA&si=u8iPj8b7WlXM3VGG] Paper 123 The Early Childhood of Jesus 第123篇 耶穌的早期童年 123:0.1 (1355.1) OWING to the uncertainties and anxieties of their sojourn in Bethlehem, Mary did not wean the babe until they had arrived safely in Alexandria, where the family was able to settle down to a normal life. They lived with kinsfolk, and Joseph was well able to support his family as he secured work shortly after their arrival. He was employed as a carpenter for several months and then elevated to the position of foreman of a large group of workmen employed on one of the public buildings then in process of construction. This new experience gave him the idea of becoming a contractor and builder after their return to Nazareth. 123:0.1 (1355.1) 由於他們在伯利恆旅居的不確定性和焦慮,瑪利亞直到他們安全抵達亞歷山卓才讓嬰兒斷奶,在那裡一家人才得以安頓下來過著正常的生活。他們與親戚住在一起,約瑟夫在他們到達後不久就找到了工作,所以能夠充分地維持他家庭的生計。他受雇為木匠幾個月,然後被提升為一大群工人的領班,這些工人受雇於當時施工中的一棟公共建築。這一新的經歷使他產生了在他們返回拿撒勒後成為一名承包商和建築商的想法。 123:0.2 (1355.2) All through these early years of Jesus’ helpless infancy, Mary maintained one long and constant vigil lest anything befall her child which might jeopardize his welfare or in any way interfere with his future mission on earth; no mother was ever more devoted to her child. In the home where Jesus chanced to be there were two other children about his age, and among the near neighbors there were six others whose ages were sufficiently near his own to make them acceptable play-fellows. At first Mary was disposed to keep Jesus close by her side. She feared something might happen to him if he were allowed to play in the garden with the other children, but Joseph, with the assistance of his kinsfolk, was able to convince her that such a course would deprive Jesus of the helpful experience of learning how to adjust himself to children of his own age. And Mary, realizing that such a program of undue sheltering and unusual protection might tend to make him self-conscious and somewhat self-centered, finally gave assent to the plan of permitting the child of promise to grow up just like any other child; and though she was obedient to this decision, she made it her business always to be on watch while the little folks were at play about the house or in the garden. Only an affectionate mother can know the burden that Mary carried in her heart for the safety of her son during these years of his infancy and early childhood. 123:0.2 (1355.2) 在耶穌無助嬰兒期的這些早期歲月中,瑪利亞保持了一種長期不斷的警戒,以免任何可能危及他的福祉或以任何方式干擾他未來在世間的使命的事發生到她的孩子身上;沒有哪位母親比她更投入在她的孩子上。在耶穌恰巧待在的家中,有另外兩個和他年齡相仿的孩子,而在附近的鄰居中,有另外六個孩子,他們的年齡與他相近到足以使他們成為可接受的玩伴。起初,瑪利亞傾向於讓耶穌留在她身邊。她擔心如果允許他和其他孩子一起在花園裡玩耍,他可能會發生什麼意外,但約瑟夫在他的親戚的幫助下,能夠說服她,這樣的過程會剝奪耶穌學習如何適應同年齡孩子的有益經驗。瑪麗亞意識到,這種過度的庇護和不尋常的保護計劃可能會使他變得不自在和某種程度的自我中心,最終同意讓這應許之子就像任何其他孩子一樣成長的計劃;雖然她順從了這個決定,但當小孩子們在房子周圍或在花園裡玩耍時,她總是使自己保持警戒。只有一位充滿深情的母親才能知道瑪麗亞在兒子嬰兒和早期童年期的這些年裡,為她兒子的安全所承擔的重任。 123:0.3 (1355.3) Throughout the two years of their sojourn at Alexandria, Jesus enjoyed good health and continued to grow normally. Aside from a few friends and relatives no one was told about Jesus’ being a “child of promise.” One of Joseph’s relatives revealed this to a few friends in Memphis, descendants of the distant Ikhnaton, and they, with a small group of Alexandrian believers, assembled at the palatial home of Joseph’s relative-benefactor a short time before the return to Palestine to wish the Nazareth family well and to pay their respects to the child. On this occasion the assembled friends presented Jesus with a complete copy of the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures. But this copy of the Jewish sacred writings was not placed in Joseph’s hands until both he and Mary had finally declined the invitation of their Memphis and Alexandrian friends to remain in Egypt. These believers insisted that the child of destiny would be able to exert a far greater world influence as a resident of Alexandria than of any designated place in Palestine. These persuasions delayed their departure for Palestine for some time after they received the news of Herod’s death. 123:0.3 (1355.3) 在他們旅居亞歷山卓的兩年中,耶穌享有良好的健康,持續正常成長。除了少數朋友和親戚外,沒人被告知耶穌是一個「應許之子。」 約瑟夫的一個親戚將這透露給了孟菲斯的幾個朋友,他們是久遠的阿肯那頓的後代,他們和一小群亞歷山卓的信徒,在這拿撒勒家庭返回巴勒斯坦前不久,聚在約瑟夫親戚恩人(relative-benefactor)的華麗家中,祝福拿撒勒家庭並向這個孩子表達他們的敬意。在這一場合,聚集的朋友們贈送給耶穌希伯來經文之希臘文譯本的完整抄本。不過這本猶太聖書直到約瑟夫和瑪利亞最終拒絕了他們孟菲斯和亞歷山卓好友留在埃及的邀請後,才交到約瑟夫手中。這些信徒堅持這個天命之子作為亞歷山卓的居民將會比作為巴勒斯坦任何選定地方的居民產生一種更大的世界影響力。這些遊說使他們在收到希律死亡的消息後,延遲了一段時間才動身前往巴勒斯坦。 123:0.4 (1356.1) Joseph and Mary finally took leave of Alexandria on a boat belonging to their friend Ezraeon, bound for Joppa, arriving at that port late in August of the year 4 B.C. They went directly to Bethlehem, where they spent the entire month of September in counsel with their friends and relatives concerning whether they should remain there or return to Nazareth. 123:0.4 (1356.1) 約瑟夫和瑪利亞最終搭乘一艘屬於他們朋友以斯拉恩(Ezraeon)的船離開亞歷山卓,開往約帕(Joppa),並在西元前4年8月下旬抵達該港口。他們直接前往伯利恆,他們整個九月份都待在那,和他們的親戚朋友商議是否他們應該留在那邊還是返回拿撒勒。 123:0.5 (1356.2) Mary had never fully given up the idea that Jesus ought to grow up in Bethlehem, the City of David. Joseph did not really believe that their son was to become a kingly deliverer of Israel. Besides, he knew that he himself was not really a descendant of David; that his being reckoned among the offspring of David was due to the adoption of one of his ancestors into the Davidic line of descent. Mary, of course, thought the City of David the most appropriate place in which the new candidate for David’s throne could be reared, but Joseph preferred to take chances with Herod Antipas rather than with his brother Archelaus. He entertained great fears for the child’s safety in Bethlehem or in any other city in Judea, and surmised that Archelaus would be more likely to pursue the menacing policies of his father, Herod, than would Antipas in Galilee. And besides all these reasons, Joseph was outspoken in his preference for Galilee as a better place in which to rear and educate the child, but it required three weeks to overcome Mary’s objections. 123:0.5 (1356.2) 瑪利亞從未完全放棄耶穌應在大衛之城伯利恆長大的想法。約瑟夫並未真正相信他們兒子將成為以色列的一位具君主地位的拯救者。此外,他知道他自己並不真的是大衛的後代;他知道他被列為大衛的後裔是由於他的一位祖先被收養到大衛的血統中。當然,瑪利亞認為大衛之城是培養大衛寶座新候選人最合適的地方,但約瑟夫寧願將機會放在希律·安提帕斯身上,而不是放在他的兄長阿基勞斯身上。他非常擔心孩子在伯利恆或猶太任何其它城市的安全,並推測阿基勞斯比加利利的安提帕斯更可能追隨他父親希律的險惡政策。而且除了所有這些原因之外,約瑟夫坦率表示他更偏愛加利利為一個養育和教育孩子更好的地方,但花了三個星期才克服瑪利亞的反對。 123:0.6 (1356.3) By the first of October Joseph had convinced Mary and all their friends that it was best for them to return to Nazareth. Accordingly, early in October, 4 B.C., they departed from Bethlehem for Nazareth, going by way of Lydda and Scythopolis. They started out early one Sunday morning, Mary and the child riding on their newly acquired beast of burden, while Joseph and five accompanying kinsmen proceeded on foot; Joseph’s relatives refused to permit them to make the trip to Nazareth alone. They feared to go to Galilee by Jerusalem and the Jordan valley, and the western routes were not altogether safe for two lone travelers with a child of tender years. 123:0.6 (1356.3) 到了10月1日,約瑟夫已經說服了瑪利亞和所有他們的朋友,返回拿撒勒對他們來說是最好的。因此,西元前4年10月上旬,他們從伯利恆離開前往拿撒勒,途經呂大(Lydda)和西拖波利(Scythopolis)。他們在一個星期天的清晨出發,瑪利亞和孩子騎著他們新獲得的馱獸,而約瑟夫則和五個陪伴的親戚步行前進;約瑟夫的親戚拒絕讓他們獨自前往拿撒勒。他們擔心對於帶一個年幼孩子的兩位孤獨旅者來說,經由耶路撒冷和約旦河谷前往加利利以及西部路線並非完全安全。 1. Back in Nazareth 1. 回到拿撒勒 123:1.1 (1356.4) On the fourth day of the journey the party reached its destination in safety. They arrived unannounced at the Nazareth home, which had been occupied for more than three years by one of Joseph’s married brothers, who was indeed surprised to see them; so quietly had they gone about their business that neither the family of Joseph nor that of Mary knew they had even left Alexandria. The next day Joseph’s brother moved his family, and Mary, for the first time since Jesus’ birth, settled down with her little family to enjoy life in their own home. In less than a week Joseph secured work as a carpenter, and they were supremely happy. 123:1.1 (1356.4) 在行程第四天,一行人安全抵達目的地。他們悄悄地抵達拿撒勒的家,這個家已被約瑟夫一個已婚兄弟佔用了三年多,他看到他們時的確很吃驚;他們如此安靜行事,以致於約瑟夫和瑪利亞的家族都不知他們甚至已經離開了亞歷山卓。隔天,約瑟夫的兄弟搬家了,而瑪利亞自耶穌誕生以來第一次與她的小家庭安定下來,在他們自己家中享受生活。在不到一周時間里,約瑟夫找到了一個木匠工作,他們極為高興。 123:1.2 (1356.5) Jesus was about three years and two months old at the time of their return to Nazareth. He had stood all these travels very well and was in excellent health and full of childish glee and excitement at having premises of his own to run about in and to enjoy. But he greatly missed the association of his Alexandrian playmates. 123:1.2 (1356.5) 在他們返回拿撒勒時,耶穌大約三歲又兩個月。 他非常好地經受了所有這些旅行,且極為健康,對於擁有他自己的處所可到處玩耍和享受,充滿了孩子般的喜悅和興奮。但他非常想念與他亞歷山卓玩伴的友誼。 122:1.3 (1345.2) Of all couples living in Palestine at about the time of Michael’s projected bestowal, Joseph and Mary possessed the most ideal combination of widespread racial connections and superior average of personality endowments. It was the plan of Michael to appear on earth as an average man, that the common people might understand him and receive him; wherefore Gabriel selected just such persons as Joseph and Mary to become the bestowal parents. 123:1.3 (1356.6) 在前往拿撒勒的路上,約瑟夫已說服瑪利亞,在他們加利利親戚朋友間散播耶穌是應許之子的話語是不智的。他們同意不向任何人提及這些事。他們倆都非常忠實地遵守這個諾言。 123:1.4 (1357.1) Jesus’ entire fourth year was a period of normal physical development and of unusual mental activity. Meantime he had formed a very close attachment for a neighbor boy about his own age named Jacob. Jesus and Jacob were always happy in their play, and they grew up to be great friends and loyal companions. 123:1.4 (1357.1) 耶穌的整個第四年是一個正常身體發展和不尋常心智活動的時期。同時,他與一位年齡相仿名叫雅各的鄰居男孩形成了一種緊密的情感。耶穌和雅各在玩耍中總是很快樂,他們長大後成為很好的朋友和忠誠的夥伴。 123:1.5 (1357.2) The next important event in the life of this Nazareth family was the birth of the second child, James, in the early morning hours of April 2, 3 B.C. Jesus was thrilled by the thought of having a baby brother, and he would stand around by the hour just to observe the baby’s early activities. 123:1.5 (1357.2) 這個拿撒勒家庭的生活中的下一個重要事件是第二個孩子詹姆斯在西元前3年4月2日凌晨時分的誕生。耶穌對於有一個新出生弟弟的想法極為激動,他想要時時刻刻站在周圍,只為觀察嬰兒的早期活動。 123:1.6 (1357.3) It was midsummer of this same year that Joseph built a small workshop close to the village spring and near the caravan tarrying lot. After this he did very little carpenter work by the day. He had as associates two of his brothers and several other mechanics, whom he sent out to work while he remained at the shop making yokes and plows and doing other woodwork. He also did some work in leather and with rope and canvas. And Jesus, as he grew up, when not at school, spent his time about equally between helping his mother with home duties and watching his father work at the shop, meanwhile listening to the conversation and gossip of the caravan conductors and passengers from the four corners of the earth. 123:1.6 (1357.3) 就在這同一年的仲夏,約瑟夫在靠近村子泉水源頭和商隊歇腳處附近建了一個小的工作室。在這之後,他漸漸做很少的木匠工作。他有他的兩個兄弟和幾個其他技工作為夥伴,他派他們出去工作,而他則留在店裡製造軛和犁以及做其它木工活。他也用繩索和帆布做一些皮革方面的工作。而隨著耶穌長大,當他不在學校時,他花同樣時間在幫忙他母親做家事和觀察他父親在店裡工作,同時聽著來自世界四面八方的商隊領隊和旅客們的談話和閒聊。 123:1.7 (1357.4) In July of this year, one month before Jesus was four years old, an outbreak of malignant intestinal trouble spread over all Nazareth from contact with the caravan travelers. Mary became so alarmed by the danger of Jesus being exposed to this epidemic of disease that she bundled up both her children and fled to the country home of her brother, several miles south of Nazareth on the Megiddo road near Sarid. They did not return to Nazareth for more than two months; Jesus greatly enjoyed this, his first experience on a farm. 123:1.7 (1357.4) 這年七月,即耶穌四歲前的一個月,由於與商隊旅行者接觸,一場惡性腸道疾病爆發,傳遍了整個拿撒勒。瑪利亞對耶穌暴露在這種疾病流行病的危險中感到十分驚慌,於是她僅僅包裹著她的兩個孩子,逃到她兄弟位於拿撒勒以南幾英里,靠近薩里德的米吉多路上的鄉下家中。他們兩個多月沒有回到拿撒勒;耶穌非常享受他第一次待在農場的這個經歷。 2. The Fifth Year (2 B.C.) 2. 第五年(西元前2年) 123:2.1 (1357.5) In something more than a year after the return to Nazareth the boy Jesus arrived at the age of his first personal and wholehearted moral decision; and there came to abide with him a Thought Adjuster, a divine gift of the Paradise Father, which had aforetime served with Machiventa Melchizedek, thus gaining the experience of functioning in connection with the incarnation of a supermortal being living in the likeness of mortal flesh. This event occurred on February 11, 2 B.C. Jesus was no more aware of the coming of the divine Monitor than are the millions upon millions of other children who, before and since that day, have likewise received these Thought Adjusters to indwell their minds and work for the ultimate spiritualization of these minds and the eternal survival of their evolving immortal souls. 123:2.1 (1357.5) 在回到拿撒勒一年多後,男孩耶穌到了他第一次個人且全心全意的道德決定年齡;一位來自天父之神聖贈與的思想調整者前來與他同住,此思想調整者先前與瑪可文塔.默基瑟德一起服務過,由此獲得了與生活在凡人肉身中的超凡人存有之化身相關的運作經驗。這一事件發生在西元前2年2月11日。耶穌與其他成千上萬的孩子一樣,並未意識到神性告誡者的到來,這些在那天之前和從那天以後的孩子,同樣接收到思想調整者,這些思想調整者內駐在他們心智中,並為這些心智的終極靈性化和他們演化中不朽靈魂的永恆續存而努力。 123:2.2 (1357.6) On this day in February the direct and personal supervision of the Universe Rulers, as it was related to the integrity of the childlike incarnation of Michael, terminated. From that time on throughout the human unfolding of the incarnation, the guardianship of Jesus was destined to rest in the keeping of this indwelling Adjuster and the associated seraphic guardians, supplemented from time to time by the ministry of midway creatures assigned for the performance of certain definite duties in accordance with the instruction of their planetary superiors. 123:2.2 (1357.6) 在二月的這一天,與邁克爾的孩子般化身之完整性相關的那來自宇宙支配者們(Universe Rulers)的直接親身監管終止了。從那時起,貫穿整個化身的人類展開過程,耶穌的監護註定要由這一內駐調整者和相關熾天使守護者所照管,並不時輔以中道受造物的侍奉,這些中道受造物依照他們行星上級的指示,受指派履行某些明確的職責。 123:2.3 (1357.7) Jesus was five years old in August of this year, and we will, therefore, refer to this as his fifth (calendar) year of life. In this year, 2 B.C., a little more than one month before his fifth birthday anniversary, Jesus was made very happy by the coming of his sister Miriam, who was born on the night of July 11. During the evening of the following day Jesus had a long talk with his father concerning the manner in which various groups of living things are born into the world as separate individuals. The most valuable part of Jesus’ early education was secured from his parents in answer to his thoughtful and searching inquiries. Joseph never failed to do his full duty in taking pains and spending time answering the boy’s numerous questions. From the time Jesus was five years old until he was ten, he was one continuous question mark. While Joseph and Mary could not always answer his questions, they never failed fully to discuss his inquiries and in every other possible way to assist him in his efforts to reach a satisfactory solution of the problem which his alert mind had suggested. 123:2.3 (1357.7) 這年八月耶穌五歲了,因此,我們稱這一年為他人生的第五(曆)年。這一年,也就是西元前2年,在他五歲生日週年前一個多月,耶穌因他妹妹米利暗的到來而十分高興,她生於7月11日晚上。隔日傍晚,耶穌和他的父親就不同生命群體如何作為獨立個體生於世間,進行了一次長談。耶穌早期教育的最有價值部分,是來自他父母對他深思熟慮和追根究底詢問的回答。約瑟夫從未失職,他盡力花時間回答兒子的許多問題。從耶穌五歲時起,直到他十歲,他是一個連續不斷的問號。儘管約瑟夫和瑪利亞無法總是能回答他的問題,但他們總是充分討論他的訊問,並在他努力找尋他機敏頭腦所提出問題的滿意解決方案時,盡可能地協助他。 123:2.4 (1358.1) Since returning to Nazareth, theirs had been a busy household, and Joseph had been unusually occupied building his new shop and getting his business started again. So fully was he occupied that he had found no time to build a cradle for James, but this was corrected long before Miriam came, so that she had a very comfortable crib in which to nestle while the family admired her. And the child Jesus heartily entered into all these natural and normal home experiences. He greatly enjoyed his little brother and his baby sister and was of great help to Mary in their care. 123:2.4 (1358.1) 自從返回拿撒勒以來,他們家一直很忙碌,約瑟夫異常忙碌於建造他的新店舖並重新開始他的事業。他是如此忙碌,以致於他沒時間給詹姆斯造一個搖籃,但這早在米利暗到來之前就已調整過來,因此她有了一個非常舒適的嬰兒床,在家人欣賞她時她可以依偎在裡面。孩童期的耶穌全然地融入到所有這些自然而又正常的家庭經歷中。他非常喜愛他的小弟弟和他的新生妹妹,並且在他們的照顧上給了瑪利亞很大的幫助。 123:2.5 (1358.2) There were few homes in the gentile world of those days that could give a child a better intellectual, moral, and religious training than the Jewish homes of Galilee. These Jews had a systematic program for rearing and educating their children. They divided a child’s life into seven stages: 123:2.5 (1358.2) 在那個時代的外邦人世界中,很少有家庭能比加利利的猶太家庭給孩子更好的智力、道德和宗教培訓。這些猶太人擁有一套養育和教育他們孩子的有系統計劃。他們將孩子的生活分成七個階段: 123:2.6 (1358.3) 1. The newborn child, the first to the eighth day. 123:2.6 (1358.3) 1. 新生兒,第一天到第八天。 123:2.7 (1358.4) 2. The suckling child. 123:2.7 (1358.4) 2. 哺乳的孩子。 123:2.8 (1358.5) 3. The weaned child. 123:2.8 (1358.5) 3. 斷奶的孩子。 123:2.9 (1358.6) 4. The period of dependence on the mother, lasting up to the end of the fifth year. 123:2.9 (1358.6) 4. 依賴母親的時期,一直持續到第五年年底。 123:2.10 (1358.7) 5. The beginning independence of the child and, with sons, the father assuming responsibility for their education. 123:2.10 (1358.7) 5. 孩子開始獨立,對於兒子,父親承擔起他們的教育責任。 123:2.11 (1358.8) 6. The adolescent youths and maidens. 123:2.11 (1358.8) 6. 青少年和少女。 123:2.12 (1358.9) 7. The young men and the young women. 123:2.12 (1358.9) 7. 青年男性和青年女性。 123:2.13 (1358.10) It was the custom of the Galilean Jews for the mother to bear the responsibility for a child’s training until the fifth birthday, and then, if the child were a boy, to hold the father responsible for the lad’s education from that time on. This year, therefore, Jesus entered upon the fifth stage of a Galilean Jewish child’s career, and accordingly on August 21, 2 B.C., Mary formally turned him over to Joseph for further instruction. 123:2.13 (1358.10) 加利利猶太人的習俗是母親負責孩子的培訓直到五歲生日,然後,如果孩子是男孩,從那時起便由父親負起對孩子教育的責任。因此,這一年耶穌進入了加利利猶太人孩子歷程的第五個階段,於是,在西元前2年8月21日,瑪利亞正式將他交給約瑟夫以進行進一步的教導。 123:2.14 (1358.11) Though Joseph was now assuming the direct responsibility for Jesus’ intellectual and religious education, his mother still interested herself in his home training. She taught him to know and care for the vines and flowers growing about the garden walls which completely surrounded the home plot. She also provided on the roof of the house (the summer bedroom) shallow boxes of sand in which Jesus worked out maps and did much of his early practice at writing Aramaic, Greek, and later on, Hebrew, for in time he learned to read, write, and speak, fluently, all three languages. 23:2.14 (1358.11) 儘管約瑟夫現在直接負責耶穌的智力和宗教教育,但他的母親仍然對他的家庭生活訓練感到興趣。她教他瞭解和照料沿著完全圍繞家園的庭院牆周圍生長的藤蔓和花卉。她也在房子屋頂上(夏天的臥室)提供了淺淺的沙盒,耶穌用它來製作地圖,並做了早期書寫亞蘭文、希臘文,以及後來的希伯來文的大量練習,因為隨著時間的推移他學會了流利地讀、寫和說所有這三種語言。 123:2.15 (1358.12) Jesus appeared to be a well-nigh perfect child physically and continued to make normal progress mentally and emotionally. He experienced a mild digestive upset, his first minor illness, in the latter part of this, his fifth (calendar) year. 123:2.15 (1358.12) 耶穌在身體上看似一個幾近完美的孩子,並在心智上和情感上持續取得正常的進展。在他第五(曆)年的後期,他經歷了一次輕微的消化不適,這是他的第一個小病。 123:2.16 (1359.1) Though Joseph and Mary often talked about the future of their eldest child, had you been there, you would only have observed the growing up of a normal, healthy, carefree, but exceedingly inquisitive child of that time and place. 123:2.16 (1359.1) 雖然約瑟夫和瑪利亞經常討論他們長子的未來,但如果你在那裡,你將只會觀察到在那個時代那個地區的一位正常、健康、無憂無慮但極其好奇的孩子的成長。 3. Events of the Sixth Year (1 B.C.) 3. 第六年(西元前1年)的事件 123:3.1 (1359.2) Already, with his mother’s help, Jesus had mastered the Galilean dialect of the Aramaic tongue; and now his father began teaching him Greek. Mary spoke little Greek, but Joseph was a fluent speaker of both Aramaic and Greek. The textbook for the study of the Greek language was the copy of the Hebrew scriptures—a complete version of the law and the prophets, including the Psalms—which had been presented to them on leaving Egypt. There were only two complete copies of the Scriptures in Greek in all Nazareth, and the possession of one of them by the carpenter’s family made Joseph’s home a much-sought place and enabled Jesus, as he grew up, to meet an almost endless procession of earnest students and sincere truth seekers. Before this year ended, Jesus had assumed custody of this priceless manuscript, having been told on his sixth birthday that the sacred book had been presented to him by Alexandrian friends and relatives. And in a very short time he could read it readily. 123:3.1 (1359.2) 耶穌在他母親的幫助下,已經精通亞蘭語中的加利利方言;現在他的父親開始教他希臘語。瑪利亞說一點希臘語,但約瑟夫能說流利的亞蘭語和希臘語。學習希臘語的教科書是那本希伯來經文——包括律法和先知書和《詩篇》在內的完整版本——的抄本,它是在他們離開埃及時贈送給他們的。在整個拿撒勒,只有兩部完整的希臘文「經文」(the Scriptures)抄本,而木匠家庭擁有其中一部,這使得約瑟夫的家成了一個備受追捧的地方,也使得耶穌在長大過程中遇到幾近無窮盡的認真學者及真誠的真理尋求者。在這年結束之前,耶穌接管了這本無價的手稿,他在六歲生日時被告知這本聖書是由亞歷山卓的親戚朋友贈送給他的。在很短時間內,他便能很容易地讀它。 123:3.2 (1359.3) The first great shock of Jesus’ young life occurred when he was not quite six years old. It had seemed to the lad that his father—at least his father and mother together—knew everything. Imagine, therefore, the surprise of this inquiring child, when he asked his father the cause of a mild earthquake which had just occurred, to hear Joseph say, “My son, I really do not know.” Thus began that long and disconcerting disillusionment in the course of which Jesus found out that his earthly parents were not all-wise and all-knowing. 123:3.2 (1359.3) 耶穌童年生活的第一次巨大衝擊,發生在他不到六歲時。對小男孩來說,他父親——至少他的父親和母親一起——似乎什麼都知道。因此,想像一下這個好奇孩子的驚訝,當他問他父親剛剛發生的輕微地震的原因時,聽到約瑟夫說,「我的兒子,我真不知道。」於是在耶穌發現他的世間父母並不是全智和全知的過程中,開始了那漫長而又令人不安的幻滅。 123:3.3 (1359.4) Joseph’s first thought was to tell Jesus that the earthquake had been caused by God, but a moment’s reflection admonished him that such an answer would immediately be provocative of further and still more embarrassing inquiries. Even at an early age it was very difficult to answer Jesus’ questions about physical or social phenomena by thoughtlessly telling him that either God or the devil was responsible. In harmony with the prevailing belief of the Jewish people, Jesus was long willing to accept the doctrine of good spirits and evil spirits as the possible explanation of mental and spiritual phenomena, but he very early became doubtful that such unseen influences were responsible for the physical happenings of the natural world. 123:3.3 (1359.4) 約瑟夫的第一個念頭是告訴耶穌地震是由神所引起的,但片刻的反思告誡他,這樣一個答案將立即挑起進一步且更令人尷尬的訊問。即使在很小的時候,要回答耶穌關於物理和社會現象的問題,也很難不假思索地告訴他那是神或魔鬼所造成的。為了與猶太人民普遍的信仰一致,耶穌很長時間願意接受善靈和惡靈的教義作為對於心智和屬靈性現象的可能解釋,但他很早便懷疑自然界的物理事件是由於這種看不見影響力的原因。 123:3.4 (1359.5) Before Jesus was six years of age, in the early summer of 1 B.C., Zacharias and Elizabeth and their son John came to visit the Nazareth family. Jesus and John had a happy time during this, their first visit within their memories. Although the visitors could remain only a few days, the parents talked over many things, including the future plans for their sons. While they were thus engaged, the lads played with blocks in the sand on top of the house and in many other ways enjoyed themselves in true boyish fashion. 123:3.4 (1359.5) 在西元前1年的初夏,耶穌六歲之前,撒迦利亞和伊莉莎白以及他們的兒子約翰來拜訪這個拿撒勒家庭。耶穌和約翰在他們記憶中的第一次拜訪期間,度過了一段快樂的時光。儘管訪客們只能待幾天,但父母們商討了許多事情,包括他們孩子的未來計劃。當他們忙於這些事時,小孩子們則在房頂的沙子裡玩積木,並以真正男孩的方式在許多其它方面享受樂趣。 123:3.5 (1359.6) Having met John, who came from near Jerusalem, Jesus began to evince an unusual interest in the history of Israel and to inquire in great detail as to the meaning of the Sabbath rites, the synagogue sermons, and the recurring feasts of commemoration. His father explained to him the meaning of all these seasons. The first was the midwinter festive illumination, lasting eight days, starting out with one candle the first night and adding one each successive night; this commemorated the dedication of the temple after the restoration of the Mosaic services by Judas Maccabee. Next came the early springtime celebration of Purim, the feast of Esther and Israel’s deliverance through her. Then followed the solemn Passover, which the adults celebrated in Jerusalem whenever possible, while at home the children would remember that no leavened bread was to be eaten for the whole week. Later came the feast of the first-fruits, the harvest ingathering; and last, the most solemn of all, the feast of the new year, the day of atonement. While some of these celebrations and observances were difficult for Jesus’ young mind to understand, he pondered them seriously and then entered fully into the joy of the feast of tabernacles, the annual vacation season of the whole Jewish people, the time when they camped out in leafy booths and gave themselves up to mirth and pleasure. 123:3.5 (1359.6) 遇到來自耶路撒冷附近的約翰後,耶穌開始對以色列的歷史表現出一種不尋常的興趣,並詳盡詢問安息日儀式、猶太會堂佈道和反覆出現的紀念節日的含義。 他父親向他解釋了所有這些節期的含義。第一個是仲冬節日燈飾,持續八天,從第一晚點燃一支蠟燭開始,每個接下來的夜晚都增加一隻;這是為了紀念猶大.馬加比恢復摩西服務之後的聖殿奉獻。接下來到來的是早春時節的普林節慶祝,這是以斯帖和以色列藉由她而得到拯救的節日。接著是莊嚴的逾越節,成年人盡可能在耶路撒冷慶祝,而孩子們在家裡會記得這一整個星期不吃發酵餅。後來是初熟節,收割的聚集;最後,所有當中最為莊嚴的,新年盛宴,贖罪日。雖然這些慶典和紀念活動中某些對於耶穌年幼的心智來說是難以理解的,但他認真思考它們,然後完全投入到住棚節的喜悅中,這是整個猶太民族的年度假期,也是他們在綠葉成蔭的棚舍露營,沉浸在歡樂中的時刻。 123:3.6 (1360.1) During this year Joseph and Mary had trouble with Jesus about his prayers. He insisted on talking to his heavenly Father much as he would talk to Joseph, his earthly father. This departure from the more solemn and reverent modes of communication with Deity was a bit disconcerting to his parents, especially to his mother, but there was no persuading him to change; he would say his prayers just as he had been taught, after which he insisted on having “just a little talk with my Father in heaven.” 123:3.6 (1360.1) 在這一年期間,約瑟夫和瑪利亞因耶穌的祈禱而對他感到苦惱。他堅持以他和他世間父親約瑟夫談話方式一樣,與他的天父交談。這種偏離更為莊重虔誠的與神靈交流的方式,令他的父母感到有點不安,尤其是對他的母親來說,但未能說服他改過來;他會依照他被教導的方式禱吿,在那之後他堅持「只是與我天上的『父』聊一聊」。 123:3.7 (1360.2) In June of this year Joseph turned the shop in Nazareth over to his brothers and formally entered upon his work as a builder. Before the year was over, the family income had more than trebled. Never again, until after Joseph’s death, did the Nazareth family feel the pinch of poverty. The family grew larger and larger, and they spent much money on extra education and travel, but always Joseph’s increasing income kept pace with the growing expenses. 123:3.7 (1360.2) 在這一年六月,約瑟夫把拿撒勒的店移交給了他的兄弟們,並正式開始他作為建築商的工作。在這年結束前,家庭收入增加了兩倍多。直到約瑟夫死後,這個拿撒勒家庭再也沒有感到過貧窮拮据。這個家庭變得越來越大,他們在額外的教育和旅行上花費了很多錢,不過約瑟夫不斷增加的收入總是能夠跟上擴大中的開支。 123:3.8 (1360.3) The next few years Joseph did considerable work at Cana, Bethlehem (of Galilee), Magdala, Nain, Sepphoris, Capernaum, and Endor, as well as much building in and near Nazareth. As James grew up to be old enough to help his mother with the housework and care of the younger children, Jesus made frequent trips away from home with his father to these surrounding towns and villages. Jesus was a keen observer and gained much practical knowledge from these trips away from home; he was assiduously storing up knowledge regarding man and the way he lived on earth. 123:3.8 (1360.3) 接下來幾年約瑟夫在迦拿、(加利利的)伯利恆、抹大拉、拿因、塞弗瑞斯、迦百農和隱多珥做了相當多的工作,也在拿撒勒及其附近做了許多營造工程。隨著詹姆斯長大到足以幫助他的母親做家務以及照料更幼小的孩子時,耶穌經常與他父親一起離開家前往這些周圍城鎮鄉村。耶穌是一個敏銳的觀察者,並從這些離開家的旅行中獲得了許多實用的知識;他勤奮地累積關於人類及其在世上生活方式的知識。 123:3.9 (1360.4) This year Jesus made great progress in adjusting his strong feelings and vigorous impulses to the demands of family co-operation and home discipline. Mary was a loving mother but a fairly strict disciplinarian. In many ways, however, Joseph exerted the greater control over Jesus as it was his practice to sit down with the boy and fully explain the real and underlying reasons for the necessity of disciplinary curtailment of personal desires in deference to the welfare and tranquillity of the entire family. When the situation had been explained to Jesus, he was always intelligently and willingly co-operative with parental wishes and family regulations. 123:3.9 (1360.4) 這一年,耶穌在調整他強烈情感和劇烈衝動以適應家人合作和家庭紀律方面的要求上,取得了極大進步。瑪利亞是一個慈愛的母親,但也是一個相當嚴厲的管教者。然而,在許多方面,約瑟夫對耶穌行使更大的控制,因為他的做法是和孩子坐下來,充分解釋因考慮到整個家庭福祉和安寧而有必要對個人慾望進行紀律性縮減的真正根本原因。當向耶穌解釋過情況後,他總是明智且願意配合父母的願望和家庭的規定。 123:3.10 (1360.5) Much of his spare time—when his mother did not require his help about the house—was spent studying the flowers and plants by day and the stars by night. He evinced a troublesome penchant for lying on his back and gazing wonderingly up into the starry heavens long after his usual bedtime in this well-ordered Nazareth household. 123:3.10 (1360.5) 他的大多閒暇時間––當他母親不需要他幫忙家務時––白天都用在研究花卉、晚上則研究星星。在這個秩序井然的拿撒勒家中,他顯示出一種令人苦惱的嗜好,那就是在他通常的就寢時間之後很久仍仰臥著,疑惑地凝視著星空。 4. The Seventh Year (A.D. 1) 4. 第七年(西元1年) 123:4.1 (1361.1) This was, indeed, an eventful year in Jesus’ life. Early in January a great snowstorm occurred in Galilee. Snow fell two feet deep, the heaviest snowfall Jesus saw during his lifetime and one of the deepest at Nazareth in a hundred years. 123:4.1 (1361.1) 這確實是耶穌生命中多事之秋的一年。1月初,加利利發生了一場大暴風雪。 雪下了兩英尺深,這是耶穌在其生平中見過的最大降雪,也是拿撒勒一百年來最深的一場降雪。 123:4.2 (1361.2) The play life of Jewish children in the times of Jesus was rather circumscribed; all too often the children played at the more serious things they observed their elders doing. They played much at weddings and funerals, ceremonies which they so frequently saw and which were so spectacular. They danced and sang but had few organized games, such as children of later days so much enjoy. 123:4.2 (1361.2) 在耶穌時代,猶太孩子的遊戲生活是受到相當限制的;孩子們經常玩的遊戲是依他們觀察到他們長輩所做的較為嚴肅的事情。他們大多玩婚禮和葬禮的遊戲,即那些他們如此經常看到且如此壯觀的典禮。他們跳舞和唱歌,但很少有像後來孩子們非常喜愛的那種有組織的遊戲。 123:4.3 (1361.3) Jesus, in company with a neighbor boy and later his brother James, delighted to play in the far corner of the family carpenter shop, where they had great fun with the shavings and the blocks of wood. It was always difficult for Jesus to comprehend the harm of certain sorts of play which were forbidden on the Sabbath, but he never failed to conform to his parents’ wishes. He had a capacity for humor and play which was afforded little opportunity for expression in the environment of his day and generation, but up to the age of fourteen he was cheerful and lighthearted most of the time. 123:4.3 (1361.3) 耶穌和一個鄰家男孩以及後來加上他的弟弟詹姆斯一起,喜歡在家裡木工店舖中的一個邊遠角落玩耍,他們用木削和木塊玩得很開心。耶穌總是很難理解在安息日被禁止的某些類遊戲的壞處,但他從來不違背他父母的願望。他具有在他所處時代和環境中很少有機會表現出來的幽默和遊戲能力,不過在十四歲之前,他大多數時間都是快樂和無憂無慮的。 123:4.4 (1361.4) Mary maintained a dovecote on top of the animal house adjoining the home, and they used the profits from the sale of doves as a special charity fund, which Jesus administered after he deducted the tithe and turned it over to the officer of the synagogue. 123:4.4 (1361.4) 瑪利亞在鄰近住家的牲畜屋舍頂部保有一個鴿舍,他們利用出售鴿子的利潤作為特別的慈善基金,這基金在耶穌扣除什一稅並將稅轉交給猶太教會堂的官員後,由他來管理。 123:4.5 (1361.5) The only real accident Jesus had up to this time was a fall down the back-yard stone stairs which led up to the canvas-roofed bedroom. It happened during an unexpected July sandstorm from the east. The hot winds, carrying blasts of fine sand, usually blew during the rainy season, especially in March and April. It was extraordinary to have such a storm in July. When the storm came up, Jesus was on the housetop playing, as was his habit, for during much of the dry season this was his accustomed playroom. He was blinded by the sand when descending the stairs and fell. After this accident Joseph built a balustrade up both sides of the stairway. 123:4.5 (1361.5) 到這時為止,耶穌有過的唯一真正的意外是從後院石階上摔下,這些石階往上是通往帆布覆蓋的臥室。它發生在一場無預期來自東方的七月沙暴期間。熱風攜帶著陣陣細沙通常在雨季吹來,尤其是在三月和四月期間。七月有這樣的風暴是不尋常的。 當風暴來臨時,耶穌照習慣在屋頂玩耍,因為在旱季的大部分期間,這裡是他慣常的遊戲室。在下台階時,他因為沙子而看不見,摔了下來。在這場意外之後,約瑟夫在台階兩邊建造了欄杆。 123:4.6 (1361.6) There was no way in which this accident could have been prevented. It was not chargeable to neglect by the midway temporal guardians, one primary and one secondary midwayer having been assigned to the watchcare of the lad; neither was it chargeable to the guardian seraphim. It simply could not have been avoided. But this slight accident, occurring while Joseph was absent in Endor, caused such great anxiety to develop in Mary’s mind that she unwisely tried to keep Jesus very close to her side for some months. 123:4.6 (1361.6) 這次意外是沒有辦法預防的。不能歸咎為中道世間守護者們的疏忽,有一名第一類中道者和一名第二類中道者已被委派來看顧這個孩子;也不能歸咎於守護熾天使。這根本無法避免。 但這一發生在當約瑟夫不在家而是待在隱多珥時的小意外,導致瑪利亞心中產生了極大的焦慮,以致於她不智地試圖將耶穌緊緊地留在她身邊好幾個月。 123:4.7 (1361.7) Material accidents, commonplace occurrences of a physical nature, are not arbitrarily interfered with by celestial personalities. Under ordinary circumstances only midway creatures can intervene in material conditions to safeguard the persons of men and women of destiny, and even in special situations these beings can so act only in obedience to the specific mandates of their superiors. 123:4.7 (1361.7) 物質性意外,即具物理本質的尋常事件,不會被天界人格體隨意干涉。在平常情況下,只有中道受造物能干預物質條件來保護天命男女的人身,而且甚至在特殊狀況下,這些存有也只能服從於他們上級的特定指令而如此行事。 123:4.8 (1361.8) And this was but one of a number of such minor accidents which subsequently befell this inquisitive and adventurous youth. If you envisage the average childhood and youth of an aggressive boy, you will have a fairly good idea of the youthful career of Jesus, and you will be able to imagine just about how much anxiety he caused his parents, particularly his mother. 123:4.8 (1361.8) 而這只是隨後發生在這一好奇而又富冒險精神的年輕人身上的許多小意外之一。如果你想像一個有衝勁的男孩的一般童年和青少年時期,你將會對耶穌的年輕生涯有一個相當好的了解,你也能想像他給他的父母,尤其是他的母親,帶來多少焦慮。 123:4.9 (1362.1) The fourth member of the Nazareth family, Joseph, was born Wednesday morning, March 16, A.D. 1. 123:4.9 (1362.1) 這個拿撒勒家庭的第四位成員約瑟夫於西元1年3月16日星期三早上誕生。 5. School Days in Nazareth 5. 拿撒勒的校園時光 123:5.1 (1362.2) Jesus was now seven years old, the age when Jewish children were supposed to begin their formal education in the synagogue schools. Accordingly, in August of this year he entered upon his eventful school life at Nazareth. Already this lad was a fluent reader, writer, and speaker of two languages, Aramaic and Greek. He was now to acquaint himself with the task of learning to read, write, and speak the Hebrew language. And he was truly eager for the new school life which was ahead of him. 123:5.1 (1362.2) 耶穌此時七歲了,這是猶太孩子應該在猶太會堂學校開始他們正式教育的年齡。因此,在這年八月,他在拿撒勒開始了他多采多姿的學校生活。這小男孩已經可流利地讀、寫和說亞蘭語和希臘語這兩種語言。他現在正要熟悉學習讀、寫和說希伯來語的功課。他真的渴望即將到來的嶄新學校生活。 123:5.2 (1362.3) For three years—until he was ten—he attended the elementary school of the Nazareth synagogue. For these three years he studied the rudiments of the Book of the Law as it was recorded in the Hebrew tongue. For the following three years he studied in the advanced school and committed to memory, by the method of repeating aloud, the deeper teachings of the sacred law. He graduated from this school of the synagogue during his thirteenth year and was turned over to his parents by the synagogue rulers as an educated “son of the commandment”—henceforth a responsible citizen of the commonwealth of Israel, all of which entailed his attendance at the Passovers in Jerusalem; accordingly, he attended his first Passover that year in company with his father and mother. 123:5.2 (1362.3) 他在拿撒勒猶太會堂的小學讀了三年,直到他十歲。在這三年裡,他學習了以希伯來語記錄的《律法書》的基礎知識。在接下三年中,他在高級學校學習,並透過反覆朗誦的方式熟記神聖律法的更深教導。在他十三歲期間,他從這間猶太會堂學校畢業,被猶太教會堂主管以一名受教育的「戒律之子」––自此以後成為以色列聯邦一名負責任的公民––交給他的父母,所有這一切使其參加耶路撒冷的逾越節成為必要;因此,他在那一年與他的父母一起參加了他的第一個逾越節。 123:5.3 (1362.4) At Nazareth the pupils sat on the floor in a semicircle, while their teacher, the chazan, an officer of the synagogue, sat facing them. Beginning with the Book of Leviticus, they passed on to the study of the other books of the law, followed by the study of the Prophets and the Psalms. The Nazareth synagogue possessed a complete copy of the Scriptures in Hebrew. Nothing but the Scriptures was studied prior to the twelfth year. In the summer months the hours for school were greatly shortened. 123:5.3 (1362.4) 在拿撒勒,學生們圍成一個半圓坐在地上,而他們的老師,引誦者,即猶太會堂的一位官員,坐著面對他們。他們從《利未記》開始,然後繼續學習其它律法書籍,接著學習先知書和《詩篇》。拿撒勒的猶太會堂有一本希伯來「經文」的完整抄本。 在十二歲之前他們只學「經文」。在夏季的月份中,上學的時間大大縮短。 123:5.4 (1362.5) Jesus early became a master of Hebrew, and as a young man, when no visitor of prominence happened to be sojourning in Nazareth, he would often be asked to read the Hebrew scriptures to the faithful assembled in the synagogue at the regular Sabbath services. 123:5.4 (1362.5) 耶穌很早就精通希伯來語,作為一個年輕人,當碰巧沒有有聲望的訪客在拿撒勒逗留時,他時常被邀請在定期的安息日禮拜上,向聚集在猶太會堂的信徒朗讀希伯來經文。 123:5.5 (1362.6) These synagogue schools, of course, had no textbooks. In teaching, the chazan would utter a statement while the pupils would in unison repeat it after him. When having access to the written books of the law, the student learned his lesson by reading aloud and by constant repetition. 123:5.5 (1362.6) 當然,這些猶太會堂學校沒有任何教科書。在教導方面,引誦者將會說出一句話,而學生們將會齊聲跟著他複誦。當能接觸到律法的書面書籍時,學生會透過朗讀和不斷重複來學習他的課程。 123:5.6 (1362.7) Next, in addition to his more formal schooling, Jesus began to make contact with human nature from the four quarters of the earth as men from many lands passed in and out of his father’s repair shop. When he grew older, he mingled freely with the caravans as they tarried near the spring for rest and nourishment. Being a fluent speaker of Greek, he had little trouble in conversing with the majority of the caravan travelers and conductors. 123:5.6 (1362.7) 接下來,除了他更為正式的學校教育外,耶穌隨著來自各地出入他父親維修店裡的人,開始接觸到來自地球四面八方的人性。當他長大後,他自由地與停留在泉水源頭附近休息補給的商隊往來。由於他能說流利的希臘語,他在與大多數商隊旅客和領隊交流上幾乎沒有困難。 123:5.7 (1362.8) Nazareth was a caravan way station and crossroads of travel and largely gentile in population; at the same time it was widely known as a center of liberal interpretation of Jewish traditional law. In Galilee the Jews mingled more freely with the gentiles than was their practice in Judea. And of all the cities of Galilee, the Jews of Nazareth were most liberal in their interpretation of the social restrictions based on the fears of contamination as a result of contact with the gentiles. And these conditions gave rise to the common saying in Jerusalem, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” 123:5.7 (1362.8) 拿撒勒是一個商隊驛站和旅行交會點,人口主要是外邦人;與此同時,它被廣泛地認為是一個自由闡釋猶太律法的中心。在加利利,猶太人與外邦人的往來比在猶太地更為自由。而在加利利所有城市當中,拿撒勒的猶太人在解釋社會限制上最為自由,而此社會限制是基於與外邦人接觸可能導致受污染的恐懼而產生的。這些狀況導致了耶路撒冷的一種俗語,「拿撒勒還能出什麼好東西嗎?」 123:5.8 (1363.1) Jesus received his moral training and spiritual culture chiefly in his own home. He secured much of his intellectual and theological education from the chazan. But his real education—that equipment of mind and heart for the actual test of grappling with the difficult problems of life—he obtained by mingling with his fellow men. It was this close association with his fellow men, young and old, Jew and gentile, that afforded him the opportunity to know the human race. Jesus was highly educated in that he thoroughly understood men and devotedly loved them. 123:5.8 (1363.1) 耶穌主要在他自己家裡接受了他的道德培訓和屬靈教化。他從領誦者那裡獲得了許多他智性和神學教育。但他的真正教育——那種為應對生活中難題之實際考驗的心智與心靈素養——他則得自於與人類同胞的往來。正是這種與其人類同胞的密切聯繫,無論是年輕或年長、猶太人或外邦人,為他提供了解人類的機會。耶穌是高度受教育的,因為他完全理解人,並全心全意地熱愛他們。 123:5.9 (1363.2) Throughout his years at the synagogue he was a brilliant student, possessing a great advantage since he was conversant with three languages. The Nazareth chazan, on the occasion of Jesus’ finishing the course in his school, remarked to Joseph that he feared he “had learned more from Jesus’ searching questions” than he had “been able to teach the lad.” 123:5.9 (1363.2) 在他猶太會堂的歲月裡,他是一個聰明的學生,並因他精通三種語言而擁有極大優勢。拿撒勒的領誦者在耶穌完成他學校課程時,和約瑟夫談到,他恐怕「他從耶穌探究真相的問題中所學到的」比他「能教給這小男孩的」還要多。 123:5.10 (1363.3) Throughout his course of study Jesus learned much and derived great inspiration from the regular Sabbath sermons in the synagogue. It was customary to ask distinguished visitors, stopping over the Sabbath in Nazareth, to address the synagogue. As Jesus grew up, he heard many great thinkers of the entire Jewish world expound their views, and many also who were hardly orthodox Jews since the synagogue of Nazareth was an advanced and liberal center of Hebrew thought and culture. 123:5.10 (1363.3) 在他的整個學習課程期間,耶穌從猶太會堂定期的安息日佈道中學到了許多,並從中獲得了極大的啟發。邀請傑出的訪問者在拿撒勒的安息日停留,並向猶太會堂致辭,是種習慣。 隨著耶穌長大,他聽過整個猶太人世界的許多偉大思想家闡明他們的觀點,也有許多並非正統的猶太人,因為拿撒勒的猶太會堂是希伯來思想和文化的一個先進而又自由的中心。 123:5.11 (1363.4) When entering school at seven years (at this time the Jews had just inaugurated a compulsory education law), it was customary for the pupils to choose their “birthday text,” a sort of golden rule to guide them throughout their studies, one upon which they often expatiated at their graduation when thirteen years old. The text which Jesus chose was from the Prophet Isaiah: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to set the spiritual prisoners free.” 123:5.11 (1363.4) 當在七歲進入學校時(此時猶太人剛開始義務教育法),學生照慣例選擇他們的「生日文本,」某種在他們學習期間指導他們的黃金法則,一種他們在十三歲畢業時通常要闡述的文本。耶穌選擇的文本來自先知以賽亞:「上主神的靈在我身上,因為上主已膏抹我;他派遣我把好消息帶給謙卑的人,醫治傷心的人,宣告被擄的人得到自由,並釋放屬靈的囚徒。 」 123:5.12 (1363.5) Nazareth was one of the twenty-four priest centers of the Hebrew nation. But the Galilean priesthood was more liberal in the interpretation of the traditional laws than were the Judean scribes and rabbis. And at Nazareth they were also more liberal regarding the observance of the Sabbath. It was therefore the custom for Joseph to take Jesus out for walks on Sabbath afternoons, one of their favorite jaunts being to climb the high hill near their home, from which they could obtain a panoramic view of all Galilee. To the northwest, on clear days, they could see the long ridge of Mount Carmel running down to the sea; and many times Jesus heard his father relate the story of Elijah, one of the first of that long line of Hebrew prophets, who reproved Ahab and exposed the priests of Baal. To the north Mount Hermon raised its snowy peak in majestic splendor and monopolized the skyline, almost 3,000 feet of the upper slopes glistening white with perpetual snow. Far to the east they could discern the Jordan valley and, far beyond, the rocky hills of Moab. Also to the south and the east, when the sun shone upon their marble walls, they could see the Greco-Roman cities of the Decapolis, with their amphitheaters and pretentious temples. And when they lingered toward the going down of the sun, to the west they could make out the sailing vessels on the distant Mediterranean. 123:5.12 (1363.5) 拿撒勒是希伯來民族二十四個祭司中心之一。 但加利利的祭司階層在傳統律法的闡釋上,比猶太的文士和拉比更為自由。在拿撒勒,他們對安息日的遵守也更為自由。因此,約瑟夫習慣帶著耶穌在安息日下午出去散步,他們最喜歡的短途旅行之一就是爬上他們家附近的高山,從那裡他們可以欣賞到整個加利利的全景。在晴朗的日子裡,往西北方向,他們能看到迦密山的漫長山脊延伸到大海;許多次耶穌聽他父親講述以利亞的故事,那長長的希伯來先知行列中最早的先知之一,以利亞譴責了亞哈,並揭露了巴力的祭司。往北面,黑門山白雪皚皚的山峰宏偉壯麗地聳立著,獨佔天際,幾近3,000英尺高的山坡上終年積雪,閃耀著潔白光輝。在遙遠的東邊,他們能辨識出約旦河谷,以及再遠處摩押山的岩石山丘。同樣往南及往東,當太陽照耀到德卡波利斯的希臘羅馬城市的大理石牆時,他們能看到伴隨其圓形劇場和誇飾聖堂的這些城市。而當他們流連忘返直到接近太陽下山時,往西他們能辨認出在遙遠地中海上的船隻。 123:5.13 (1364.1) From four directions Jesus could observe the caravan trains as they wended their way in and out of Nazareth, and to the south he could overlook the broad and fertile plain country of Esdraelon, stretching off toward Mount Gilboa and Samaria. 123:5.13 (1364.1) 從四個方向耶穌都能觀察到商隊列車進出拿撒勒,往南他能俯瞰以斯德倫寬廣肥沃的平原地區,綿延至基利波山和撒瑪利亞。 123:5.14 (1364.2) When they did not climb the heights to view the distant landscape, they strolled through the countryside and studied nature in her various moods in accordance with the seasons. Jesus’ earliest training, aside from that of the home hearth, had to do with a reverent and sympathetic contact with nature. 123:5.14 (1364.2) 當他們沒有爬上高處眺望遠方風景時,他們在鄉間漫步,研究大自然依照季節而爾衍生出的各種情緒。耶穌的最早訓練,除了家中爐邊的培訓以外,還與對大自然恭敬且具共鳴的接觸有關。 123:5.15 (1364.3) Before he was eight years of age, he was known to all the mothers and young women of Nazareth, who had met him and talked with him at the spring, which was not far from his home, and which was one of the social centers of contact and gossip for the entire town. This year Jesus learned to milk the family cow and care for the other animals. During this and the following year he also learned to make cheese and to weave. When he was ten years of age, he was an expert loom operator. It was about this time that Jesus and the neighbor boy Jacob became great friends of the potter who worked near the flowing spring; and as they watched Nathan’s deft fingers mold the clay on the potter’s wheel, many times both of them determined to be potters when they grew up. Nathan was very fond of the lads and often gave them clay to play with, seeking to stimulate their creative imaginations by suggesting competitive efforts in modeling various objects and animals. 123:5.15 (1364.3) 在他八歲之前,拿撒勒的所有母親和年輕婦女都認識他,她們在離他家不遠的泉水源頭見過他並與他交談,泉水源頭也是整個城鎮聯絡和閒談的社交中心之一。這年耶穌學會了給家裡的母牛擠奶和照顧其它牲畜。在這一年和接下來的一年期間,他也學會了製作乳酪和織布。當他十歲時,他是一個熟練的織布機操作者。大約在這個時候,耶穌和鄰居男孩雅各成了在流動的泉水附近工作的陶匠的好朋友;當他們觀看內森靈巧的手指在陶輪上塑造粘土時,他們倆多次決定長大後要成為陶匠。內森非常喜愛小男孩們,並經常給他們粘土玩,透過建議在塑造各種物體和動物上進行競爭來尋求激發他們的創造性想像力。 6. His Eighth Year (A.D. 2) 6. 他的第八年(西元2年) 123:6.1 (1364.4) This was an interesting year at school. Although Jesus was not an unusual student, he was a diligent pupil and belonged to the more progressive third of the class, doing his work so well that he was excused from attendance one week out of each month. This week he usually spent either with his fisherman uncle on the shores of the Sea of Galilee near Magdala or on the farm of another uncle (his mother’s brother) five miles south of Nazareth. 123:6.1 (1364.4) 這是在學校裡有趣的一年,雖然耶穌不是一個不尋常的學生,但他是一個勤奮的學生,屬於班級較為進步的三分之一,他的功課做得如此的好,以致他每個月可有一周不用上課。這一個星期他通常要不是和他的漁夫舅舅在靠近抹大拉的加利利海岸邊度過,就是待在拿撒勒南面五英里處另一個舅舅(他母親的兄弟)的農場裡。 123:6.2 (1364.5) Although his mother had become unduly anxious about his health and safety, she gradually became reconciled to these trips away from home. Jesus’ uncles and aunts were all very fond of him, and there ensued a lively competition among them to secure his company for these monthly visits throughout this and immediately subsequent years. His first week’s sojourn on his uncle’s farm (since infancy) was in January of this year; the first week’s fishing experience on the Sea of Galilee occurred in the month of May. 123:6.2 (1364.5) 儘管他的母親對於他的健康和安全變得過度擔憂,但她逐漸接受了這些離家的旅行。耶穌的舅舅和舅媽們都很喜歡他,在他們中間因而產生了熱烈的競爭,以確保在這一年和接下來的幾年裡在這些每月造訪中獲得他的陪伴。他在他舅舅農場的第一個星期的旅居(自嬰兒以來)是在這一年的1月;在加利利海第一周的捕魚經歷則發生在五月。 123:6.3 (1364.6) About this time Jesus met a teacher of mathematics from Damascus, and learning some new techniques of numbers, he spent much time on mathematics for several years. He developed a keen sense of numbers, distances, and proportions. 123:6.3 (1364.6) 大約此時,耶穌遇到了一位來自大馬士革的數學教師,並學習了一些新的算數技巧,他花了大量時間在數學上長達好幾年。他對數字、距離和比例發展出一種敏銳的感覺。 123:6.4 (1364.7) Jesus began to enjoy his brother James very much and by the end of this year had begun to teach him the alphabet. 123:6.4 (1364.7) 耶穌開始非常喜歡他的弟弟詹姆斯,到了這一年年底,他已經開始教他字母表。 123:6.5 (1364.8) This year Jesus made arrangements to exchange dairy products for lessons on the harp. He had an unusual liking for everything musical. Later on he did much to promote an interest in vocal music among his youthful associates. By the time he was eleven years of age, he was a skillful harpist and greatly enjoyed entertaining both family and friends with his extraordinary interpretations and able improvisations. 123:6.5 (1364.8) 這年耶穌安排用乳製品來換取學習豎琴課。他對關於音樂的所有事都有著不尋常的喜好。後來,他做了許多努力來促進他年輕同伴間對聲樂的興趣。到他十一歲時,他是一個熟練的豎琴師,非常喜歡用他非凡的演繹和精湛的即興表演娛樂家人和朋友。 123:6.6 (1365.1) While Jesus continued to make enviable progress at school, all did not run smoothly for either parents or teachers. He persisted in asking many embarrassing questions concerning both science and religion, particularly regarding geography and astronomy. He was especially insistent on finding out why there was a dry season and a rainy season in Palestine. Repeatedly he sought the explanation for the great difference between the temperatures of Nazareth and the Jordan valley. He simply never ceased to ask such intelligent but perplexing questions. 123:6.6 (1365.1) 儘管耶穌持續在學校取得令人羨慕的進展,但對於父母或老師來說,並非一切都一帆風順。他執意提出許多涉及科學和宗教的令人尷尬的問題,特別是關於地理和天文的問題。他尤其堅持要找出為何巴勒斯坦會有旱季和雨季。他一再尋求拿撒勒和約旦河谷間巨大溫差的解釋。他完全無法停止詢問這種聰明但卻令人費解的問題。 123:6.7 (1365.2) His third brother, Simon, was born on Friday evening, April 14, of this year, A.D. 2. 123:6.7 (1365.2) 他的第三個弟弟西蒙出生於西元2年這一年的4月14日星期五傍晚。 123:6.8 (1365.3) In February, Nahor, one of the teachers in a Jerusalem academy of the rabbis, came to Nazareth to observe Jesus, having been on a similar mission to Zacharias’s home near Jerusalem. He came to Nazareth at the instigation of John’s father. While at first he was somewhat shocked by Jesus’ frankness and unconventional manner of relating himself to things religious, he attributed it to the remoteness of Galilee from the centers of Hebrew learning and culture and advised Joseph and Mary to allow him to take Jesus back with him to Jerusalem, where he could have the advantages of education and training at the center of Jewish culture. Mary was half persuaded to consent; she was convinced her eldest son was to become the Messiah, the Jewish deliverer; Joseph hesitated; he was equally persuaded that Jesus was to grow up to become a man of destiny, but what that destiny would prove to be he was profoundly uncertain. But he never really doubted that his son was to fulfill some great mission on earth. The more he thought about Nahor’s advice, the more he questioned the wisdom of the proposed sojourn in Jerusalem. 123:6.8 (1365.3) 在二月份,耶路撒冷拉比學院的一位老師拿鶴,前來拿撒勒觀察耶穌,他曾前往耶路撒冷附近撒迦利亞家裡執行過類似的任務。他在約翰父親的鼓動下來到拿撒勒。儘管起初他對於耶穌以坦率和非傳統方式表達自己與宗教事物的關聯而感到震驚,他將其歸因於加利利遠離希伯來學習和教化中心,並建議約瑟夫和瑪利亞允許他將耶穌帶回耶路撒冷,在那裡他可以在猶太文化中心享有教育和培訓的優勢。瑪利亞半信半疑地同意;她確信她的長子會成為彌賽亞,猶太人的拯救者;約瑟夫猶豫不決;他同樣被說服耶穌長大要成為一個天命之人,但那天命將會是什麼結果他極為不確定。但他從未真正懷疑他的兒子將要在世上完成某個偉大的使命。他越是思考拿鶴的建議,他便越質疑在耶路撒冷旅居的提議是否明智。 123:6.9 (1365.4) Because of this difference of opinion between Joseph and Mary, Nahor requested permission to lay the whole matter before Jesus. Jesus listened attentively, talked with Joseph, Mary, and a neighbor, Jacob the stone mason, whose son was his favorite playmate, and then, two days later, reported that since there was such a difference of opinion among his parents and advisers, and since he did not feel competent to assume the responsibility for such a decision, not feeling strongly one way or the other, in view of the whole situation, he had finally decided to “talk with my Father who is in heaven”; and while he was not perfectly sure about the answer, he rather felt he should remain at home “with my father and mother,” adding, “they who love me so much should be able to do more for me and guide me more safely than strangers who can only view my body and observe my mind but can hardly truly know me.” They all marveled, and Nahor went his way, back to Jerusalem. And it was many years before the subject of Jesus’ going away from home again came up for consideration. 123:6.9 (1365.4) 由於約瑟夫和瑪利亞的這種意見分歧,拿鶴請求允許將整件事擺在耶穌面前。耶穌聚精會神地聆聽,與約瑟夫、瑪利亞和鄰居石匠雅各交談,雅各是他最喜歡玩伴的父親,然後,兩天之後,他報告說,由於在他父母和建議者之間存在這樣一種意見分歧,而且由於他覺得沒有能力承擔這一決定的責任,不管怎樣都沒有強烈的感覺,考慮到整個情形,他最終決定要「與我在天上的『父』交談」;雖然他並不完全確定答案,他仍覺得他應留在家裡「與我的父母一起」,並補充說到,「他們如此愛我,比起那些只能看到我身體並觀察我心智但幾乎不能真正瞭解我的陌生人,他們應該能為我做更多並更安全地指導我。 」他們都驚歎不已,拿鶴便動身返回耶路撒冷。直到多年後,耶穌離家的話題才再次引起考慮。

9. elo 2024 - 37 min
jakson 第122篇 耶穌的誕生和嬰兒期 kansikuva

第122篇 耶穌的誕生和嬰兒期

Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/聽聽《玉苒廈之書》––-第四部分/id1758596036] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/27Q4DX940tDz9Xpk9zdBZN?si=35cbb00eb95a4a95] Youtube [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_YC5HbVczI-JnOl5e6d5sg6givfXh7QA&si=u8iPj8b7WlXM3VGG] Paper 122 Birth and Infancy of Jesus 第122篇 耶穌的誕生和嬰兒期 122:0.1 (1344.1) IT WILL hardly be possible fully to explain the many reasons which led to the selection of Palestine as the land for Michael’s bestowal, and especially as to just why the family of Joseph and Mary should have been chosen as the immediate setting for the appearance of this Son of God on Urantia. 122:0.1 (1344.1) 要完全解釋導致選擇巴勒斯坦作為邁克爾贈與之地的許多原因幾乎是不可能的,尤其是對於為何約瑟夫和瑪利亞的家庭應被選為這位神之聖子在玉苒廈上出現的直接環境。 122:0.2 (1344.2) After a study of the special report on the status of segregated worlds prepared by the Melchizedeks, in counsel with Gabriel, Michael finally chose Urantia as the planet whereon to enact his final bestowal. Subsequent to this decision Gabriel made a personal visit to Urantia, and, as a result of his study of human groups and his survey of the spiritual, intellectual, racial, and geographic features of the world and its peoples, he decided that the Hebrews possessed those relative advantages which warranted their selection as the bestowal race. Upon Michael’s approval of this decision, Gabriel appointed and dispatched to Urantia the Family Commission of Twelve—selected from among the higher orders of universe personalities—which was intrusted with the task of making an investigation of Jewish family life. When this commission ended its labors, Gabriel was present on Urantia and received the report nominating three prospective unions as being, in the opinion of the commission, equally favorable as bestowal families for Michael’s projected incarnation.  122:0.2 (1344.2) 在研究默基瑟德們所準備關於被隔離世界狀況的特別報告後,邁克爾與加百列商議並最終選擇了玉苒廈作為他進行最終贈與的行星。繼這一決定之後,加百列親自造訪了玉苒廈,基於他對人類族群之研究和對這世界及其各民族之靈性、智性、種族和地理特徵的調查,他決定希伯來人擁有那些足以使他們被選為贈與種族的相對優勢。在邁克爾批准這一決定之際,加百列任命並派遣了從更高類別宇宙人格體中間所選出的十二名家庭委員會前往玉苒廈,它被委以對猶太家庭生活進行調查的任務。當這一委員會結束其工作時,加百列出現在玉苒廈上,並收到了提名三對潛在夫婦的報告,就委員會的見解來說,他們作為邁克爾計劃化身的贈與家庭是同樣有利的。 122:0.3 (1344.3) From the three couples nominated, Gabriel made the personal choice of Joseph and Mary, subsequently making his personal appearance to Mary, at which time he imparted to her the glad tidings that she had been selected to become the earth mother of the bestowal child. 122:0.3 (1344.3) 從被提名的三對夫婦中,加百列親自選定了約瑟夫和瑪利亞,隨後親自向瑪利亞顯現,在那時他向她傳遞了一個喜訊,即她已被選定成為贈與嬰兒的世間母親。 1. Joseph and Mary Christ 1. 約瑟夫和瑪利亞 122:1.1 (1344.4) Joseph, the human father of Jesus (Joshua ben Joseph), was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, albeit he carried many non-Jewish racial strains which had been added to his ancestral tree from time to time by the female lines of his progenitors. The ancestry of the father of Jesus went back to the days of Abraham and through this venerable patriarch to the earlier lines of inheritance leading to the Sumerians and Nodites and, through the southern tribes of the ancient blue man, to Andon and Fonta. David and Solomon were not in the direct line of Joseph’s ancestry, neither did Joseph’s lineage go directly back to Adam. Joseph’s immediate ancestors were mechanics—builders, carpenters, masons, and smiths. Joseph himself was a carpenter and later a contractor. His family belonged to a long and illustrious line of the nobility of the common people, accentuated ever and anon by the appearance of unusual individuals who had distinguished themselves in connection with the evolution of religion on Urantia. 122:1.1 (1344.4)  耶穌(約書亞·本·約瑟夫)的人類父親約瑟夫是希伯来人所生的希伯来人,儘管他攜帶了許多不時由他的女系祖先添加到他祖譜的非猶太人種族血統。耶穌父親的祖先可追溯到亞伯拉罕的時代,並經由這一令人尊敬的族長追溯到通向蘇美爾人和諾德族人的更早遺傳家系,並經由古代藍種人的南方部族回溯到安東和芳達。大衛和所羅門並未在約瑟夫的祖先直系中,約瑟夫的世系也並未直接回溯到亞當。約瑟夫的直系祖先們是技工——建築工、木匠、石匠和鐵匠。約瑟夫本身是一個木匠,後來是一個承包商。他的家族屬於平民中一個長期而又顯赫的貴族家系,此貴族家系不時因那些與玉苒廈上宗教演進相關的出類拔萃之非凡個體的出現而更加凸顯。 122:1.2 (1345.1) Mary, the earth mother of Jesus, was a descendant of a long line of unique ancestors embracing many of the most remarkable women in the racial history of Urantia. Although Mary was an average woman of her day and generation, possessing a fairly normal temperament, she reckoned among her ancestors such well-known women as Annon, Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba, Ansie, Cloa, Eve, Enta, and Ratta. No Jewish woman of that day had a more illustrious lineage of common progenitors or one extending back to more auspicious beginnings. Mary’s ancestry, like Joseph’s, was characterized by the predominance of strong but average individuals, relieved now and then by numerous outstanding personalities in the march of civilization and the progressive evolution of religion. Racially considered, it is hardly proper to regard Mary as a Jewess. In culture and belief she was a Jew, but in hereditary endowment she was more a composite of Syrian, Hittite, Phoenician, Greek, and Egyptian stocks, her racial inheritance being more general than that of Joseph. 122:1.2 (1345.1) 耶穌的世間母親瑪利亞,是一個獨特祖先之久遠家系的後裔,這些祖先擁有玉苒廈種族歷史上許多最傑出的女性。儘管瑪利亞是她的時代和世代中的一個普通女性,擁有相當正常的性情,她的祖先中包含了如安儂、塔瑪爾、路得、拔示巴、安西、克洛阿、夏娃、恩塔和拉塔這些有名的女性。那個時代沒有哪位猶太女性擁有更為顯赫的平民祖先世系,或是擁有一個可追溯到比這更具吉兆開端的世系。瑪利亞的祖先像約瑟夫的祖先一樣,其特點是以堅強但一般的個體為主,不時因在文明進程和宗教漸進演變中的許多傑出人格體而凸顯。從種族角度來看,將瑪利亞視為猶太婦人是極不恰當的。在文化和信仰上,她是猶太人,不過在遺傳稟賦方面,她更為是敘利亞人、西臺人、腓尼基人、希臘人和埃及人血統的一種綜合體,她的種族遺傳比約瑟夫的更為全面。 122:1.3 (1345.2) Of all couples living in Palestine at about the time of Michael’s projected bestowal, Joseph and Mary possessed the most ideal combination of widespread racial connections and superior average of personality endowments. It was the plan of Michael to appear on earth as an average man, that the common people might understand him and receive him; wherefore Gabriel selected just such persons as Joseph and Mary to become the bestowal parents. 122:1.3 (1345.2) 大約在邁克爾計劃贈與之際,居住在巴勒斯坦的所有夫婦中,約瑟夫和瑪利亞擁有由廣泛種族關係和優於平均人格稟賦所組成的最理想組合。邁克爾的計劃正是在世上作為一個普通人出現,這樣一般人可以理解他和接受他;為此加百列選擇了像約瑟夫和瑪利亞這樣的人成為贈與的父母。 2. Gabriel Appears to Elizabeth 2. 加百列向伊莉莎白顯現 122:2.1 (1345.3) Jesus’ lifework on Urantia was really begun by John the Baptist. Zacharias, John’s father, belonged to the Jewish priesthood, while his mother, Elizabeth, was a member of the more prosperous branch of the same large family group to which Mary the mother of Jesus also belonged. Zacharias and Elizabeth, though they had been married many years, were childless. 122:2.1 (1345.3) 耶穌在玉苒廈上的畢生事業實際上是由施洗約翰開始的。約翰的父親撒迦利亞屬於猶太人祭司階層,而他的母親,伊莉莎白,則是耶穌母親瑪利亞也所屬的同一大家族中更為富裕分支的成員。儘管撒迦利亞和伊莉莎白結婚許多年,但他們沒有孩子。 122:2.2 (1345.4) It was late in the month of June, 8 b.c., about three months after the marriage of Joseph and Mary, that Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth at noontide one day, just as he later made his presence known to Mary. Said Gabriel: 122:2.2 (1345.4) 西元前8年6月下旬,也就是大約在約瑟夫和瑪利亞結婚後三個月,加百列在一天正午向伊莉莎白顯現,正如他之後讓瑪利亞知道他的存在一樣。加百列說道: 122:2.3 (1345.5) “While your husband, Zacharias, stands before the altar in Jerusalem, and while the assembled people pray for the coming of a deliverer, I, Gabriel, have come to announce that you will shortly bear a son who shall be the forerunner of this divine teacher, and you shall call your son John. He will grow up dedicated to the Lord your God, and when he has come to full years, he will gladden your heart because he will turn many souls to God, and he will also proclaim the coming of the soul-healer of your people and the spirit-liberator of all mankind. Your kinswoman Mary shall be the mother of this child of promise, and I will also appear to her.” 122:2.3 (1345.5) 「當你的丈夫撒迦利亞站在耶路撒冷的祭壇前,當聚集起來的人們祈禱一位拯救者的到來時,我,加百列,已前來宣佈,你不久將會生下一個兒子,他將會是這一神聖導師的先行者,而你應稱你的兒子為約翰。他將成長為獻身於上主、你們的神,當他成年後,他將使妳心中充滿喜悅,因為他將使許多靈魂歸向神,他也將宣稱你們民族靈魂治癒者和全人類靈性解放者的到來。你的親屬瑪利亞將會是這一應許之子的母親,我也將向她顯現。 」 122:2.4 (1345.6) This vision greatly frightened Elizabeth. After Gabriel’s departure she turned this experience over in her mind, long pondering the sayings of the majestic visitor, but did not speak of the revelation to anyone save her husband until her subsequent visit with Mary in early February of the following year. 122:2.4 (1345.6) 這一顯現令伊莉莎白極為驚嚇。在加百列離開後,她在心中反覆思考這一經歷,長時間細思這位威嚴造訪者的話語,但除了她丈夫以外,她並未向任何人提及這一啟示,直到她隨後於次年的二月上旬造訪瑪利亞。 122:2.5 (1345.7) For five months, however, Elizabeth withheld her secret even from her husband. Upon her disclosure of the story of Gabriel’s visit, Zacharias was very skeptical and for weeks doubted the entire experience, only consenting halfheartedly to believe in Gabriel’s visit to his wife when he could no longer question that she was expectant with child. Zacharias was very much perplexed regarding the prospective motherhood of Elizabeth, but he did not doubt the integrity of his wife, notwithstanding his own advanced age. It was not until about six weeks before John’s birth that Zacharias, as the result of an impressive dream, became fully convinced that Elizabeth was to become the mother of a son of destiny, one who was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. 122:2.5 (1345.7) 然而,伊莉莎白甚至向她丈夫隱瞞了她的秘密達五個月之久。當她透露加百列造訪的故事時,撒加利亞非常懷疑,數周來一直不相信這整個經歷,當他無法再質疑她已經懷孕時,才勉強相信加百列造訪過他的妻子。撒迦利亞對伊莉莎白即將成為母親感到非常困惑,但他並未懷疑他妻子的正直,儘管他自己年事已高。直到約翰誕生前大約六周時,撒迦利亞因為一個印象深刻的夢,才完全確信伊莉莎白將要成為一個天命之子的母親,這個孩子將要為彌賽亞的到來開路。 122:2.6 (1346.1) Gabriel appeared to Mary about the middle of November, 8 b.c., while she was at work in her Nazareth home. Later on, after Mary knew without doubt that she was to become a mother, she persuaded Joseph to let her journey to the City of Judah, four miles west of Jerusalem, in the hills, to visit Elizabeth. Gabriel had informed each of these mothers-to-be of his appearance to the other. Naturally they were anxious to get together, compare experiences, and talk over the probable futures of their sons. Mary remained with her distant cousin for three weeks. Elizabeth did much to strengthen Mary’s faith in the vision of Gabriel, so that she returned home more fully dedicated to the call to mother the child of destiny whom she was so soon to present to the world as a helpless babe, an average and normal infant of the realm. 122:2.6 (1346.1) 加百列大約在西元前8年11月中旬向瑪利亞顯現,那時她在其拿撒勒家中工作。後來,在瑪利亞毫無疑問地知道她將要成為一位母親後,她說服約瑟夫讓她前往耶路撒冷以西六公里多山區中的猶大城拜訪伊莉莎白。加百列已告知每一位這些即將成為母親的人,他對於另外一位的顯現。自然的,她們急於聚在一起參照經歷,商討他們兒子可能的未來。瑪利亞與她的這位遠房親戚待在一起三個星期,伊莉莎白為增強瑪利亞對加百列顯現的信心費了不少心思,因此瑪利亞返回家園更加全心全意致力於養育天命之子的召喚中,她不久便將他作為一個無助的嬰兒,一個該領域普通而又正常的嬰兒,呈獻給這個世界。 122:2.7 (1346.2) John was born in the City of Judah, March 25, 7 b.c. Zacharias and Elizabeth rejoiced greatly in the realization that a son had come to them as Gabriel had promised, and when on the eighth day they presented the child for circumcision, they formally christened him John, as they had been directed aforetime. Already had a nephew of Zacharias departed for Nazareth, carrying the message of Elizabeth to Mary proclaiming that a son had been born to her and that his name was to be John. 122:2.7 (1346.2) 約翰於西元前7年3月25日誕生於猶大城。撒迦利亞和伊莉莎白意識到一個兒子已如加百列所應許的那樣來到他們身邊而極為歡喜,在第八天時他們為這孩子進行割禮時,他們正式將他命名為約翰,正如他們先前所被指示的那樣。撒迦利亞的一個侄子已動身前往拿撒勒,帶著伊莉莎白給瑪利亞的消息,宣布她已經生下一個兒子,並且他的名字將是約翰。 122:2.8 (1346.3) From his earliest infancy John was judiciously impressed by his parents with the idea that he was to grow up to become a spiritual leader and religious teacher. And the soil of John’s heart was ever responsive to the sowing of such suggestive seeds. Even as a child he was found frequently at the temple during the seasons of his father’s service, and he was tremendously impressed with the significance of all that he saw. 122:2.8 (1346.3) 從約翰最早嬰兒期,他的父母就明智地灌輸他長大要成為一個靈性領袖和宗教導師的觀念。約翰的內心土壤對這種暗示性種子的播種總是積極反應。即便在孩童時期,他也被發現在他父親服侍的季節期間經常出現在聖殿,他也對他所見一切的重要意義有著極為深刻的印象。 3. Gabriel’s Announcement to Mary 3. 加百列對瑪利亞的宣告 122:3.1 (1346.4) One evening about sundown, before Joseph had returned home, Gabriel appeared to Mary by the side of a low stone table and, after she had recovered her composure, said: “I come at the bidding of one who is my Master and whom you shall love and nurture. To you, Mary, I bring glad tidings when I announce that the conception within you is ordained by heaven, and that in due time you will become the mother of a son; you shall call him Joshua, and he shall inaugurate the kingdom of heaven on earth and among men. Speak not of this matter save to Joseph and to Elizabeth, your kinswoman, to whom I have also appeared, and who shall presently also bear a son, whose name shall be John, and who will prepare the way for the message of deliverance which your son shall proclaim to men with great power and deep conviction. And doubt not my word, Mary, for this home has been chosen as the mortal habitat of the child of destiny. My benediction rests upon you, the power of the Most Highs will strengthen you, and the Lord of all the earth shall overshadow you.” 122:3.1 (1346.4) 大約日落時分的一天傍晚,在約瑟夫返家之前,加百列在一個低矮石桌旁向瑪利亞顯現,在她恢復鎮定後,他說道:「我奉我主之命前來,他是妳將會愛護和養育的那一位。對於妳瑪利亞,我帶來了好消息,我宣佈妳身內的胎兒是由上天命定,妳適時將成為一個兒子的母親;妳要稱他為約書亞,他將在世上和人們中開創天國。 除了對約瑟夫和妳的遠親伊莉莎白以外,不要提及這件事,我也向伊莉莎白顯現過,她不久也將生下一個兒子,他的名字將是約翰,他將為拯救的訊息預備道路,你的兒子將以強大的力量和深深的信念向人們宣告這拯救的訊息。不要懷疑我的話語,瑪利亞,因為這個家庭已被選為天命之子的凡間居住地。我的祝福與妳同在,極高者的力量將使妳強大,大地之主將會庇護妳。 」 122:3.2 (1346.5) Mary pondered this visitation secretly in her heart for many weeks until of a certainty she knew she was with child, before she dared to disclose these unusual events to her husband. When Joseph heard all about this, although he had great confidence in Mary, he was much troubled and could not sleep for many nights. At first Joseph had doubts about the Gabriel visitation. Then when he became well-nigh persuaded that Mary had really heard the voice and beheld the form of the divine messenger, he was torn in mind as he pondered how such things could be. How could the offspring of human beings be a child of divine destiny? Never could Joseph reconcile these conflicting ideas until, after several weeks of thought, both he and Mary reached the conclusion that they had been chosen to become the parents of the Messiah, though it had hardly been the Jewish concept that the expected deliverer was to be of divine nature. Upon arriving at this momentous conclusion, Mary hastened to depart for a visit with Elizabeth. 122:3.2 (1346.5) 瑪利亞在她心中暗自思索了這次的探訪好幾個星期,直到確定自己懷孕了,她才敢將這些非比尋常之事透露給她的丈夫。當約瑟夫聽到這一切時,儘管他對瑪利亞有極大信心,但他卻極為困擾,許多晚都無法入睡。起初,約瑟夫懷疑加百列的探訪。然後當他幾乎被說服瑪利亞真的聽到這位神的使者的聲音並見到其身形時,當他思考這種事如何會發生時,心中感到不知所措。人類的後代怎麼可能是神聖天命之子?約瑟夫從未能調和這些衝突的觀念,直到經過幾個星期的思考後,他和瑪利亞都得出結論,他們被選為彌賽亞的父母,儘管期待的拯救者將具有神的本性這件事幾乎不在猶太人的概念裡。在達成這一重大結論之際,瑪利亞便急忙動身前去拜訪伊莉莎白。 122:3.3 (1347.1) Upon her return, Mary went to visit her parents, Joachim and Hannah. Her two brothers and two sisters, as well as her parents, were always very skeptical about the divine mission of Jesus, though, of course, at this time they knew nothing of the Gabriel visitation. But Mary did confide to her sister Salome that she thought her son was destined to become a great teacher. 122:3.3 (1347.1) 在瑪利亞返回後,她去拜訪了她的父母約阿希姆和安妮。她的兩個兄弟和兩個姐妹,以及她的父母對於耶穌的神聖使命總是感到非常懷疑,當然他們此時對加百列的探訪一無所知。不過瑪利亞的確向她的妹妹撒羅米透露,她認為她的兒子註定會成為一名偉大的導師。 122:3.4 (1347.2) Gabriel’s announcement to Mary was made the day following the conception of Jesus and was the only event of supernatural occurrence connected with her entire experience of carrying and bearing the child of promise. 122:3.4 (1347.2) 加百列向瑪利亞的宣告是在耶穌的受孕次日進行的,這是與她懷孕和生下應許之子的整個經歷相關的唯一超自然事件。 4. Joseph’s Dream 4. 約瑟夫的夢 122:4.1 (1347.3) Joseph did not become reconciled to the idea that Mary was to become the mother of an extraordinary child until after he had experienced a very impressive dream. In this dream a brilliant celestial messenger appeared to him and, among other things, said: “Joseph, I appear by command of Him who now reigns on high, and I am directed to instruct you concerning the son whom Mary shall bear, and who shall become a great light in the world. In him will be life, and his life shall become the light of mankind. He shall first come to his own people, but they will hardly receive him; but to as many as shall receive him to them will he reveal that they are the children of God.” After this experience Joseph never again wholly doubted Mary’s story of Gabriel’s visit and of the promise that the unborn child was to become a divine messenger to the world. 122:4.1 (1347.3) 直到約瑟夫經歷了一場非常深刻的夢境後,他才接受了瑪利亞將要成為一個非凡之子母親的想法。在這場夢中,一位光輝奪目的天界使者向他顯現,除了其它事之外,說道:「約瑟夫,我奉此時天上的支配者之命顯現,我受指示告知你關於瑪利亞將要生的兒子,他將在世界上成為一道偉大之光。在他之內將有生命,而他的生命將會成為人類的光。他將首先來到他自己的民族,但他們幾乎不會接受他;然而對於接受他之人,他將向他們揭示他們是神的兒女。」在這次經歷之後,約瑟夫再也不會完全地懷疑瑪利亞關於加百列造訪的故事,以及關於未出生的孩子將成為世界之神聖使者的應許。 122:4.2 (1347.4) In all these visitations nothing was said about the house of David. Nothing was ever intimated about Jesus’ becoming a “deliverer of the Jews,” not even that he was to be the long-expected Messiah. Jesus was not such a Messiah as the Jews had anticipated, but he was the world’s deliverer. His mission was to all races and peoples, not to any one group. 122:4.2 (1347.4) 在所有這些探訪中,都沒有提及大衛家族。也從未暗示過關於耶穌成為「猶太人的拯救者」,甚至未暗示過他將是期待已久的彌賽亞。耶穌並不是如猶太人所預期那樣的彌賽亞,但他卻是世界的拯救者。他的使命是針對所有種族和民族,而不是針對任何一個群體。 122:4.3 (1347.5) Joseph was not of the line of King David. Mary had more of the Davidic ancestry than Joseph. True, Joseph did go to the City of David, Bethlehem, to be registered for the Roman census, but that was because, six generations previously, Joseph’s paternal ancestor of that generation, being an orphan, was adopted by one Zadoc, who was a direct descendant of David; hence was Joseph also accounted as of the “house of David.” 122:4.3 (1347.5) 約瑟夫並不是大衛王的後裔。瑪利亞比約瑟夫擁有更多的大衛血統。確實,約瑟夫的確去過大衛城伯利恆,為羅馬人口普查做登記,但那是因為,六代以前,約瑟夫的那一代的父系祖先是個孤兒,被大衛的一個直繫後代撒督(Zadoc)所收養;因此約瑟夫也被算作「大衛家族」的人。 122:4.4 (1347.6) Most of the so-called Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament were made to apply to Jesus long after his life had been lived on earth. For centuries the Hebrew prophets had proclaimed the coming of a deliverer, and these promises had been construed by successive generations as referring to a new Jewish ruler who would sit upon the throne of David and, by the reputed miraculous methods of Moses, proceed to establish the Jews in Palestine as a powerful nation, free from all foreign domination. Again, many figurative passages found throughout the Hebrew scriptures were subsequently misapplied to the life mission of Jesus. Many Old Testament sayings were so distorted as to appear to fit some episode of the Master’s earth life. Jesus himself onetime publicly denied any connection with the royal house of David. Even the passage, “a maiden shall bear a son,” was made to read, “a virgin shall bear a son.” This was also true of the many genealogies of both Joseph and Mary which were constructed subsequent to Michael’s career on earth. Many of these lineages contain much of the Master’s ancestry, but on the whole they are not genuine and may not be depended upon as factual. The early followers of Jesus all too often succumbed to the temptation to make all the olden prophetic utterances appear to find fulfillment in the life of their Lord and Master. 122:4.4 (1347.6) 《舊約》中大多數所謂的彌賽亞預言,都是在耶穌生活在世上很久之後才被應用到他身上。多個世紀以來,希伯來先知們宣稱了一個拯救者的到來,這些應許被相繼世代編造為有關一個將坐上大衛的寶座的新猶太統治者,藉由傳說的摩西奇跡方式,著手將巴勒斯坦的猶太人建立為一個強有力的國家,免於所有外來統治。再次地,希伯來經文中所找到的許多比喻性段落,隨後也被誤用到耶穌的人生使命。許多舊約語錄被如此扭曲以至於看似與主世間生活的某些情節相符。耶穌本身曾公開否認與大衛王室的任何關聯。甚至「一個少女將生子」這段話也被改為「一個處女將生子。」約瑟夫和瑪利亞的許多家譜也是如此,它們是在邁克爾世上生涯之後才被構建。許多這些譜系包含了主的大部分祖先,但整體上它們不是真實的,也不可被作為事實依據。耶穌的早期追隨者們往往過於屈服一種誘惑,那就是把所有古時先知話語看為在他們上主和主的生活中得到應驗。 5. Jesus’ Earth Parents 5. 耶穌的世間父母 122:5.1 (1348.1) Joseph was a mild-mannered man, extremely conscientious, and in every way faithful to the religious conventions and practices of his people. He talked little but thought much. The sorry plight of the Jewish people caused Joseph much sadness. As a youth, among his eight brothers and sisters, he had been more cheerful, but in the earlier years of married life (during Jesus’ childhood) he was subject to periods of mild spiritual discouragement. These temperamental manifestations were greatly improved just before his untimely death and after the economic condition of his family had been enhanced by his advancement from the rank of carpenter to the role of a prosperous contractor. 122:5.1 (1348.1) 約瑟夫是一個性情溫和的人,極為盡責,並在各方面完全忠於其民族的宗教習俗和實踐。他話不多,但想得很多。猶太民族的悲慘困境給約瑟夫帶來了許多悲傷。年輕時,在他八個兄弟姐妹中,他較為開朗,但在婚後生活的早期(在耶穌童年期間),他遭受到輕微的精神沮喪期。就在他不幸早逝之前,和在他的家庭經濟狀況因爲他從木匠身份晉升到富裕承包商職位而得到提高之後,這些性情上的表現得到了極大改善。 122:5.2 (1348.2) Mary’s temperament was quite opposite to that of her husband. She was usually cheerful, was very rarely downcast, and possessed an ever-sunny disposition. Mary indulged in free and frequent expression of her emotional feelings and was never observed to be sorrowful until after the sudden death of Joseph. And she had hardly recovered from this shock when she had thrust upon her the anxieties and questionings aroused by the extraordinary career of her eldest son, which was so rapidly unfolding before her astonished gaze. But throughout all this unusual experience Mary was composed, courageous, and fairly wise in her relationship with her strange and little-understood first-born son and his surviving brothers and sisters. 122:5.2 (1348.2) 瑪利亞的性情則和她的丈夫的完全相反。她通常是愉快的,很少沮喪,擁有一種始終樂觀的性情。瑪利亞盡情於自由且頻繁的表達她情感,直到約瑟夫突然死亡前,從未有人看到她是悲傷的。她還未從這種震驚中恢復過來時,她就因被她大兒子的非凡生涯而引起的焦慮和質疑壓得喘不過氣,那非凡生涯在她驚訝的目光下迅速展開。但在這一整個不尋常的經歷中,瑪利亞在與她奇特又難以理解的長子和他倖存的兄弟姐妹間的關係上是鎮靜、勇敢和相當明智的。 122:5.3 (1348.3) Jesus derived much of his unusual gentleness and marvelous sympathetic understanding of human nature from his father; he inherited his gift as a great teacher and his tremendous capacity for righteous indignation from his mother. In emotional reactions to his adult-life environment, Jesus was at one time like his father, meditative and worshipful, sometimes characterized by apparent sadness; but more often he drove forward in the manner of his mother’s optimistic and determined disposition. All in all, Mary’s temperament tended to dominate the career of the divine Son as he grew up and swung into the momentous strides of his adult life. In some particulars Jesus was a blending of his parents’ traits; in other respects he exhibited the traits of one in contrast with those of the other. 122:5.3 (1348.3) 耶穌非比尋常的溫順和不可思議的對於人類本性之同情理解來自於他的父親;他則從他的母親那裡繼承了他作為一名偉大導師的天賦以及其巨大的義憤填膺能力。在對他成年生活環境的情緒反應方面,耶穌一度像他父親,冥想且虔誠,有時以明顯的悲傷為特點;但更多時候他以他母親樂觀堅定的性格向前邁進。總的說來,在他長大並邁向他成年生活的重大進展時,瑪利亞的性格往往主導這個神性聖子的生涯。在某些細節上,耶穌是他父母特質的一種混合;在其它方面,他展現出了與另一方特質形成對比的這一方特質。 122:5.4 (1348.4) From Joseph Jesus secured his strict training in the usages of the Jewish ceremonials and his unusual acquaintance with the Hebrew scriptures; from Mary he derived a broader viewpoint of religious life and a more liberal concept of personal spiritual freedom. 122:5.4 (1348.4) 從約瑟夫身上,耶穌獲得了他在猶太儀式習俗的嚴格培訓,以及他對希伯來經文的非比尋常的了解;從瑪利亞身上,他得到了對宗教生活的一種更廣闊的視野,以及對個人靈性自由的一種更為開放的概念。 122:5.5 (1349.1) The families of both Joseph and Mary were well educated for their time. Joseph and Mary were educated far above the average for their day and station in life. He was a thinker; she was a planner, expert in adaptation and practical in immediate execution. Joseph was a black-eyed brunet; Mary, a brown-eyed well-nigh blond type. 122:5.5 (1349.1) 約瑟夫和瑪利亞的家族在他們時代都是受過良好教育的。約瑟夫和瑪利亞受的教育遠高於他們時代和生活中地位的平均水平。他是一個思考者;她是一個規劃者,善於適應並慣於立即執行。約瑟夫是黑眼睛深褐色頭髮;瑪利亞則是褐色眼睛幾近金髮類型。 122:5.6 (1349.2) Had Joseph lived, he undoubtedly would have become a firm believer in the divine mission of his eldest son. Mary alternated between believing and doubting, being greatly influenced by the position taken by her other children and by her friends and relatives, but always was she steadied in her final attitude by the memory of Gabriel’s appearance to her immediately after the child was conceived. 122:5.6 (1349.2) 假如約瑟夫還活著的話,他無疑將會成為他長子神聖使命的堅定信徒。瑪利亞在相信和懷疑之間搖擺,受到她其他孩子和她朋友及親戚所持立場的極大影響,但她總是藉由在她懷孕後加百列立即向她顯現的記憶,得以在最終的態度上穩定下來。 122:5.7 (1349.3) Mary was an expert weaver and more than averagely skilled in most of the household arts of that day; she was a good housekeeper and a superior homemaker. Both Joseph and Mary were good teachers, and they saw to it that their children were well versed in the learning of that day. 122:5.7 (1349.3) 瑪利亞是個熟練的織布工,對那個時代的大多家事技藝也超過一般人的技能;她是一位好的管家和優秀的家庭主婦。約瑟夫和瑪利亞都是好的老師,他們確保他們的孩子精通那個時代的學識。 122:5.8 (1349.4) When Joseph was a young man, he was employed by Mary’s father in the work of building an addition to his house, and it was when Mary brought Joseph a cup of water, during a noontime meal, that the courtship of the pair who were destined to become the parents of Jesus really began. 122:5.8 (1349.4) 當約瑟夫是一個年輕人時,瑪利亞的父親雇用約瑟夫來擴建他的房子,正是當瑪利亞在午飯期間遞給約瑟夫一杯水時,這對註定要成為耶穌父母的伴侶其戀愛期真正開始了。 122:5.9 (1349.5) Joseph and Mary were married, in accordance with Jewish custom, at Mary’s home in the environs of Nazareth when Joseph was twenty-one years old. This marriage concluded a normal courtship of almost two years’ duration. Shortly thereafter they moved into their new home in Nazareth, which had been built by Joseph with the assistance of two of his brothers. The house was located near the foot of the near-by elevated land which so charmingly overlooked the surrounding countryside. In this home, especially prepared, these young and expectant parents had thought to welcome the child of promise, little realizing that this momentous event of a universe was to transpire while they would be absent from home in Bethlehem of Judea. 122:5.9 (1349.5) 當約瑟夫二十一歲時,約瑟夫和瑪利亞在拿撒勒近郊瑪利亞的家中依照猶太人習俗結婚了。這場婚禮結束了近兩年的戀愛期。在那之後不久,他們搬進了他們在拿撒勒的新家,這是約瑟夫在他兩個兄弟幫助下興建的。房子位於附近高地山麓下不遠處,這高地如此迷人地俯瞰著周圍鄉間。在這個特別準備的家中,這對年輕的準父母本要歡迎這個應許之子,卻沒有意識到這一宇宙性重大事件將會在他們離家時,在猶太的伯利恆發生。 122:5.10 (1349.6) The larger part of Joseph’s family became believers in the teachings of Jesus, but very few of Mary’s people ever believed in him until after he departed from this world. Joseph leaned more toward the spiritual concept of the expected Messiah, but Mary and her family, especially her father, held to the idea of the Messiah as a temporal deliverer and political ruler. Mary’s ancestors had been prominently identified with the Maccabean activities of the then but recent times. 122:5.10 (1349.6) 大部分約瑟夫家族都成為耶穌教導的信徒,但在耶穌離開這個世界之前,瑪利亞的家人卻很少有人相信他。約瑟夫更為傾向於期待中的彌賽亞之靈性概念,但瑪利亞和她的家族,尤其她的父親,堅持將彌賽亞視為一個世俗的拯救者和政治的統治者。 瑪利亞的祖先對那時近期的馬加比活動有著密切的關聯。 122:5.11 (1349.7) Joseph held vigorously to the Eastern, or Babylonian, views of the Jewish religion; Mary leaned strongly toward the more liberal and broader Western, or Hellenistic, interpretation of the law and the prophets. 122:5.11 (1349.7) 約瑟夫極力堅持猶太人宗教的東方巴比倫觀點;瑪利亞則強烈傾向於對律法和先知更為自由和廣泛的西方希臘闡釋。 6. The Home at Nazareth 6. 拿撒勒的家 122:6.1 (1349.8) The home of Jesus was not far from the high hill in the northerly part of Nazareth, some distance from the village spring, which was in the eastern section of the town. Jesus’ family dwelt in the outskirts of the city, and this made it all the easier for him subsequently to enjoy frequent strolls in the country and to make trips up to the top of this near-by highland, the highest of all the hills of southern Galilee save the Mount Tabor range to the east and the hill of Nain, which was about the same height. Their home was located a little to the south and east of the southern promontory of this hill and about midway between the base of this elevation and the road leading out of Nazareth toward Cana. Aside from climbing the hill, Jesus’ favorite stroll was to follow a narrow trail winding about the base of the hill in a northeasterly direction to a point where it joined the road to Sepphoris. 122:6.1 (1349.8) 耶穌的家離拿撒勒北部高山不遠,離城東邊區域的村莊水源有些距離。耶穌的家庭居住在城市郊區,這使他隨後更容易享受在鄉間經常散步,並前往這一附近高地的山頂,這山頂是除了東面的塔沃爾山脈和大約同樣高度的拿因山丘之外,南加利利所有山丘中最高的。他們家位於這山丘南部岬角的偏東南一點,大約位於這一高地底部和從拿撒勒通向迦拿道路的中間。除了爬山外,耶穌最喜愛的漫步是沿著一條在山底蜿蜒的狹窄小徑,它朝向東北方直到與通往塞佛瑞斯道路相接之處。 122:6.2 (1350.1) The home of Joseph and Mary was a one-room stone structure with a flat roof and an adjoining building for housing the animals. The furniture consisted of a low stone table, earthenware and stone dishes and pots, a loom, a lampstand, several small stools, and mats for sleeping on the stone floor. In the back yard, near the animal annex, was the shelter which covered the oven and the mill for grinding grain. It required two persons to operate this type of mill, one to grind and another to feed the grain. As a small boy Jesus often fed grain to this mill while his mother turned the grinder. 122:6.2 (1350.1) 約瑟夫和瑪利亞的家是一個平屋頂的單房石造建築物和一個用於收容動物的相鄰建築。傢俱包括一個低矮石桌,陶器和石製餐具和盆罐,一架織布機,一個燈檯,幾個小凳子,以及用於在石地板上睡覺的墊子。在後院靠近動物附屬建築的地方,是一個用來遮蓋爐灶和研磨穀物的磨臼的棚子。這種類型的磨臼需要兩個人來操作,一個人磨,另外一個人供給穀物。作為一個小孩,耶穌經常把穀物投入到這磨臼中,而他的母親則轉動磨床。 122:6.3 (1350.2) In later years, as the family grew in size, they would all squat about the enlarged stone table to enjoy their meals, helping themselves from a common dish, or pot, of food. During the winter, at the evening meal the table would be lighted by a small, flat clay lamp, which was filled with olive oil. After the birth of Martha, Joseph built an addition to this house, a large room, which was used as a carpenter shop during the day and as a sleeping room at night. 122:6.3 (1350.2) 在後來年月中,隨著家庭規模增長,他們都蹲在加大的石桌旁享受他們的飯菜,自己從共同的餐具盆罐中拿取食物。 在冬天期間,晚餐時,桌上會點亮一盞扁平的小陶燈,燈中裝滿了橄欖油。在馬大(Martha)出生後,約瑟夫為這個家增建了一個大房間,它在白天被用作木匠鋪,晚上則作為一個臥室。 7. The Trip to Bethlehem 7. 伯利恆之行 122:7.1 (1350.3) In the month of March, 8 b.c. (the month Joseph and Mary were married), Caesar Augustus decreed that all inhabitants of the Roman Empire should be numbered, that a census should be made which could be used for effecting better taxation. The Jews had always been greatly prejudiced against any attempt to “number the people,” and this, in connection with the serious domestic difficulties of Herod, King of Judea, had conspired to cause the postponement of the taking of this census in the Jewish kingdom for one year. Throughout all the Roman Empire this census was registered in the year 8 b.c., except in the Palestinian kingdom of Herod, where it was taken in 7 b.c., one year later. 122:7.1 (1350.3) 西元前8年3月(約瑟夫和瑪利亞結婚的那個月),凱撒·奧古斯都下令羅馬帝國的所有居民應被清點,應進行人口普查以便用來達到更好的稅收。猶太人一直對任何試圖「清點人口」都存有極大偏見,這一點再加上猶太國王希律的嚴重國內困難,共同導致延遲一年才在猶太王國進行這一人口普查。整個羅馬帝國的這人口普查是在西元前8年進行登記,但希律的巴勒斯坦王國除外,在那裡的人口普查是在一年後的西元前7年進行。 122:7.2 (1350.4) It was not necessary that Mary should go to Bethlehem for enrollment—Joseph was authorized to register for his family—but Mary, being an adventurous and aggressive person, insisted on accompanying him. She feared being left alone lest the child be born while Joseph was away, and again, Bethlehem being not far from the City of Judah, Mary foresaw a possible pleasurable visit with her kinswoman Elizabeth. 122:7.2 (1350.4) 瑪利亞並不需要前往伯利恆註冊——約瑟夫有權代他家人登記——但瑪利亞是一個愛冒險和積極行動的人,堅持陪他一起。她害怕被獨自留下,唯恐孩子在約瑟夫離開時出生,再者,伯利恆離猶大城不遠,瑪利亞預見可能會與她親戚伊莉莎白有一次愉快的探訪。 122:7.3 (1350.5) Joseph virtually forbade Mary to accompany him, but it was of no avail; when the food was packed for the trip of three or four days, she prepared double rations and made ready for the journey. But before they actually set forth, Joseph was reconciled to Mary’s going along, and they cheerfully departed from Nazareth at the break of day. 122:7.3 (1350.5) 約瑟夫幾乎禁止瑪利亞隨行,但是無濟於事;當收拾為期三四天旅行的食物時,瑪利亞準備了雙份口糧,並為旅行做好了準備。不過在他們實際出發之前,約瑟夫接受了瑪利亞的陪同,他們在破曉時分興高采烈地從拿撒勒出發。 122:7.4 (1350.6) Joseph and Mary were poor, and since they had only one beast of burden, Mary, being large with child, rode on the animal with the provisions while Joseph walked, leading the beast. The building and furnishing of a home had been a great drain on Joseph since he had also to contribute to the support of his parents, as his father had been recently disabled. And so this Jewish couple went forth from their humble home early on the morning of August 18, 7 b.c., on their journey to Bethlehem. 122:7.4 (1350.6) 約瑟夫和瑪利亞很貧窮,由於他們只有一頭役畜,瑪利亞在懷孕後期,帶著糧食騎在牲畜上,而約瑟夫則牽著牲畜步行。建造和裝飾房子對約瑟夫是一個巨大的負擔,因為他還要提供對他父母的贍養,因為他父親最近殘疾了。於是這對猶太夫婦在西元前7年8月18日清早從他們簡陋的家中出發,踏上前往伯利恆的旅程。 122:7.5 (1351.1) Their first day of travel carried them around the foothills of Mount Gilboa, where they camped for the night by the river Jordan and engaged in many speculations as to what sort of a son would be born to them, Joseph adhering to the concept of a spiritual teacher and Mary holding to the idea of a Jewish Messiah, a deliverer of the Hebrew nation. 122:7.5 (1351.1) 他們第一天的旅行繞過了基利波山的山麓,在那裡他們在約旦河邊露營過夜,並就他們將會生下怎樣的孩子進行了許多臆測,約瑟夫堅持一位靈性導師的概念,瑪利亞則支持猶太彌賽亞的觀念,即一位希伯來民族的拯救者。 122:7.6 (1351.2) Bright and early the morning of August 19, Joseph and Mary were again on their way. They partook of their noontide meal at the foot of Mount Sartaba, overlooking the Jordan valley, and journeyed on, making Jericho for the night, where they stopped at an inn on the highway in the outskirts of the city. Following the evening meal and after much discussion concerning the oppressiveness of Roman rule, Herod, the census enrollment, and the comparative influence of Jerusalem and Alexandria as centers of Jewish learning and culture, the Nazareth travelers retired for the night’s rest. Early in the morning of August 20 they resumed their journey, reaching Jerusalem before noon, visiting the temple, and going on to their destination, arriving at Bethlehem in midafternoon. 122:7.6 (1351.2) 8月19日清早,約瑟夫和瑪利亞再次上路。他們在薩塔巴山腳下享用了他們的午餐,俯瞰約旦河谷,接著繼續旅程,抵達耶利哥過夜,他們在城市郊區公路上的一家旅店停留。晚餐後,在討論了許多關於羅馬統治的壓迫、希律王、人口普查登記以及耶路撒冷和亞歷山卓作為猶太學習和教化中心的相對影響之後,這對拿撒勒的旅行者休息就寢。8月20日一大早,他們繼續他們的旅程,在中午前到達了耶路撒冷,參觀了聖殿,然後繼續前往他們的目的地,在下午3點左右抵達伯利恆。 122:7.7 (1351.3) The inn was overcrowded, and Joseph accordingly sought lodgings with distant relatives, but every room in Bethlehem was filled to overflowing. On returning to the courtyard of the inn, he was informed that the caravan stables, hewn out of the side of the rock and situated just below the inn, had been cleared of animals and cleaned up for the reception of lodgers. Leaving the donkey in the courtyard, Joseph shouldered their bags of clothing and provisions and with Mary descended the stone steps to their lodgings below. They found themselves located in what had been a grain storage room to the front of the stalls and mangers. Tent curtains had been hung, and they counted themselves fortunate to have such comfortable quarters. 122:7.7 (1351.3) 旅店人滿為患,約瑟夫於是尋求寄宿遠親,但伯利恆的每個房間都擠滿了人。在回到旅店院子時,他被告知位於旅店下方從岩石邊鑿出的商隊馬廄已清除了動物,並打掃好準備接待寄住客。約瑟夫把驢子留在院子,扛起衣服和食物包裹,與瑪利亞一同走下石階來到他們下方的住處。他們發現自己身處一個曾經是穀物儲存間,就在牲畜隔欄和馬槽前面。帳簾已掛好,他們認為自己很幸運擁有這樣舒適的住處。 122:7.8 (1351.4) Joseph had thought to go out at once and enroll, but Mary was weary; she was considerably distressed and besought him to remain by her side, which he did. 122:7.8 (1351.4) 約瑟夫原想立刻出去登記,但瑪利亞很疲倦;她感到相當不適,並懇求他留在她身旁,他也這樣做了。 8. The Birth of Jesus 8. 耶穌的誕生 122:8.1 (1351.5) All that night Mary was restless so that neither of them slept much. By the break of day the pangs of childbirth were well in evidence, and at noon, August 21, 7 b.c., with the help and kind ministrations of women fellow travelers, Mary was delivered of a male child. Jesus of Nazareth was born into the world, was wrapped in the clothes which Mary had brought along for such a possible contingency, and laid in a near-by manger. 122:8.1 (1351.5) 那一整夜瑪利亞都焦躁不安,以致他們兩人都沒睡好。黎明時分,分娩的陣痛已經非常明顯,在西元前7年8月21日中午,在女性同行旅客的幫助和親切照顧下,瑪利亞生了一個男孩。拿撒勒的耶穌降生到世上,被包裹在瑪利亞為這樣一種可能情況所帶來的衣服裡,並被放到附近的馬槽中。 122:8.2 (1351.6) In just the same manner as all babies before that day and since have come into the world, the promised child was born; and on the eighth day, according to the Jewish practice, he was circumcised and formally named Joshua (Jesus). 122:8.2 (1351.6) 就像那天之前及之後所有嬰兒來到這個世界的方式一樣,應許之子誕生了;在第八日,依照猶太人慣例,他受了割禮並被正式取名為約書亞(耶穌)。 122:8.3 (1351.7) The next day after the birth of Jesus, Joseph made his enrollment. Meeting a man they had talked with two nights previously at Jericho, Joseph was taken by him to a well-to-do friend who had a room at the inn, and who said he would gladly exchange quarters with the Nazareth couple. That afternoon they moved up to the inn, where they lived for almost three weeks until they found lodgings in the home of a distant relative of Joseph. 122:8.3 (1351.7) 在耶穌誕生後隔天,約瑟夫進行了他的登記。約瑟夫遇到一個前兩晚他們在耶利哥交談過的一名男子,他帶約瑟夫去見一位在旅店有個房間的富有朋友,這位富有朋友說到他很高興與這對拿撒勒夫婦交換住處。那天下午,他們搬到上面的旅店,在那裡住了幾近三個星期,直到他們在約瑟夫的一個遠親家中找到住處。 122:8.4 (1351.8) The second day after the birth of Jesus, Mary sent word to Elizabeth that her child had come and received word in return inviting Joseph up to Jerusalem to talk over all their affairs with Zacharias. The following week Joseph went to Jerusalem to confer with Zacharias. Both Zacharias and Elizabeth had become possessed with the sincere conviction that Jesus was indeed to become the Jewish deliverer, the Messiah, and that their son John was to be his chief of aides, his right-hand man of destiny. And since Mary held these same ideas, it was not difficult to prevail upon Joseph to remain in Bethlehem, the City of David, so that Jesus might grow up to become the successor of David on the throne of all Israel. Accordingly, they remained in Bethlehem more than a year, Joseph meantime working some at his carpenter’s trade. 122:8.4 (1351.8) 耶穌誕生後第二天,瑪利亞傳話給伊莉莎白,她的孩子已經到來,並收到回復邀請約瑟夫前往耶路撒冷與撒迦利亞詳談所有他們的事務。接下來的一周約瑟夫前往耶路撒冷與撒迦利亞商討。撒迦利亞和伊莉莎白都真誠地相信耶穌的確會成為猶太人的拯救者——彌賽亞,而他們的兒子約翰會成為他的首席助手,他天命的得力助手。由於瑪利亞持有這些同樣的觀念,說服約瑟夫留在大衛之城伯利恆也就不困難了,這樣耶穌可以長大成為大衛的繼承者,坐在全以色列的寶座上。因此,他們待在伯利恆一年多,約瑟夫同時做一些他的木匠工作。 122:8.5 (1352.1) At the noontide birth of Jesus the seraphim of Urantia, assembled under their directors, did sing anthems of glory over the Bethlehem manger, but these utterances of praise were not heard by human ears. No shepherds nor any other mortal creatures came to pay homage to the babe of Bethlehem until the day of the arrival of certain priests from Ur, who were sent down from Jerusalem by Zacharias. 122:8.5 (1352.1) 在耶穌誕生的正午時分,玉苒廈的熾天使們在他們主管者召集下,的確在伯利恆馬槽上唱過榮耀的讚美詩,但這些讚美的話語並未被人類的耳朵聽到。沒有牧羊人或任何其他凡人受造物前來向伯利恆的嬰兒致敬,直到撒迦利亞從耶路撒冷派來的來自烏爾的某些祭司抵達的那一天。 122:8.6 (1352.2) These priests from Mesopotamia had been told sometime before by a strange religious teacher of their country that he had had a dream in which he was informed that “the light of life” was about to appear on earth as a babe and among the Jews. And thither went these three teachers looking for this “light of life.” After many weeks of futile search in Jerusalem, they were about to return to Ur when Zacharias met them and disclosed his belief that Jesus was the object of their quest and sent them on to Bethlehem, where they found the babe and left their gifts with Mary, his earth mother. The babe was almost three weeks old at the time of their visit. 122:8.6 (1352.2) 這些來自美索不達米亞的祭司,之前某個時候曾被他們國家一個奇特的宗教導師告知,說他做了一個夢,夢中得知「生命之光」即將作為一個嬰兒出現在世上,並出現在猶太人之間。這三位導師就去那尋找這「生命之光」。在耶路撒冷徒勞搜尋了幾個星期之後,當他們即將返回烏爾時,撒迦利亞遇到他們並透露了他相信耶穌就是他們要尋找的對象,並將他們送往伯利恆,在那裡,他們找到了嬰兒並將他們的禮物留給了他的世間母親瑪利亞。在他們探望時,嬰兒已經快三周大了。 122:8.7 (1352.3) These wise men saw no star to guide them to Bethlehem. The beautiful legend of the star of Bethlehem originated in this way: Jesus was born August 21 at noon, 7 b.c. On May 29, 7 b.c., there occurred an extraordinary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces. And it is a remarkable astronomic fact that similar conjunctions occurred on September 29 and December 5 of the same year. Upon the basis of these extraordinary but wholly natural events the well-meaning zealots of the succeeding generation constructed the appealing legend of the star of Bethlehem and the adoring Magi led thereby to the manger, where they beheld and worshiped the newborn babe. Oriental and near-Oriental minds delight in fairy stories, and they are continually spinning such beautiful myths about the lives of their religious leaders and political heroes. In the absence of printing, when most human knowledge was passed by word of mouth from one generation to another, it was very easy for myths to become traditions and for traditions eventually to become accepted as facts. 122:8.7 (1352.3) 這些智者並未看到任何星星引導他們來到伯利恆。 關於伯利恆之星的美好傳說是這樣產生的:耶穌生於西元前7年8月21日中午。在西元前7年5月29日,木星和土星在雙魚座中發生了一次非凡的合相。類似的合相發生在同年的9月29日和12月5日,而這一個令人驚奇的天文事實。在這些非凡然卻完全自然事件的基礎上,後繼世代的善意狂熱者構建了伯利恆之星以及敬慕的東方三博士(Magi)受其指引來到馬槽並在那裡他們見到並崇拜新生嬰兒之引人入聖的傳說。東方和近東(near-Oriental)的智者喜歡神話故事,他們不斷編織這類有關他們宗教領袖和政治英雄生活的優美神話。在沒有印刷的情況下,當大多人類知識是靠世世代代口口相傳時,神話很容易變成傳說,而傳說很容易最終被接受為事實。 9. The Presentation in the Temple 9. 聖殿中的獻禮 122:9.1 (1352.4) Moses had taught the Jews that every first-born son belonged to the Lord, and that, in lieu of his sacrifice as was the custom among the heathen nations, such a son might live provided his parents would redeem him by the payment of five shekels to any authorized priest. There was also a Mosaic ordinance which directed that a mother, after the passing of a certain period of time, should present herself (or have someone make the proper sacrifice for her) at the temple for purification. It was customary to perform both of these ceremonies at the same time. Accordingly, Joseph and Mary went up to the temple at Jerusalem in person to present Jesus to the priests and effect his redemption and also to make the proper sacrifice to insure Mary’s ceremonial purification from the alleged uncleanness of childbirth. 122:9.1 (1352.4) 摩西教導過猶太人,每個長子都屬於上主,而為了代替異族國家中用長子祭獻的習俗,只要他的父母向任何一個經授權的祭司支付五個舍克勒來贖回他,這樣的一個兒子便可以存活。還有一條摩西法令,指示一位母親在過一段時間後應該到聖殿凈化(或是讓某人為她做出適當的祭獻)。習慣上這兩種儀式會同時進行。因此,約瑟夫和瑪利亞親自前往耶路撒冷聖殿,將耶穌呈給祭司,實現了他的贖回,同時也做出適當祭獻,以確保瑪利亞從所謂分娩的不潔中得到儀式性凈化。 122:9.2 (1353.1) There lingered constantly about the courts of the temple two remarkable characters, Simeon a singer and Anna a poetess. Simeon was a Judean, but Anna was a Galilean. This couple were frequently in each other’s company, and both were intimates of the priest Zacharias, who had confided the secret of John and Jesus to them. Both Simeon and Anna longed for the coming of the Messiah, and their confidence in Zacharias led them to believe that Jesus was the expected deliverer of the Jewish people. 122:9.2 (1353.1) 有兩個引人注目的人物經常在聖殿庭院周圍徘徊,歌者西面和女詩人亞拿。西面是一個猶大人,亞拿則是一個加利利人。這兩個人經常在一起,兩者都是祭司撒迦利亞的密友,撒迦利亞向他們透露了約翰和耶穌的秘密。西面和亞拿都渴望彌賽亞的到來,他們對撒迦利亞的信任使他們相信耶穌就是猶太人期盼的拯救者。 122:9.3 (1353.2) Zacharias knew the day Joseph and Mary were expected to appear at the temple with Jesus, and he had prearranged with Simeon and Anna to indicate, by the salute of his upraised hand, which one in the procession of first-born children was Jesus. 122:9.3 (1353.2) 撒迦利亞知道約瑟夫和瑪利亞將帶著耶穌出現在聖殿的日子,他已經與西面和亞拿預先安排好,透過他的舉手示意指出在長子隊伍中哪一個是耶穌。 122:9.4 (1353.3) For this occasion Anna had written a poem which Simeon proceeded to sing, much to the astonishment of Joseph, Mary, and all who were assembled in the temple courts. And this was their hymn of the redemption of the first-born son: 122:9.4 (1353.3) 亞拿已為這個場合寫了一首詩,西面繼而唱了起來,這令約瑟夫、瑪利亞及所有聚集在聖殿庭院的人都感到極為驚訝。而以下就是他們對於長子贖回的讚美詩: 122:9.5 (1353.4) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, 122:9.5 (1353.4) 上主––以色列的神是應當稱頌的, 122:9.6 (1353.5) For he has visited us and wrought redemption for his people; 122:9.6 (1353.5) 因他眷顧我們並為他的子民帶來了救贖; 122:9.7 (1353.6) He has raised up a horn of salvation for all of us 122:9.7 (1353.6) 他已為我們興起了拯救的角 122:9.8 (1353.7) In the house of his servant David. 122:9.8 (1353.7) 在他的僕人大衛家中。 122:9.9 (1353.8) Even as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets — 122:9.9 (1353.8) 正如他藉著他的聖先知們的口所說的—— 122:9.10 (1353.9) Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 122:9.10 (1353.9) 拯救我們脫離我們的仇敵和一切恨我們之人的手; 122:9.11 (1353.10) To show mercy to our fathers, and remember his holy covenant — 122:9.11 (1353.10) 向我們列祖施憐悯,記得他的聖約—— 122:9.12 (1353.11) The oath which he swore to Abraham our father, 122:9.12 (1353.11) 他對我們祖先亞伯拉罕所起的誓, 122:9.13 (1353.12) To grant us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, 122:9.13 (1353.12) 要把我們從我們仇敵手中拯救出來, 122:9.14 (1353.13) Should serve him without fear, 122:9.14 (1353.13) 就可以無所畏懼地事奉他, 122:9.15 (1353.14) In holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 122:9.15 (1353.14) 終身在他面前,以聖潔與公義。 122:9.16 (1353.15) Yes, and you, child of promise, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; 122:9.16 (1353.15) 是的,你,應許之子,應被稱為極高者的先知; 122:9.17 (1353.16) For you shall go before the face of the Lord to establish his kingdom; 122:9.17 (1353.16) 因為你要走在上主的面前去建立他的王國; 122:9.18 (1353.17) To give knowledge of salvation to his people 122:9.18 (1353.17) 把救恩的知識傳給他的子民, 122:9.19 (1353.18) In the remission of their sins. 122:9.19 (1353.18) 藉由赦免他們的罪。 122:9.20 (1353.19) Rejoice in the tender mercy of our God because the dayspring from on high has now visited us 122:9.20 (1353.19) 在神的溫柔憐憫中欣喜吧,因為從高天來的黎明以降臨到我們 122:9.21 (1353.20) To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; 122:9.21 (1353.20) 要照亮那些位於在黑暗中和死亡陰影下的人; 122:9.22 (1353.21) To guide our feet into ways of peace. 122:9.22 (1353.21) 引導我們雙腳走上平安的路。 122:9.23 (1353.22) And now let your servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to your word, 122:9.23 (1353.22) 上主啊,照你的話,讓你的僕人安然去吧, 122:9.24 (1353.23) For my eyes have seen your salvation, 122:9.24 (1353.23) 因為我的眼睛已經看見你的救恩, 122:9.25 (1353.24) Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; 122:9.25 (1353.24) 就是你在萬民面前所預備的; 122:9.26 (1353.25) A light for even the unveiling of the gentiles 122:9.26 (1353.25) 乃至為外邦人揭示的光, 122:9.27 (1353.26) And the glory of your people Israel. 122:9.27 (1353.26) 以及你的子民以色列的榮耀。 122:9.28 (1353.27) On the way back to Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary were silent—confused and overawed. Mary was much disturbed by the farewell salutation of Anna, the aged poetess, and Joseph was not in harmony with this premature effort to make Jesus out to be the expected Messiah of the Jewish people. 122:9.28 (1353.27) 在返回伯利恆的路上,約瑟夫和瑪利亞沉默不語——感到困惑和敬畏。瑪利亞對年長女詩人亞拿的告別致意感到不安,約瑟夫也不同意這種過早將耶穌描繪成猶太人民期盼的彌賽亞的努力。 10. Herod Acts 10. 希律的行動 122:10.1 (1353.28) But the watchers for Herod were not inactive. When they reported to him the visit of the priests of Ur to Bethlehem, Herod summoned these Chaldeans to appear before him. He inquired diligently of these wise men about the new “king of the Jews,” but they gave him little satisfaction, explaining that the babe had been born of a woman who had come down to Bethlehem with her husband for the census enrollment. Herod, not being satisfied with this answer, sent them forth with a purse and directed that they should find the child so that he too might come and worship him, since they had declared that his kingdom was to be spiritual, not temporal. But when the wise men did not return, Herod grew suspicious. As he turned these things over in his mind, his informers returned and made full report of the recent occurrences in the temple, bringing him a copy of parts of the Simeon song which had been sung at the redemption ceremonies of Jesus. But they had failed to follow Joseph and Mary, and Herod was very angry with them when they could not tell him whither the pair had taken the babe. He then dispatched searchers to locate Joseph and Mary. Knowing Herod pursued the Nazareth family, Zacharias and Elizabeth remained away from Bethlehem. The boy baby was secreted with Joseph’s relatives. 122:10.1 (1353.28) 然而希律的監看者們並沒有閒著。當他們向他報告烏爾的祭司拜訪伯利恆時,希律傳喚這些迦勒底人來到他面前。他費盡心思地訊問這些智者有關「猶太人的國王」,但對於他們說這個嬰兒是由一個和她丈夫前來伯利恆進行人口普查登記的婦女所生的解釋,他並不滿意。因希律對這個回答不滿意,他給他們酬金並指示他們應找到孩子,這樣他也可以前來敬拜他,因為他們已宣稱他的王國將是屬靈的,而非世俗的。但當智者並未返回時,希律變得懷疑。當他在心中反覆思量這些事時,他的密探們返回並對聖殿的最近發生的事情做了詳細報告,帶給他西面在耶穌的贖回儀式上所唱讚歌的部分抄本。但他們未能跟蹤約瑟夫和瑪利亞,希律對他們無法告訴他這對夫婦帶嬰兒前往哪裡,感到非常憤怒。他隨後派遣搜查人員去尋找約瑟夫和瑪利亞。因知道希律在追捕這一拿撒勒家庭,撒迦利亞和伊莉莎白繼續遠離伯利恆。這男嬰被隱藏在約瑟夫的親戚處所。 122:10.2 (1354.1) Joseph was afraid to seek work, and their small savings were rapidly disappearing. Even at the time of the purification ceremonies at the temple, Joseph deemed himself sufficiently poor to warrant his offering for Mary two young pigeons as Moses had directed for the purification of mothers among the poor. 122:10.2 (1354.1) 約瑟夫不敢找工作,他們微薄的積蓄迅速耗盡。甚至在聖殿凈化儀式時,約瑟夫認為他自己窮到足以證明他為瑪利亞獻上兩隻雛鴿的正當性,正如同摩西為貧窮母親之凈化所指示的。 122:10.3 (1354.2)  When, after more than a year of searching, Herod’s spies had not located Jesus, and because of the suspicion that the babe was still concealed in Bethlehem, he prepared an order directing that a systematic search be made of every house in Bethlehem, and that all boy babies under two years of age should be killed. In this manner Herod hoped to make sure that this child who was to become “king of the Jews” would be destroyed. And thus perished in one day sixteen boy babies in Bethlehem of Judea. But intrigue and murder, even in his own immediate family, were common occurrences at the court of Herod. 122:10.3 (1354.2) 當希律的密探在一年多的搜查後還未能找到耶穌時,加上由於懷疑嬰兒仍被藏匿在伯利恆,他準備了一個命令,指示對伯利恆的每一家庭進行系統性搜查,並殺死所有兩歲以下的男嬰。 希律希望以這種方式確保這個將要成為「猶太人的國王」的嬰兒被消滅。就這樣,猶大的伯利恆在一天內有十六名男嬰喪生。不過,陰謀和謀殺在希律的宮廷中是司空見慣,即便是在他自己的直系家族中。 122:10.4 (1354.3) The massacre of these infants took place about the middle of October, 6 B.C., when Jesus was a little over one year of age. But there were believers in the coming Messiah even among Herod’s court attachés, and one of these, learning of the order to slaughter the Bethlehem boy babies, communicated with Zacharias, who in turn dispatched a messenger to Joseph; and the night before the massacre Joseph and Mary departed from Bethlehem with the babe for Alexandria in Egypt. In order to avoid attracting attention, they journeyed alone to Egypt with Jesus. They went to Alexandria on funds provided by Zacharias, and there Joseph worked at his trade while Mary and Jesus lodged with well-to-do relatives of Joseph’s family. They sojourned in Alexandria two full years, not returning to Bethlehem until after the death of Herod. 122:10.4 (1354.3) 這些嬰兒的大屠殺大約發生在西元前6年10月中旬,當時耶穌一歲多一點。但即便在希律的宮廷侍從中,也有人相信即將到來的彌賽亞,其中一人得知了屠殺伯利恆男嬰的命令便與撒迦利亞聯絡,撒迦利亞進而派遣信使去見約瑟夫;在大屠殺的前一晚,約瑟夫和瑪利亞帶著嬰兒離開伯利恆,前往埃及亞歷山卓。 為了避免引起注意,他們獨自帶著耶穌前往埃及。他們靠撒迦利亞所提供的資金前往亞歷山卓,約瑟夫在那裡做他的工作,而瑪利亞和耶穌則與約瑟夫家族的富有親戚們住在一起。他們在亞歷山卓旅居了整整兩年,直到希律死後才返回伯利恆。

2. elo 2024 - 38 min
jakson 第121篇 邁克爾贈與的時代 kansikuva

第121篇 邁克爾贈與的時代

Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/聽聽《玉苒廈之書》––-第四部分/id1758596036] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/27Q4DX940tDz9Xpk9zdBZN?si=35cbb00eb95a4a95] Youtube [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_YC5HbVczI-JnOl5e6d5sg6givfXh7QA&si=u8iPj8b7WlXM3VGG] Paper 121 The Times of Michael’s Bestowal 第121篇 邁克爾贈與的時代 121:0.1 (1332.1) ACTING under the supervision of a commission of twelve members of the United Brotherhood of Urantia Midwayers, conjointly sponsored by the presiding head of our order and the Melchizedek of record, I am the secondary midwayer of onetime attachment to the Apostle Andrew, and I am authorized to place on record the narrative of the life transactions of Jesus of Nazareth as they were observed by my order of earth creatures, and as they were subsequently partially recorded by the human subject of my temporal guardianship. Knowing how his Master so scrupulously avoided leaving written records behind him, Andrew steadfastly refused to multiply copies of his written narrative. A similar attitude on the part of the other apostles of Jesus greatly delayed the writing of the Gospels. 121:0.1 (1332.1)  在一個由十二名玉苒廈中道者聯合兄弟會成員所組成的委員會之監管下,並由我們類別的主席和紀錄中的默基瑟德的共同支持,我是曾經依附於使徒安德魯的第二類中道者,而我被授權將拿撒勒耶穌的生平事蹟記錄下來,因為我們這一類別的地球受造物目睹了這些事蹟,並且隨後由我所暫時監護的人類主體將它們部分地記錄下來。 知道他的師傅(Master)如何小心翼翼地避免在他身後留下書面記錄,安德魯堅決拒絕增加他書面敘述的抄本。 耶穌的其他使徒也持有類似的態度,這大大地延遲了福音書的撰寫。 1. The Occident of the First Century After Christ 1. 基督之後第一世紀的西方 121:1.1 (1332.2) Jesus did not come to this world during an age of spiritual decadence; at the time of his birth Urantia was experiencing such a revival of spiritual thinking and religious living as it had not known in all its previous post-Adamic history nor has experienced in any era since. When Michael incarnated on Urantia, the world presented the most favorable condition for the Creator Son’s bestowal that had ever previously prevailed or has since obtained. In the centuries just prior to these times Greek culture and the Greek language had spread over Occident and near Orient, and the Jews, being a Levantine race, in nature part Occidental and part Oriental, were eminently fitted to utilize such cultural and linguistic settings for the effective spread of a new religion to both East and West. These most favorable circumstances were further enhanced by the tolerant political rule of the Mediterranean world by the Romans. 121:1.1 (1332.2) 耶穌並不是在靈性衰微的時代來到這個世界的;在他出生的時候,玉苒廈正在經歷靈性思想和宗教生活的復興,這是在所有它之前的後亞當歷史中未曾有過的,也是從那之後的任何時代所沒有經歷的。當邁克爾化身在玉苒廈上時,世界為造物聖子的贈與提供了前所未有且之後也未再出現的最有利條件。在這些時代之前的幾個世紀裡,希臘文化和希臘語言已經傳播到西方和接近東方附近,猶太人作為黎凡特人種,在性質上部分屬於西方人,部分屬於東方人,非常適合利用這樣的文化和語言背景將新宗教有效地傳播到東方和西方。這些最有利的環境透過羅馬人對地中海世界的寬容政治統治而獲得進一步的加強。 121:1.2 (1332.3) This entire combination of world influences is well illustrated by the activities of Paul, who, being in religious culture a Hebrew of the Hebrews, proclaimed the gospel of a Jewish Messiah in the Greek tongue, while he himself was a Roman citizen. 121:1.2 (1332.3) 這種世界影響的整體結合,可從保羅的活動中清楚闡明,他在宗教文化上是道道地地的希伯來人,以希臘語宣揚猶太彌賽亞的福音,而他自己則是一位羅馬公民。 121:1.3 (1332.4) Nothing like the civilization of the times of Jesus has been seen in the Occident before or since those days. European civilization was unified and co-ordinated under an extraordinary threefold influence: 121:1.3 (1332.4) 在耶穌時代的前後,西方再也沒有見過與此時代相似的文明。歐洲文明在一種非凡的三重影響下得到了統一和協調: 121:1.4 (1332.5) 1. The Roman political and social systems. 121:1.4 (1332.5) 1. 羅馬的政治和社會制度。 121:1.5 (1332.6) 2. The Grecian language and culture—and philosophy to a certain extent. 121:1.5 (1332.6) 2. 希臘的語言和文化——以及在某種程度上的哲學。 121:1.6 (1332.7) 3. The rapidly spreading influence of Jewish religious and moral teachings. 121:1.6 (1332.7) 3. 猶太宗教和道德教義的迅速傳播影響。 121:1.7 (1332.8) When Jesus was born, the entire Mediterranean world was a unified empire. Good roads, for the first time in the world’s history, interconnected many major centers. The seas were cleared of pirates, and a great era of trade and travel was rapidly advancing. Europe did not again enjoy another such period of travel and trade until the nineteenth century after Christ. 121:1.7 (1332.8) 耶穌出生時,整個地中海世界是個統一的帝國。在世界歷史上,良好的道路首次將許多主要中心連接起來。海域掃除了海盜,一個偉大的貿易和旅行時代正在迅速推進。歐洲直到基督之後的十九世紀才再次享有另一個這樣的旅行和貿易時期。 121:1.8 (1333.1) Notwithstanding the internal peace and superficial prosperity of the Greco-Roman world, a majority of the inhabitants of the empire languished in squalor and poverty. The small upper class was rich; a miserable and impoverished lower class embraced the rank and file of humanity. There was no happy and prosperous middle class in those days; it had just begun to make its appearance in Roman society. 121:1.8 (1333.1) 儘管希臘羅馬世界內部和平、表面繁榮,但帝國的大多數居民仍受肮髒和貧窮之苦。少數的上層階級很富有;悲慘而貧窮的下層階級則涵蓋了普羅大眾。在那些日子裡,沒有幸福富裕的中產階級;它才剛剛開始在羅馬社會中出現。 121:1.9 (1333.2) The first struggles between the expanding Roman and Parthian states had been concluded in the then recent past, leaving Syria in the hands of the Romans. In the times of Jesus, Palestine and Syria were enjoying a period of prosperity, relative peace, and extensive commercial intercourse with the lands to both the East and the West. 121:1.9 (1333.2) 擴展中的羅馬和帕提亞國家之間的第一次對抗已經在不久前結束,敘利亞落入羅馬人的控制之下。在耶穌的時代,巴勒斯坦和敘利亞正享有一個繁榮、相對和平,並與東西方各地有著廣泛商業往來的時期。 2. The Jewish People 2. 猶太人 121:2.1 (1333.3) The Jews were a part of the older Semitic race, which also included the Babylonians, the Phoenicians, and the more recent enemies of Rome, the Carthaginians. During the fore part of the first century after Christ, the Jews were the most influential group of the Semitic peoples, and they happened to occupy a peculiarly strategic geographic position in the world as it was at that time ruled and organized for trade. 121:2.1 (1333.3) 猶太人是較早的閃族人的一部分,這種族也包括了巴比倫人、腓尼基人,以及羅馬較近期的敵人,迦太基人。在基督之後的第一個世紀的前期,猶太人是閃族人中最有影響力的群體,他們恰好佔據了世界上一個獨特戰略的地理位置,因當時世界是以貿易目的來進行統治和組織的。 121:2.2 (1333.4) Many of the great highways joining the nations of antiquity passed through Palestine, which thus became the meeting place, or crossroads, of three continents. The travel, trade, and armies of Babylonia, Assyria, Egypt, Syria, Greece, Parthia, and Rome successively swept over Palestine. From time immemorial, many caravan routes from the Orient passed through some part of this region to the few good seaports of the eastern end of the Mediterranean, whence ships carried their cargoes to all the maritime Occident. And more than half of this caravan traffic passed through or near the little town of Nazareth in Galilee. 121:2.2 (1333.4) 許多連接古代列國的重要的交通要道都經過巴勒斯坦,因此巴勒斯坦成為三大洲的聚會地點或交叉路口。巴比倫、亞述、埃及、敘利亞、希臘、帕提亞、羅馬的旅行、貿易和軍隊先後席捲了巴勒斯坦。自古以來,許多來自東方的商隊路線都經過這個地區的某些部分,到達地中海東端的少數幾個良好海港,船隻從那裡將貨物運往所有濱海的西方世界。而超過一半的商隊交通經過或靠近加利利的小鎮拿撒勒。 121:2.3 (1333.5) Although Palestine was the home of Jewish religious culture and the birthplace of Christianity, the Jews were abroad in the world, dwelling in many nations and trading in every province of the Roman and Parthian states. 121:2.3 (1333.5) 雖然巴勒斯坦是猶太宗教文化的發源地以及基督教的誕生地,但猶太人卻散布在世界,居住在許多國家,並在羅馬和帕提亞國家的每個省份進行貿易。 121:2.4 (1333.6) Greece provided a language and a culture, Rome built the roads and unified an empire, but the dispersion of the Jews, with their more than two hundred synagogues and well-organized religious communities scattered hither and yon throughout the Roman world, provided the cultural centers in which the new gospel of the kingdom of heaven found initial reception, and from which it subsequently spread to the uttermost parts of the world. 121:2.4 (1333.6) 希臘提供了語言和文化,羅馬修建了道路並統一了帝國,但猶太人的分散,和他們散布在羅馬世界各地的兩百多座會堂和組織良好的宗教團體,則提供了天國新福音首次獲得接納的文化中心,隨後並由此處將福音傳播到世界的最遠處。 121:2.5 (1333.7) Each Jewish synagogue tolerated a fringe of gentile believers, “devout” or “God-fearing” men, and it was among this fringe of proselytes that Paul made the bulk of his early converts to Christianity. Even the temple at Jerusalem possessed its ornate court of the gentiles. There was very close connection between the culture, commerce, and worship of Jerusalem and Antioch. In Antioch Paul’s disciples were first called “Christians.” 121:2.5 (1333.7) 每個猶太會堂都容忍了一小群外邦信徒,所謂「虔誠」或「敬畏神」的人,而保羅正是從這非主流的改宗者中獲得他早期改信基督教的大部分信徒。甚至耶路撒冷的聖殿也擁有華麗的外邦人庭院。耶路撒冷和安條克的文化、商業和崇拜之間有著非常密切的聯繫。在安提阿,保羅的門徒首次被稱為「基督徒。」 121:2.6 (1333.8) The centralization of the Jewish temple worship at Jerusalem constituted alike the secret of the survival of their monotheism and the promise of the nurture and sending forth to the world of a new and enlarged concept of that one God of all nations and Father of all mortals. The temple service at Jerusalem represented the survival of a religious cultural concept in the face of the downfall of a succession of gentile national overlords and racial persecutors. 121:2.6 (1333.8) 猶太聖殿崇拜在耶路撒冷的集中化,既構成他們一神論得以續存的秘密,也是孕育並向世界發出一種新的、擴大之概念——萬民之唯一神以及所有凡人之父——的承諾。耶路撒冷的聖殿事奉代表了在面對一連串外邦民族霸主和種族迫害者的垮臺時,宗教文化概念的續存。 121:2.7 (1334.1) The Jewish people of this time, although under Roman suzerainty, enjoyed a considerable degree of self-government and, remembering the then only recent heroic exploits of deliverance executed by Judas Maccabee and his immediate successors, were vibrant with the expectation of the immediate appearance of a still greater deliverer, the long-expected Messiah. 121:2.7 (1334.1) 此時的猶太人,雖然處於羅馬的宗主權下,但擁有相當程度的自治,並且記得在當時不久前由猶太·瑪加比和其緊接繼承者們所執行的英勇事蹟,因此對即將出現的更偉大拯救者——期待久已的彌賽亞——充滿期待。 121:2.8 (1334.2) The secret of the survival of Palestine, the kingdom of the Jews, as a semi-independent state was wrapped up in the foreign policy of the Roman government, which desired to maintain control of the Palestinian highway of travel between Syria and Egypt as well as the western terminals of the caravan routes between the Orient and the Occident. Rome did not wish any power to arise in the Levant which might curb her future expansion in these regions. The policy of intrigue which had for its object the pitting of Seleucid Syria and Ptolemaic Egypt against each other necessitated fostering Palestine as a separate and independent state. Roman policy, the degeneration of Egypt, and the progressive weakening of the Seleucids before the rising power of Parthia, explain why it was that for several generations a small and unpowerful group of Jews was able to maintain its independence against both Seleucidae to the north and Ptolemies to the south. This fortuitous liberty and independence of the political rule of surrounding and more powerful peoples the Jews attributed to the fact that they were the “chosen people,” to the direct interposition of Yahweh. Such an attitude of racial superiority made it all the harder for them to endure Roman suzerainty when it finally fell upon their land. But even in that sad hour the Jews refused to learn that their world mission was spiritual, not political. 121:2.8 (1334.2) 猶太人的王國巴勒斯坦作為一個半獨立的國家,其生存的秘密與羅馬政府的外交政策有關,羅馬政府渴望保持對往來於敘利亞和埃及之間的巴勒斯坦交通要道,以及東方和西方之間商隊路線的西部終點站的控制。羅馬不希望黎凡特出現任何可能遏制其未來在這些地區擴張的力量。目標是讓塞琉古敘利亞和托勒密埃及相互對抗的密謀政策,使得將巴勒斯坦扶植為一個獨立的國家成為必要。羅馬的政策、埃及的衰退以及塞琉古王朝在帕提亞崛起之前的逐漸削弱,解釋了為什麼在幾世代裡,一個小規模又不強大的猶太人群體能夠保持其獨立性,對抗北部的塞琉古王朝和南部的托勒密王朝。猶太人將這種幸運的自由和獨立於周圍更強大民族的政治統治歸因於他們是「選民」,歸因於雅威的直接介入。這種種族優越的態度使他們在羅馬宗主權最終落在他們土地上時,更加難以忍受它。但即使在那個悲傷的時刻,猶太人也拒絕認識到他們的世界使命是靈性的而非政治性的。 121:2.9 (1334.3) The Jews were unusually apprehensive and suspicious during the times of Jesus because they were then ruled by an outsider, Herod the Idumean, who had seized the overlordship of Judea by cleverly ingratiating himself with the Roman rulers. And though Herod professed loyalty to the Hebrew ceremonial observances, he proceeded to build temples for many strange gods. 121:2.9 (1334.3) 在耶穌的時代,猶太人異常地憂慮和多疑,因為當時他們被一位外來者——以東人希律王——所統治,他巧妙地迎合羅馬統治者而奪取了猶太(Judea)的霸權。雖然希律王自稱忠於希伯來人的儀式習俗,但他還是為許多奇怪的神建造了聖殿。 121:2.10 (1334.4) The friendly relations of Herod with the Roman rulers made the world safe for Jewish travel and thus opened the way for increased Jewish penetration even of distant portions of the Roman Empire and of foreign treaty nations with the new gospel of the kingdom of heaven. Herod’s reign also contributed much toward the further blending of Hebrew and Hellenistic philosophies. 121:2.10 (1334.4) 希律王與羅馬統治者的友好關係使猶太人在世界上旅行變得安全,從而為猶太人開闢了道路,以便將新的天國福音進一步傳入到甚至是羅馬帝國的遙遠地區.以及外交協定國家。希律王的統治也為希伯來和希臘化哲學的進一步混合做出了許多貢獻。 121:2.11 (1334.5) Herod built the harbor of Caesarea, which further aided in making Palestine the crossroads of the civilized world. He died in 4 b.c., and his son Herod Antipas governed Galilee and Perea during Jesus’ youth and ministry to a.d. 39. Antipas, like his father, was a great builder. He rebuilt many of the cities of Galilee, including the important trade center of Sepphoris. 121:2.11 (1334.5)希律王建造了凱撒利亞港,這進一步有助於巴勒斯坦成為文明世界的交會點。他於西元前 4 年去世,他的兒子希律・安提帕斯在耶穌的青年和傳道期間統治加利利和比利亞,一直到西元 39 年。安提帕斯和他的父親一樣是一位偉大的建造者。他重建了許多加利利的城市,包括重要的貿易中心塞弗瑞斯。 121:2.12 (1334.6) The Galileans were not regarded with full favor by the Jerusalem religious leaders and rabbinical teachers. Galilee was more gentile than Jewish when Jesus was born. 121:2.12 (1334.6) 耶路撒冷的宗教領袖和拉比導師並不完全認可加利利人。耶穌出生時,加利利的外邦人比猶太人更多。 3. Among the Gentiles 3. 在外邦人中 121:3.1 (1334.7) Although the social and economic condition of the Roman state was not of the highest order, the widespread domestic peace and prosperity was propitious for the bestowal of Michael. In the first century after Christ the society of the Mediterranean world consisted of five well-defined strata: 121:3.1 (1334.7) 雖然羅馬國家的社會和經濟狀況並非處於最盛期,但廣泛的國內和平與繁榮對於邁克爾的贈與是有利的。在基督之後的第一個世紀,地中海世界的社會由五個定義明確的階層組成: 121:3.2 (1335.1) 1. The aristocracy. The upper classes with money and official power, the privileged and ruling groups. 121:3.2 (1335.1) 1. 貴族。擁有金錢和官權的上層階級,享有特權的統治團體。 121:3.3 (1335.2) 2. The business groups. The merchant princes and the bankers, the traders—the big importers and exporters—the international merchants. 121:3.3 (1335.2) 2. 商業團體。商業貴族和銀行家,貿易商——大型進口商和出口商——國際商人。 121:3.4 (1335.3) 3. The small middle class. Although this group was indeed small, it was very influential and provided the moral backbone of the early Christian church, which encouraged these groups to continue in their various crafts and trades. Among the Jews many of the Pharisees belonged to this class of tradesmen. 121:3.4 (1335.3) 3. 小型中產階級。雖然這個團體確實很小,但它非常有影響力並提供了早期基督教會的道德支柱,而教會則鼓勵這些團體繼續從事各種手工藝和貿易。在猶太人中,許多法利賽人屬於這一階級的商人。 121:3.5 (1335.4) 4. The free proletariat. This group had little or no social standing. Though proud of their freedom, they were placed at great disadvantage because they were forced to compete with slave labor. The upper classes regarded them disdainfully, allowing that they were useless except for “breeding purposes.” 121:3.5 (1335.4) 4. 自由無產階級。這個群體幾乎沒有社會地位。儘管他們為自己的自由感到自豪,但由於他們被迫與奴隸勞動競爭,因此處於極大的不利地位。上層階級輕蔑地看待它們,認為它們除了「繁殖目的」之外毫無用處。 121:3.6 (1335.5) 5. The slaves. Half the population of the Roman state were slaves; many were superior individuals and quickly made their way up among the free proletariat and even among the tradesmen. The majority were either mediocre or very inferior. 121:3.6 (1335.5) 5. 奴隸。羅馬國家一半的人口是奴隸,許多人是優秀個體,並迅速躋身於自由無產階級甚至商人之列。大多數奴隸要不是平庸,就是非常低劣。 121:3.7 (1335.6) Slavery, even of superior peoples, was a feature of Roman military conquest. The power of the master over his slave was unqualified. The early Christian church was largely composed of the lower classes and these slaves. 121:3.7 (1335.6) 奴隸制是羅馬軍事征服的一個特徵,甚至是對於優秀的民族。主人對其奴隸的權力是無條件的。早期的基督教會主要由下層階級和這些奴隸組成。 121:3.8 (1335.7) Superior slaves often received wages and by saving their earnings were able to purchase their freedom. Many such emancipated slaves rose to high positions in state, church, and the business world. And it was just such possibilities that made the early Christian church so tolerant of this modified form of slavery. 121:3.8 (1335.7) 優秀的奴隸經常獲得工資,並透過儲存其收入而能夠贖回自由。許多這樣被解放的奴隸在國家、教會和商業界中晉升高職。正是這種可能性使早期基督教會對這種改良形式的奴隸制如此寬容。 121:3.9 (1335.8) There was no widespread social problem in the Roman Empire in the first century after Christ. The major portion of the populace regarded themselves as belonging in that group into which they chanced to be born. There was always the open door through which talented and able individuals could ascend from the lower to the higher strata of Roman society, but the people were generally content with their social rank. They were not class conscious, neither did they look upon these class distinctions as being unjust or wrong. Christianity was in no sense an economic movement having for its purpose the amelioration of the miseries of the depressed classes. 121:3.9 (1335.8) 在基督之後的第一世紀,羅馬帝國裡並沒有存在普遍的社會問題。大部分民眾認為自己屬於他們恰巧出生的那個群體。總是有一扇敞開的大門,有才華和能力的人可以通過它從羅馬社會的較低階層晉升到較高階層,但人們通常對他們的社會地位感到滿意。他們沒有階級意識,也不認為這些階級區別是不公正或是錯誤的。從某種意義上說,基督教絕不是一場以改善被壓迫階級的苦難為目的的經濟運動。 121:3.10 (1335.9) Although woman enjoyed more freedom throughout the Roman Empire than in her restricted position in Palestine, the family devotion and natural affection of the Jews far transcended that of the gentile world. 121:3.10 (1335.9) 雖然女性在整個羅馬帝國享有比她在巴勒斯坦的受限制地位更多的自由,但猶太人對家庭的奉獻和對家庭與生俱來的情感遠遠超過外邦人世界。 4. Gentile Philosophy 4. 外邦哲學 121:4.1 (1335.10) The gentiles were, from a moral standpoint, somewhat inferior to the Jews, but there was present in the hearts of the nobler gentiles abundant soil of natural goodness and potential human affection in which it was possible for the seed of Christianity to sprout and bring forth an abundant harvest of moral character and spiritual achievement. The gentile world was then dominated by four great philosophies, all more or less derived from the earlier Platonism of the Greeks. These schools of philosophy were: 121:4.1 (1335.10) 從道德的觀點來看,外邦人比猶太人稍遜一籌,但在高尚的外邦人的心中,有著天生良善和潛在人性深情的豐沛土壤,基督教的種子有可能在這裡發芽,並結出道德品格和屬靈成就的豐盛果實。當時,外邦人世界被四種偉大的哲學所主導,這些哲學都或多或少源自於希臘人早期的柏拉圖主義。這些哲學流派是: 121:4.2 (1335.11) 1. The Epicurean. This school of thought was dedicated to the pursuit of happiness. The better Epicureans were not given to sensual excesses. At least this doctrine helped to deliver the Romans from a more deadly form of fatalism; it taught that men could do something to improve their terrestrial status. It did effectually combat ignorant superstition. 121:4.2 (1335.11) 1. 伊比鳩魯派。這個思想流派致力於追求幸福。更好的伊比鳩魯主義者不會沈溺感官上的無節制。至少這個教義有助於將羅馬人從更致命的宿命論形式中解救出來;它教導人們可以做一些事情來改善他們的世間地位。它確實有效地打擊了無知的迷信。 121:4.3 (1336.1) 2. The Stoic. Stoicism was the superior philosophy of the better classes. The Stoics believed that a controlling Reason-Fate dominated all nature. They taught that the soul of man was divine; that it was imprisoned in the evil body of physical nature. Man’s soul achieved liberty by living in harmony with nature, with God; thus virtue came to be its own reward. Stoicism ascended to a sublime morality, ideals never since transcended by any purely human system of philosophy. While the Stoics professed to be the “offspring of God,” they failed to know him and therefore failed to find him. Stoicism remained a philosophy; it never became a religion. Its followers sought to attune their minds to the harmony of the Universal Mind, but they failed to envisage themselves as the children of a loving Father. Paul leaned heavily toward Stoicism when he wrote, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” 121:4.3 (1336.1) 2. 斯多葛派。斯多葛主義是較佳階級的優越哲學。斯多葛學派認為,一種支配的理性-命運(Reason-Fate)主宰著一切自然。他們教導說,人的靈魂是神聖的;它被囚禁在物質本質的邪惡身體中。人的靈魂透過與自然、與神和諧相處而獲得自由;因此,美德成為它自己的獎賞。斯多葛主義上升到一種崇高的道德,這種理想從未被任何純粹的人類哲學體系所超越過。雖然斯多葛學派自稱是「上帝的後裔」,但他們未能認識他,因此也未能找到他。斯多葛主義仍然是一種哲學;它從未成為一種宗教。它的追隨者試圖讓他們的心智與萬有心識(Universal Mind)的和諧相協調,但他們未能將自己設想成慈愛之「父」的孩子。保羅非常傾向於斯多葛主義,他寫道:「無論我處於什麼狀態,我都學會了知足。」 121:4.4 (1336.2) 3. The Cynic. Although the Cynics traced their philosophy to Diogenes of Athens, they derived much of their doctrine from the remnants of the teachings of Machiventa Melchizedek. Cynicism had formerly been more of a religion than a philosophy. At least the Cynics made their religio-philosophy democratic. In the fields and in the market places they continually preached their doctrine that “man could save himself if he would.” They preached simplicity and virtue and urged men to meet death fearlessly. These wandering Cynic preachers did much to prepare the spiritually hungry populace for the later Christian missionaries. Their plan of popular preaching was much after the pattern, and in accordance with the style, of Paul’s Epistles. 121:4.4 (1336.2) 3. 犬儒派。儘管犬儒可追溯他們的哲學到雅典的第歐根尼,但他們的大部分教義都來自瑪可文塔·默基瑟德教義的殘存。犬儒主義從前更像是一種宗教,而不是一種哲學。至少犬儒主義者使他們的宗教哲學大眾化。在田野和市集上,他們不斷宣揚他們的教義,即「人如果願意,就可以拯救他自己」。他們宣揚簡樸和美德,並敦促人們無所畏懼地迎接死亡。這些流浪的犬儒鼓吹者做了許多工作,使靈性上饑渴的民眾對後來的基督教傳教士做好了準備。他們的通俗講道計劃在很大程度上遵循了保羅書信的模式和風格。 121:4.5 (1336.3) 4. The Skeptic. Skepticism asserted that knowledge was fallacious, and that conviction and assurance were impossible. It was a purely negative attitude and never became widespread. 121:4.5 (1336.3) 4. 懷疑論派。懷疑主義斷言知識是謬誤的,確信和保證是不可能的。這是一種純粹的消極態度,從未普及。 121:4.6 (1336.4) These philosophies were semireligious; they were often invigorating, ethical, and ennobling but were usually above the common people. With the possible exception of Cynicism, they were philosophies for the strong and the wise, not religions of salvation for even the poor and the weak. 121:4.6 (1336.4) 這些哲學是半宗教的;他們通常是振奮人心、合乎倫理且使人高尚的,但通常凌駕於普通人之上。除了犬儒主義可能是個例外之外,它們都是強者和智者的哲學,而不是窮人和弱者的救贖宗教。 5. The Gentile Religions 5. 外邦宗教 121:5.1 (1336.5) Throughout preceding ages religion had chiefly been an affair of the tribe or nation; it had not often been a matter of concern to the individual. Gods were tribal or national, not personal. Such religious systems afforded little satisfaction for the individual spiritual longings of the average person. 121:5.1 (1336.5) 在先前的時代,宗教主要是部落或國家的事務;它通常不是個人關心的問題。眾神是部落或民族的,而不是個人的。這樣的宗教體系對一般人的個人靈性渴望幾乎沒有帶來任何滿足。 121:5.2 (1336.6) In the times of Jesus the religions of the Occident included: 121:5.2 (1336.6) 在耶穌的時代,西方的宗教包括: 121:5.3 (1336.7) 1. The pagan cults. These were a combination of Hellenic and Latin mythology, patriotism, and tradition. 121:5.3 (1336.7) 1. 異教徒教派。這些是希臘和拉丁神話、愛國主義和傳統的結合。 121:5.4 (1336.8) 2. Emperor worship. This deification of man as the symbol of the state was very seriously resented by the Jews and the early Christians and led directly to the bitter persecutions of both churches by the Roman government. 121:5.4 (1336.8) 2. 帝王崇拜。這種將人神化為國家象徵的做法受到了猶太人和早期基督徒的嚴重不滿,並直接導致了羅馬政府對這兩個教會的殘酷迫害。 121:5.5 (1337.1) 3. Astrology. This pseudo science of Babylon developed into a religion throughout the Greco-Roman Empire. Even in the twentieth century man has not been fully delivered from this superstitious belief. 121:5.5 (1337.1) 3. 占星學。巴比倫的這種偽科學在整個希臘羅馬帝國發展成為一種宗教。即使在二十世紀,人類也沒有完全擺脫這種迷信的信仰。 121:5.6 (1337.2) 4. The mystery religions. Upon such a spiritually hungry world a flood of mystery cults had broken, new and strange religions from the Levant, which had enamored the common people and had promised them individual salvation. These religions rapidly became the accepted belief of the lower classes of the Greco-Roman world. And they did much to prepare the way for the rapid spread of the vastly superior Christian teachings, which presented a majestic concept of Deity, associated with an intriguing theology for the intelligent and a profound proffer of salvation for all, including the ignorant but spiritually hungry average man of those days. 121:5.6 (1337.2) 4. 神秘宗教。在這樣一個靈性饑渴的世界上,一股神秘異教的潮流席捲而來,這來自黎凡特的新奇的宗教令一般人民著迷並且承諾了他們個別的救贖。這些宗教迅速成為希臘羅馬世界下層階級公認的信仰。它們做了許多事,為極為優越的基督教教義之迅速傳播鋪平道路,這些教義提出了一個崇高的神靈概念,並為了智者而與有趣的神學相結合,且為了所有人——包括當時無知但靈性饑餓的普通人——而與深刻的救贖倡議相結合。 121:5.7 (1337.3) The mystery religions spelled the end of national beliefs and resulted in the birth of the numerous personal cults. The mysteries were many but were all characterized by: 121:5.7 (1337.3) 神秘的宗教宣告了國家信仰的終結,並導致了眾多個人崇拜的誕生。神秘宗教很多,但都具有以下特徵: 121:5.8 (1337.4) 1. Some mythical legend, a mystery—whence their name. As a rule this mystery pertained to the story of some god’s life and death and return to life, as illustrated by the teachings of Mithraism, which, for a time, were contemporary with, and a competitor of, Paul’s rising cult of Christianity. 121:5.8 (1337.4) 1. 一些神話傳說,一個神秘的事物——他們的名字由此而來。通常,這神秘事物與某個神的生死和復活的故事有關,正如密特拉教的教義所闡明的那樣,密特拉教曾一度與保羅的崛起中之基督教派同個時代,並且是其競爭對手。 121:5.9 (1337.5) 2. The mysteries were nonnational and interracial. They were personal and fraternal, giving rise to religious brotherhoods and numerous sectarian societies. 121:5.9 (1337.5) 2. 這些神秘宗教是非國家和跨種族的。它們是個人的和兄弟間的,並導致了宗教兄弟會和許多宗派社團的產生。 121:5.10 (1337.6) 3. They were, in their services, characterized by elaborate ceremonies of initiation and impressive sacraments of worship. Their secret rites and rituals were sometimes gruesome and revolting. 121:5.10 (1337.6) 3. 在他們的服務中,他們以精心設計的入會儀式和令人印象深刻的敬拜聖禮為特徵。他們的秘密儀式和典禮有時是使人毛骨悚然和反感的。 121:5.11 (1337.7) 4. But no matter what the nature of their ceremonies or the degree of their excesses, these mysteries invariably promised their devotees salvation, “deliverance from evil, survival after death, and enduring life in blissful realms beyond this world of sorrow and slavery.” 121:5.11 (1337.7) 4. 但是,無論他們的儀式的性質或是他們的無節制的程度如何,這些神秘宗教總是向他們的信徒承諾救贖,「從邪惡中解脫出來,死後續存,並在這個充滿悲傷和奴役的世界之外的幸福領域中持續生活。」 121:5.12 (1337.8) But do not make the mistake of confusing the teachings of Jesus with the mysteries. The popularity of the mysteries reveals man’s quest for survival, thus portraying a real hunger and thirst for personal religion and individual righteousness. Although the mysteries failed adequately to satisfy this longing, they did prepare the way for the subsequent appearance of Jesus, who truly brought to this world the bread of life and the water thereof. 121:5.12 (1337.8) 但不要把耶穌的教導和神秘宗教混為一談。神秘宗教的流行揭示了人類對續存的追求,從而描繪了對個人宗教和個體正義的真正饑渴。雖然神秘宗教未能充分滿足這種渴望,但它們確實為隨後的耶穌出現鋪平了道路,耶穌確實將生命之糧和生命之水帶到了這個世界。 121:5.13 (1337.9) Paul, in an effort to utilize the widespread adherence to the better types of the mystery religions, made certain adaptations of the teachings of Jesus so as to render them more acceptable to a larger number of prospective converts. But even Paul’s compromise of Jesus’ teachings (Christianity) was superior to the best in the mysteries in that: 121:5.13 (1337.9) 保羅為了利用對於神秘宗教中較佳類型的廣泛信奉,對耶穌的教導作了某些改變,以使它們更容易被更大量的潛在皈依者所接受。但即使是保羅對耶穌的教導(基督教)的妥協,也優於神秘宗教中最好的,因為: 121:5.14 (1337.10) 1. Paul taught a moral redemption, an ethical salvation. Christianity pointed to a new life and proclaimed a new ideal. Paul forsook magic rites and ceremonial enchantments. 121:5.14 (1337.10) 1. 保羅教導了道德救贖,倫理拯救。基督教指出了新的生活,宣告了新的理想。保羅摒棄了魔法儀式和禮儀上的迷惑。 121:5.15 (1337.11) 2. Christianity presented a religion which grappled with final solutions of the human problem, for it not only offered salvation from sorrow and even from death, but it also promised deliverance from sin followed by the endowment of a righteous character of eternal survival qualities. 121:5.15 (1337.11) 2. 基督教提出了一種努力解決人類問題最終解決方案的宗教,因為它不僅提供了從悲傷甚至死亡中的拯救,而且還承諾從罪惡中解脫出來,然後賦予具有永恆生存品質的正義品格。 121:5.16 (1338.1) 3. The mysteries were built upon myths. Christianity, as Paul preached it, was founded upon a historic fact: the bestowal of Michael, the Son of God, upon mankind. 121:5.16 (1338.1) 3. 這些神秘宗教是建立在神話之上的。基督教如保羅所宣揚的那樣,是建立在一個歷史事實之上:神之子邁克爾贈與給人類。 121:5.17 (1338.2) Morality among the gentiles was not necessarily related to either philosophy or religion. Outside of Palestine it not always occurred to people that a priest of religion was supposed to lead a moral life. Jewish religion and subsequently the teachings of Jesus and later the evolving Christianity of Paul were the first European religions to lay one hand upon morals and the other upon ethics, insisting that religionists pay some attention to both. 121:5.17 (1338.2) 外邦人中的道德不一定與哲學或宗教有關。在巴勒斯坦以外,人們並不總是認為宗教牧師應該過一種道德生活。猶太宗教和隨後耶穌的教導,以及後來逐漸演進的保羅基督教,是最早將一隻手放在道德上,另一隻手放在倫理上的歐洲宗教,堅持宗教人士對兩者都給予關注。 121:5.18 (1338.3) Into such a generation of men, dominated by such incomplete systems of philosophy and perplexed by such complex cults of religion, Jesus was born in Palestine. And to this same generation he subsequently gave his gospel of personal religion—sonship with God. 121:5.18 (1338.3 ) 在這樣一個被如此不完整的哲學體系所支配,以及被如此複雜的教派所迷惑的人類世代,耶穌出生在巴勒斯坦。他隨後將他的人格宗教之福音——與神的子民關係——傳給了這同一代人。 6. The Hebrew Religion 6. 希伯來宗教 121:6.1 (1338.4) By the close of the first century before Christ the religious thought of Jerusalem had been tremendously influenced and somewhat modified by Greek cultural teachings and even by Greek philosophy. In the long contest between the views of the Eastern and Western schools of Hebrew thought, Jerusalem and the rest of the Occident and the Levant in general adopted the Western Jewish or modified Hellenistic viewpoint. 121:6.1 (1338.4) 在基督之前第一世紀結束時,耶路撒冷的宗教思想已受到希臘文化教導甚至希臘哲學的極大影響,並多少有所修改。 在東西方希伯來思想學派觀點的長期爭論中,耶路撒冷以及西方世界和黎凡特其餘部分,總體來說採納了西方猶太人或是改良希臘化的觀點。 121:6.2 (1338.5) In the days of Jesus three languages prevailed in Palestine: The common people spoke some dialect of Aramaic; the priests and rabbis spoke Hebrew; the educated classes and the better strata of Jews in general spoke Greek. The early translation of the Hebrew scriptures into Greek at Alexandria was responsible in no small measure for the subsequent predominance of the Greek wing of Jewish culture and theology. And the writings of the Christian teachers were soon to appear in the same language. The renaissance of Judaism dates from the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures. This was a vital influence which later determined the drift of Paul’s Christian cult toward the West instead of toward the East. 121:6.2 (1338.5) 在耶穌的時代,三種語言在巴勒斯坦流行:普通人說亞蘭語的某種方言;祭司和拉比說希伯來語;受教育階級和較好階層的猶太人一般說希臘語。在亞歷山卓,早期將希伯來語經文翻譯成希臘語,在很大程度上是隨後猶太文化和神學之希臘語分支佔主導地位的原因。 基督教導師們的作品不久也以同樣語言出現。 猶太教的復興始於對希伯來語經文的希臘語翻譯,這是一個至關重要的影響,它後來決定了保羅的基督教派流向西方,而非流向東方。 121:6.3 (1338.6) Though the Hellenized Jewish beliefs were very little influenced by the teachings of the Epicureans, they were very materially affected by the philosophy of Plato and the self-abnegation doctrines of the Stoics. The great inroad of Stoicism is exemplified by the Fourth Book of the Maccabees; the penetration of both Platonic philosophy and Stoic doctrines is exhibited in the Wisdom of Solomon. The Hellenized Jews brought to the Hebrew scriptures such an allegorical interpretation that they found no difficulty in conforming Hebrew theology with their revered Aristotelian philosophy. But this all led to disastrous confusion until these problems were taken in hand by Philo of Alexandria, who proceeded to harmonize and systemize Greek philosophy and Hebrew theology into a compact and fairly consistent system of religious belief and practice. And it was this later teaching of combined Greek philosophy and Hebrew theology that prevailed in Palestine when Jesus lived and taught, and which Paul utilized as the foundation on which to build his more advanced and enlightening cult of Christianity. 121:6.3 (1338.6) 儘管希臘化的猶太人信仰受到伊比鳩魯學派教導的影響甚微,但它們在很大程度上受到了柏拉圖哲學和斯多葛學派自我克制教義的影響。斯多葛主義的巨大進展體現在《馬加比第四書》;柏拉圖哲學和斯多葛教義的滲透則展現在《所羅門的智慧》中。希臘化的猶太人為希伯來語經文帶來了這樣一種寓意性闡釋,以致他們發現在將希伯來神學與他們尊崇的亞里士多德哲學保持一致並不困難。但這一切導致了災難性的困惑,一直到亞歷山卓的斐洛著手處理這些問題,他開始將希臘哲學和希伯來神學協調以及系統化,使之成為為一種緊湊而又相當一致的宗教信仰和實踐體系。當耶穌生活和教導時,在巴勒斯坦盛行的正是這一結合的希臘哲學和希伯來神學的後期教導,保羅也利用此教導作為基礎來構建他更為先進和富有啟發的基督教教派。 121:6.4 (1338.7) Philo was a great teacher; not since Moses had there lived a man who exerted such a profound influence on the ethical and religious thought of the Occidental world. In the matter of the combination of the better elements in contemporaneous systems of ethical and religious teachings, there have been seven outstanding human teachers: Sethard, Moses, Zoroaster, Lao-tse, Buddha, Philo, and Paul. 121:6.4 (1338.7) 斐洛是一位偉大的導師;自從摩西以來再沒有一個人能對西方世界的倫理與宗教思想產生如此深遠的影響。就結合同時代倫理與宗教教導體系中的較佳要素而言,有七位傑出的人類導師:塞特德(Sethard),摩西,瑣羅亞斯德,老子,佛陀,斐洛和保羅。 121:6.5 (1339.1) Many, but not all, of Philo’s inconsistencies resulting from an effort to combine Greek mystical philosophy and Roman Stoic doctrines with the legalistic theology of the Hebrews, Paul recognized and wisely eliminated from his pre-Christian basic theology. Philo led the way for Paul more fully to restore the concept of the Paradise Trinity, which had long been dormant in Jewish theology. In only one matter did Paul fail to keep pace with Philo or to transcend the teachings of this wealthy and educated Jew of Alexandria, and that was the doctrine of the atonement; Philo taught deliverance from the doctrine of forgiveness only by the shedding of blood. He also possibly glimpsed the reality and presence of the Thought Adjusters more clearly than did Paul. But Paul’s theory of original sin, the doctrines of hereditary guilt and innate evil and redemption therefrom, was partially Mithraic in origin, having little in common with Hebrew theology, Philo’s philosophy, or Jesus’ teachings. Some phases of Paul’s teachings regarding original sin and the atonement were original with himself. 121:6.5 (1339.1) 斐洛的許多(但不是全部)前後矛盾之處,是由於試圖將希臘神秘哲學和羅馬斯多葛學派的教義與希伯來人的律法主義神學結合起來,保羅認出這些問題並明智地從他的前基督教基礎神學中將其移除。斐羅為保羅帶路,使保羅更為全面地恢復了在猶太神學中長期被擱置的天堂三位一體的概念。保羅只有一件事未能跟上斐洛的步伐,或是未能超越這位富裕和受教育的亞歷山卓猶太人的教導,那就是贖罪的教義;斐洛教導只有通過流血才能從寬恕的教義中解脫出來。他也可能比保羅更清楚地瞥見了思想調整者的實相和臨在。但保羅的原罪理論,即遺傳的罪和與生俱來的邪惡以及由此而來的救贖教義,部分起源於密特拉教派,與希伯來神學、斐洛的哲學或耶穌的教導幾乎沒有共同之處。保羅關於原罪和贖罪的教導的某些方面是他自己原創的。 121:6.6 (1339.2) The Gospel of John, the last of the narratives of Jesus’ earth life, was addressed to the Western peoples and presents its story much in the light of the viewpoint of the later Alexandrian Christians, who were also disciples of the teachings of Philo. 121:6.6 (1339.2) 耶穌在世間生活的最後一部敘述《約翰福音》是寫給西方人的,並大多依照後來亞歷山卓基督徒的觀點來呈現其故事,他們也是斐洛之教導的門徒。 121:6.7 (1339.3) At about the time of Christ a strange reversion of feeling toward the Jews occurred in Alexandria, and from this former Jewish stronghold there went forth a virulent wave of persecution, extending even to Rome, from which many thousands were banished. But such a campaign of misrepresentation was short-lived; very soon the imperial government fully restored the curtailed liberties of the Jews throughout the empire. 121:6.7 (1339.3) 大約在基督的時期,亞歷山卓發生了一種奇怪的對猶太人的感情逆轉,從這個前猶太人的據點開始了一股充滿敵意的迫害浪潮,甚至延伸到羅馬,成千上萬的人被驅逐出羅馬。但這種歪曲事實的運動是短暫的;帝國政府很快就完全恢復了整個帝國猶太人被限制的自由。 121:6.8 (1339.4) Throughout the whole wide world, no matter where the Jews found themselves dispersed by commerce or oppression, all with one accord kept their hearts centered on the holy temple at Jerusalem. Jewish theology did survive as it was interpreted and practiced at Jerusalem, notwithstanding that it was several times saved from oblivion by the timely intervention of certain Babylonian teachers. 121:6.8 (1339.4) 在整個廣闊世界中,無論猶太人因商業或壓迫而分散到何處,所有人一致將他們的心集中在耶路撒冷的聖殿上。猶太神學的確因它在耶路撒冷被闡釋和實踐而倖存下來,儘管它曾數次因某些巴比倫教師的及時介入而免於被遺忘。 121:6.9 (1339.5) As many as two and one-half million of these dispersed Jews used to come to Jerusalem for the celebration of their national religious festivals. And no matter what the theologic or philosophic differences of the Eastern (Babylonian) and the Western (Hellenic) Jews, they were all agreed on Jerusalem as the center of their worship and in ever looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. 121:6.9 (1339.5) 這些分散的猶太人中,有多達兩百五十萬人過去經常到耶路撒冷來慶祝他們的民族宗教節日。無論東方(巴比倫)和西方(希臘)猶太人在神學或哲學上有什麼差異,他們都同意耶路撒冷是他們敬拜的中心,並永遠期待著彌賽亞的到來。 7. Jews and Gentiles 7. 猶太人和外邦人 121:7.1 (1339.6) By the times of Jesus the Jews had arrived at a settled concept of their origin, history, and destiny. They had built up a rigid wall of separation between themselves and the gentile world; they looked upon all gentile ways with utter contempt. They worshiped the letter of the law and indulged a form of self-righteousness based upon the false pride of descent. They had formed preconceived notions regarding the promised Messiah, and most of these expectations envisaged a Messiah who would come as a part of their national and racial history. To the Hebrews of those days Jewish theology was irrevocably settled, forever fixed. 121:7.1 (1339.6) 到了耶穌的時代,猶太人對他們的起源、歷史和命運已經形成了一個固定的概念。他們已在他們自己與外邦人世界之間築起了一堵堅固的隔離牆;他們對於所有外邦人的方式都以完全輕蔑的態度看待。他們崇拜律法文字,並沉迷於一種基於妄自尊大血統的自我正義形態。對於應許的彌賽亞,他們已形成了先入為主的觀念,大多數的這些期望設想了一位將作為他們國家和種族歷史之一部分而到來的彌賽亞。對於那些日子的希伯來人來說,猶太神學是不可撼動的,是永遠不變的。 121:7.2 (1339.7) The teachings and practices of Jesus regarding tolerance and kindness ran counter to the long-standing attitude of the Jews toward other peoples whom they considered heathen. For generations the Jews had nourished an attitude toward the outside world which made it impossible for them to accept the Master’s teachings about the spiritual brotherhood of man. They were unwilling to share Yahweh on equal terms with the gentiles and were likewise unwilling to accept as the Son of God one who taught such new and strange doctrines. 121:7.2 (1339.7) 耶穌關於寬容和仁慈的教導與實踐,與猶太人長期以來對於他們認為是異教徒的其它民族之態度背道而馳。世代以來,猶太人已孕育了一種對待外在世界的態度,這使得他們不可能接受主關於人類屬靈兄弟情誼的教導。他們不願與外邦人平等分享雅威,同樣不願接受教導這類新奇教義的人作為神之子。 121:7.3 (1340.1) The scribes, the Pharisees, and the priesthood held the Jews in a terrible bondage of ritualism and legalism, a bondage far more real than that of the Roman political rule. The Jews of Jesus’ time were not only held in subjugation to the law but were equally bound by the slavish demands of the traditions, which involved and invaded every domain of personal and social life. These minute regulations of conduct pursued and dominated every loyal Jew, and it is not strange that they promptly rejected one of their number who presumed to ignore their sacred traditions, and who dared to flout their long-honored regulations of social conduct. They could hardly regard with favor the teachings of one who did not hesitate to clash with dogmas which they regarded as having been ordained by Father Abraham himself. Moses had given them their law and they would not compromise. 121:7.3 (1340.1) 文士、法利賽人和祭司將猶太人置於儀式主義和律法主義的可怕束縛之中,一種遠比羅馬政治統治更真實的束縛。耶穌時代的猶太人不僅受到律法的壓制,也同樣受到傳統奴隸般要求的束縛,它們涉及並侵犯了個人和社會生活的每一個領域。這些瑣碎的行為規章緊跟著且支配著每個忠誠的猶太人,因此他們立即拒絕他們這類人當中擅自忽略他們神聖傳統,以及膽敢藐視他們長期尊崇之社會行為規則的一員,也就不足為奇。他們很難對一個毫不猶豫與他們視為是由父親亞伯拉罕本身所制定教條相抵觸的人持有好感。摩西已給與他們律法,而他們不願妥協。 121:7.4 (1340.2) By the time of the first century after Christ the spoken interpretation of the law by the recognized teachers, the scribes, had become a higher authority than the written law itself. And all this made it easier for certain religious leaders of the Jews to array the people against the acceptance of a new gospel. 121:7.4 (1340.2) 到了基督之後的第一個世紀,由公認的導師、文士對律法的口頭闡釋,已成為比書面律法本身更高的權威。而所有這一切使猶太人的某些宗教領袖更容易組織民眾反對接受新福音。 121:7.5 (1340.3) These circumstances rendered it impossible for the Jews to fulfill their divine destiny as messengers of the new gospel of religious freedom and spiritual liberty. They could not break the fetters of tradition. Jeremiah had told of the “law to be written in men’s hearts,” Ezekiel had spoken of a “new spirit to live in man’s soul,” and the Psalmist had prayed that God would “create a clean heart within and renew a right spirit.” But when the Jewish religion of good works and slavery to law fell victim to the stagnation of traditionalistic inertia, the motion of religious evolution passed westward to the European peoples. 121:7.5 (1340.3) 這些情況使得猶太人不可能實現他們作為宗教自由和屬靈解放之新福音信使的神聖天命。他們無法打破傳統的束縛。耶利米曾講過「律法要寫在人們的心裡,」以西結曾說過「新的靈住在人的靈魂中,」詩篇作者祈禱過神要「造一個純潔的心,使裡面重新有正直的靈。」但是,當猶太的善行和對法律的奴役成為傳統主義慣性停滯不前的犧牲品時,宗教演進的運動向西傳向歐洲民族。 121:7.6 (1340.4) And so a different people were called upon to carry an advancing theology to the world, a system of teaching embodying the philosophy of the Greeks, the law of the Romans, the morality of the Hebrews, and the gospel of personality sanctity and spiritual liberty formulated by Paul and based on the teachings of Jesus. 121:7.6 (1340.4) 因此,一個不同的民族被召喚來將一個先進的神學帶到世界,一套教導體系包含了希臘人哲學、羅馬人律法、希伯來人道德以及由保羅所制定且基於耶穌教導的關於人格聖潔和屬靈自由之福音。 121:7.7 (1340.5) Paul’s cult of Christianity exhibited its morality as a Jewish birthmark. The Jews viewed history as the providence of God—Yahweh at work. The Greeks brought to the new teaching clearer concepts of the eternal life. Paul’s doctrines were influenced in theology and philosophy not only by Jesus’ teachings but also by Plato and Philo. In ethics he was inspired not only by Christ but also by the Stoics. 121:7.7 (1340.5) 保羅的基督教教派將它的道德展現為一種猶太人的胎記。猶太人將歷史視為神的天意——雅威在運作。希臘人為新教導帶來了關於永恆生命的更清晰概念。保羅的教義在神學和哲學方面不僅受到耶穌教導的影響,也受到了柏拉圖和斐洛的影響。在倫理方面,他不僅受到基督的啟發,也受到斯多葛派的啟發。 121:7.8 (1340.6) The gospel of Jesus, as it was embodied in Paul’s cult of Antioch Christianity, became blended with the following teachings: 121:7.8 (1340.6) 耶穌的福音,正如它體現在保羅安提阿基督教教派中所體現的,與以下教導混合在一起: 121:7.9 (1340.7) 1. The philosophic reasoning of the Greek proselytes to Judaism, including some of their concepts of the eternal life. 121:7.9 (1340.7) 1. 希臘改信猶太教者的哲學推理,包括他們對永恆生命的一些概念。 121:7.10 (1340.8) 2. The appealing teachings of the prevailing mystery cults, especially the Mithraic doctrines of redemption, atonement, and salvation by the sacrifice made by some god. 121:7.10 (1340.8) 2. 盛行神秘教派之吸引人的教導,尤其是透過某個神所做祭獻而得到贖罪、救贖和拯救的密特拉教義。 121:7.11 (1340.9) 3. The sturdy morality of the established Jewish religion. 121:7.11 (1340.9) 3. 已建立的猶太宗教之堅定道德。 121:7.12 (1341.1) The Mediterranean Roman Empire, the Parthian kingdom, and the adjacent peoples of Jesus’ time all held crude and primitive ideas regarding the geography of the world, astronomy, health, and disease; and naturally they were amazed by the new and startling pronouncements of the carpenter of Nazareth. The ideas of spirit possession, good and bad, applied not merely to human beings, but every rock and tree was viewed by many as being spirit possessed. This was an enchanted age, and everybody believed in miracles as commonplace occurrences. 121:7.12 (1341.1) 耶穌時代的地中海羅馬帝國、帕提亞王國和鄰近民族,對於世界地理、天文學、健康和疾病都持有粗糙而又原始的觀念;他們對拿撒勒木匠的嶄新而又驚人的聲明自然感到驚訝。附身的觀念,無論好壞,不僅適用於人類,而且許多人認為每個岩石和樹木也被靈所附。這是一個充滿魔法的時代,每個人相信奇跡是司空見慣的事。 8. Previous Written Records 8. 先前的書面記錄 121:8.1 (1341.2) As far as possible, consistent with our mandate, we have endeavored to utilize and to some extent co-ordinate the existing records having to do with the life of Jesus on Urantia. Although we have enjoyed access to the lost record of the Apostle Andrew and have benefited from the collaboration of a vast host of celestial beings who were on earth during the times of Michael’s bestowal (notably his now Personalized Adjuster), it has been our purpose also to make use of the so-called Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 121:8.1 (1341.2) 在符合我們的授權之下,我們已盡可能努力利用並在某種程度上協調與耶穌在玉苒廈上的生活相關的現存記錄。儘管我們享有使用使徒安德魯失落的記錄,並受益於在邁克爾贈與時期在地球上的大量天界存有的合作(特別是他現在的人格化調整者),但我們的目的也是利用所謂的《馬太福音》、《馬可福音》、《路加福音》和《約翰福音》。 121:8.2 (1341.3) These New Testament records had their origin in the following circumstances: 121:8.2 (1341.3) 這些《新約》記錄的起源如以下情況: 121:8.3 (1341.4) 1. The Gospel by Mark. John Mark wrote the earliest (excepting the notes of Andrew), briefest, and most simple record of Jesus’ life. He presented the Master as a minister, as man among men. Although Mark was a lad lingering about many of the scenes which he depicts, his record is in reality the Gospel according to Simon Peter. He was early associated with Peter; later with Paul. Mark wrote this record at the instigation of Peter and on the earnest petition of the church at Rome. Knowing how consistently the Master refused to write out his teachings when on earth and in the flesh, Mark, like the apostles and other leading disciples, was hesitant to put them in writing. But Peter felt the church at Rome required the assistance of such a written narrative, and Mark consented to undertake its preparation. He made many notes before Peter died in a.d. 67, and in accordance with the outline approved by Peter and for the church at Rome, he began his writing soon after Peter’s death. The Gospel was completed near the end of a.d. 68. Mark wrote entirely from his own memory and Peter’s memory. The record has since been considerably changed, numerous passages having been taken out and some later matter added at the end to replace the latter one fifth of the original Gospel, which was lost from the first manuscript before it was ever copied. This record by Mark, in conjunction with Andrew’s and Matthew’s notes, was the written basis of all subsequent Gospel narratives which sought to portray the life and teachings of Jesus. 121:8.3 (1341.4) 1. 馬可福音。約翰·馬可寫下了耶穌生平最早(除了安德魯的筆記)、最簡短和最簡單的記錄。 他把主描述為一位侍奉者,為人們中的一員。 雖然馬可是一個在他所描繪的許多場景周圍逗留的少年,他的記錄實際上是「據西門·彼得所說的福音書」。 他早期就與彼得有關聯;後來又與保羅結交。馬可是在彼得的鼓動和羅馬教會的誠摯請求下寫下這段記錄。馬可知道主在塵世肉身時始終不願寫下他的教導,他像使徒以及其他主要門徒一樣,對於將它們付諸文字感到猶豫。但彼得覺得羅馬的教會需要這樣一種書面敘述的幫助,而馬可同意進行其準備工作。馬可在彼得於西元67年去世之前做了許多筆記,按照彼得所贊同的大綱以及為了羅馬教會,他在彼得死後不久開始寫作。福音書在接近西元68年末完成。馬可完全憑著自己的記憶和彼得的記憶來寫。從那以後,記錄發生了很大的更動,許多段落被移除,並在末尾添加了一些後來的內容以取代原始福音書的後五分之一,這原始福音書的後五分之一在第一份手稿被抄寫之前就從手稿中遺失了。馬可的這一記錄,連同安德魯和馬太的筆記,是所有後續試圖描繪耶穌生平和教導的福音書敘述的書面基礎。 121:8.4 (1341.5) 2. The Gospel of Matthew. The so-called Gospel according to Matthew is the record of the Master’s life which was written for the edification of Jewish Christians. The author of this record constantly seeks to show in Jesus’ life that much which he did was that “it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet.” Matthew’s Gospel portrays Jesus as a son of David, picturing him as showing great respect for the law and the prophets. 121:8.4 (1341.5) 2. 馬太福音。所謂「據馬太所說的福音書」是關於主生平的記錄,是為了對猶太基督徒的啟迪而寫的。這一紀錄的作者不斷試圖展示在耶穌的生活中他所做的許多事是「這是要應驗先知所說的話。」馬太的福音將耶穌描繪為大衛的一個子孫,描寫他對律法和先知展現出極大的尊重。 121:8.5 (1341.6) The Apostle Matthew did not write this Gospel. It was written by Isador, one of his disciples, who had as a help in his work not only Matthew’s personal remembrance of these events but also a certain record which the latter had made of the sayings of Jesus directly after the crucifixion. This record by Matthew was written in Aramaic; Isador wrote in Greek. There was no intent to deceive in accrediting the production to Matthew. It was the custom in those days for pupils thus to honor their teachers. 121:8.5 (1341.6) 使徒馬太並未撰寫此福音書。它是由他的一位門徒伊薩多所寫,他的作品中不僅仰賴馬太對這些事件的個人回憶,也借助了馬太緊接在耶穌十字架受難後,依耶穌話語所做的紀錄。馬太的這一記錄是用亞蘭語寫的;伊薩多則以希臘語書寫。將作品歸功於馬太並無欺騙之意。在當時,學生以此方式來榮耀他們導師是種習俗。 121:8.6 (1342.1) Matthew’s original record was edited and added to in a.d. 40 just before he left Jerusalem to engage in evangelistic preaching. It was a private record, the last copy having been destroyed in the burning of a Syrian monastery in a.d. 416. 121:8.6 (1342.1) 馬太的原始記錄是在西元40年編輯和增訂的,就在他離開耶路撒冷從事福音佈道之前。它是一份私人記錄,最後一個副本於西元416年在一個敘利亞修道院的火災中被燒毀。 121:8.7 (1342.2) Isador escaped from Jerusalem in a.d. 70 after the investment of the city by the armies of Titus, taking with him to Pella a copy of Matthew’s notes. In the year 71, while living at Pella, Isador wrote the Gospel according to Matthew. He also had with him the first four fifths of Mark’s narrative.  121:8.7 (1342.2) 伊薩多於西元70年提圖斯的軍隊封鎖耶路撒冷後,逃離了城市,帶著馬太筆記的抄本抵達佩拉。西元71年,伊薩多住在佩拉期間,他寫下了「據馬太所說的福音書」。他還隨身帶了前五分之四的馬可的敘述。 121:8.8 (1342.3) 3. The Gospel by Luke. Luke, the physician of Antioch in Pisidia, was a gentile convert of Paul, and he wrote quite a different story of the Master’s life. He began to follow Paul and learn of the life and teachings of Jesus in a.d. 47. Luke preserves much of the “grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” in his record as he gathered up these facts from Paul and others. Luke presents the Master as “the friend of publicans and sinners.” He did not formulate his many notes into the Gospel until after Paul’s death. Luke wrote in the year 82 in Achaia. He planned three books dealing with the history of Christ and Christianity but died in a.d. 90 just before he finished the second of these works, the “Acts of the Apostles.” 121:8.8 (1342.3) 3. 路加福音。路加是皮西迪亞安提阿的一位醫生,他是保羅的外邦改變信仰者,他寫了相當不一樣的關於主生平的故事。他在西元47年開始追隨保羅並獲悉耶穌的生平和教導。路加在他的記錄中保留了許多「主耶穌基督的恩典」,他從保羅及其他人那裡收集了這些事實。路加將主呈現為「稅吏和罪人的朋友。」直到保羅死後,他才將他的許多筆記整理到福音書中。路加於82年在亞該亞寫作。他計劃寫三本有關基督和基督教歷史的書,但就在他完成這些作品中的第二部——《使徒行傳》——之前,於西元90年去世。 121:8.9 (1342.4) As material for the compilation of his Gospel, Luke first depended upon the story of Jesus’ life as Paul had related it to him. Luke’s Gospel is, therefore, in some ways the Gospel according to Paul. But Luke had other sources of information. He not only interviewed scores of eyewitnesses to the numerous episodes of Jesus’ life which he records, but he also had with him a copy of Mark’s Gospel, that is, the first four fifths, Isador’s narrative, and a brief record made in the year a.d. 78 at Antioch by a believer named Cedes. Luke also had a mutilated and much-edited copy of some notes purported to have been made by the Apostle Andrew. 121:8.9 (1342.4) 就彙編他的福音書的資料而言,路加最早依賴保羅講述給他關於耶穌生平的故事。因此路加的福音在某些方面是「據保羅所說的福音書」。但路加也擁有其它資料來源。他不僅訪談過他所記錄的許多耶穌生平事蹟的大量見證者,他也隨身有一本馬可福音抄本,也就是前五分之四的伊薩多的敘述,以及由一位名叫塞德斯(Cedes)的信徒於西元78年在安提阿所做的簡短記錄。路加還有一份殘缺不全且經過大量編輯的某些筆記的副本,這些筆記據稱是使徒安德魯所做的。 121:8.10 (1342.5) 4. The Gospel of John. The Gospel according to John relates much of Jesus’ work in Judea and around Jerusalem which is not contained in the other records. This is the so-called Gospel according to John the son of Zebedee, and though John did not write it, he did inspire it. Since its first writing it has several times been edited to make it appear to have been written by John himself. When this record was made, John had the other Gospels, and he saw that much had been omitted; accordingly, in the year a.d. 101 he encouraged his associate, Nathan, a Greek Jew from Caesarea, to begin the writing. John supplied his material from memory and by reference to the three records already in existence. He had no written records of his own. The Epistle known as “First John” was written by John himself as a covering letter for the work which Nathan executed under his direction. 121:8.10 (1342.5) 4. 約翰福音。這一「據約翰所說的福音書」,講述了耶穌在猶太和耶路撒冷周圍許多未被包含在其它記錄中的工作。這就是所謂的「據西庇太的兒子約翰所說福音書」,儘管約翰並未寫下它,他的確啟發了它。自從它的首次編寫以來,它已經被編輯了好幾次,使它看起來像是約翰自己寫的。當這一記錄被記下來時,約翰有其它的福音書,他看到了許多內容被遺漏了;因此,他在西元101年鼓勵他的同伴,一名來自凱撒利亞的希臘猶太人拿單開始寫作。約翰根據記憶和參考已經存在的三份記錄提供他的資料。他並未擁有他自己的書面記錄,被稱為《約翰一書》的使徒書信是由約翰本人所寫,作為拿單在他指導下執行的工作的說明信。 121:8.11 (1342.6) All these writers presented honest pictures of Jesus as they saw, remembered, or had learned of him, and as their concepts of these distant events were affected by their subsequent espousal of Paul’s theology of Christianity. And these records, imperfect as they are, have been sufficient to change the course of the history of Urantia for almost two thousand years. 121:8.11 (1342.6) 所有這些作者就他們所看到、所記得或所得知的,呈現了耶穌的忠實寫照,他們有關這些遙遠事件的概念也受到了他們隨後信奉保羅基督教神學的影響。這些記錄儘管不完美,但足以改變玉苒廈幾近兩千年的歷史進程。 121:8.12 (1343.1) [Acknowledgment: In carrying out my commission to restate the teachings and retell the doings of Jesus of Nazareth, I have drawn freely upon all sources of record and planetary information. My ruling motive has been to prepare a record which will not only be enlightening to the generation of men now living, but which may also be helpful to all future generations. From the vast store of information made available to me, I have chosen that which is best suited to the accomplishment of this purpose. As far as possible I have derived my information from purely human sources. Only when such sources failed, have I resorted to those records which are superhuman. When ideas and concepts of Jesus’ life and teachings have been acceptably expressed by a human mind, I invariably gave preference to such apparently human thought patterns. Although I have sought to adjust the verbal expression the better to conform to our concept of the real meaning and the true import of the Master’s life and teachings, as far as possible, I have adhered to the actual human concept and thought pattern in all my narratives. I well know that those concepts which have had origin in the human mind will prove more acceptable and helpful to all other human minds. When unable to find the necessary concepts in the human records or in human expressions, I have next resorted to the memory resources of my own order of earth creatures, the midwayers. And when that secondary source of information proved inadequate, I have unhesitatingly resorted to the superplanetary sources of information. 121:8.12 (1343.1) [致謝:在執行我重申拿撒勒人耶穌的教導和重述其行為的任務時,我大量地利用了所有記錄和行星資料的來源。我的主要動機是準備一份不僅對現在活著的人們有所啟發,而且也可能對所有後代都會有所幫助的記錄。從我可獲得的浩瀚豐富資料中,我已選擇了那些最適合實現這一目的的內容。我盡可能地從純粹的人類來源取得我的資料。只有當這樣的來源失敗時,我才會求助於那些超人類的記錄。當耶穌的生平和教導的思想和概念已被人類心智合適地表達時,我總是優先考慮這種明顯的人類思維模式。雖然我試圖調整言辭表達,以更好地符合我們對主生平和教誨之真實含義和真正重要性的概念,但我在所有的敘述中都盡可能地遵守了實際的人類概念和思維模式。我很清楚,那些起源於人類心智的概念將證明更容易被所有其他人類心智所接受,且更有幫助。當無法在人類記錄或人類表達中找到必要的概念時,我接下來求助於我自己類別的地球受造物——中道者——的記憶資源。當那第二類資料來源被證明不夠時,我毫不猶豫地求助於超行星的資料來源。 121:8.13 (1343.2) The memoranda which I have collected, and from which I have prepared this narrative of the life and teachings of Jesus—aside from the memory of the record of the Apostle Andrew—embrace thought gems and superior concepts of Jesus’ teachings assembled from more than two thousand human beings who have lived on earth from the days of Jesus down to the time of the inditing of these revelations, more correctly restatements. The revelatory permission has been utilized only when the human record and human concepts failed to supply an adequate thought pattern. My revelatory commission forbade me to resort to extrahuman sources of either information or expression until such a time as I could testify that I had failed in my efforts to find the required conceptual expression in purely human sources. 121:8.13 (1343.2) 我所收集的備忘錄,以及我從中準備的關於耶穌生平和教導的這一敘述——與對使徒安德魯記錄的記憶一起——包含了匯集自耶穌時期到這些啟示撰寫(更準確地說是重述)時代,生活在地球上兩千多人的關於耶穌教義的思想瑰寶和卓越概念。只有當人類記錄和人類概念無法提供足夠的思維模式時,啟示性許可才被使用。我的啟示委任禁止我求助於超出人類之外的資料或詞語來源,直到我能證明我無法在純粹的人類來源中找到所需的概念表達。 121:8.14 (1343.3) While I, with the collaboration of my eleven associate fellow midwayers and under the supervision of the Melchizedek of record, have portrayed this narrative in accordance with my concept of its effective arrangement and in response to my choice of immediate expression, nevertheless, the majority of the ideas and even some of the effective expressions which I have thus utilized had their origin in the minds of the men of many races who have lived on earth during the intervening generations, right on down to those who are still alive at the time of this undertaking. In many ways I have served more as a collector and editor than as an original narrator. I have unhesitatingly appropriated those ideas and concepts, preferably human, which would enable me to create the most effective portraiture of Jesus’ life, and which would qualify me to restate his matchless teachings in the most strikingly helpful and universally uplifting phraseology. In behalf of the Brotherhood of the United Midwayers of Urantia, I most gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to all sources of record and concept which have been hereinafter utilized in the further elaboration of our restatement of Jesus’ life on earth.] 121:8.14 (1343.3) 儘管我在我十一位同伴中道者的合作以及紀錄中的默基瑟德的監管下,依照我對敘事有效安排的概念和我對直接措辭之選擇的回應,描繪了這一敘述,然而,我所如此使用的大多數觀念甚至一些有效的表達方式,都起源於許多種族的人類心智,他們是在這些中間世代的期間活在地球上,包含了那些在從事這項工作時仍健在的人。在許多方面我更多是擔當一名彙集者和編輯者,而非一名原創的敘述者。我毫不猶豫地挪用了那些觀念和概念(最好是來自人類的),這些觀念和概念使我能創作出對耶穌的生平最為有效的描繪,並使我有資格以最為顯著有益及最為普遍振奮人心的措辭來重述他無與倫比教導。我謹代表玉苒廈聯合中道者兄弟會,向所有記錄和概念的來源致以最誠摯的謝意,這些記錄和概念在下文中被用於進一步闡述我們對耶穌在世間生活的重述。]

26. heinä 2024 - 38 min
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