< 哥林多後書 12 >
1 必須誇耀──固然無益──我就來說說主的顯現和啟示。
It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable. But I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 我知道有一個在基督內的人,十四年前,被提到二層天上去──或在身內,我不知道或在身外,我也不知道,惟天主知道──
I know a man in Messiah, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body, I do not know; God knows), such a one was caught up into the third heaven.
3 我知道這人──或在身內,或在身外外,我不知道──天主知道──
I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows),
4 他被提到樂園裏去,聽到了不可言傳的話,是人不能說出的。
how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a human to utter.
5 對這樣的人,我要誇耀;但為我自己,除了我的軟弱外,我沒有可誇耀火。
On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
6 其實,既使我願意誇耀,我也不算是狂妄,因為我說的是實話;但是我絕口不談,免得有人估計我,超了他在我身上所見到的,或由我所聽到的。
For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.
7 免得我因那高超的啟示而過於高舉我自己,故在身體上給了我一根刺,就是撒殫的使者來拳擊我,免得我過於高舉我自己。
And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, therefore, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to pound away at me, to keep me from exalting myself.
Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 但主對我說:「有我的恩寵為你夠了,因為我的德能在軟弱中才全顯出來。」所以我甘 心情願誇耀我的軟弱,好叫基督的德能常在我身上。
He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may rest on me.
10 為此,我為基督的緣故,喜歡在軟弱中,在淩辱中,在艱難中,在迫害中,在困苦中,因為我幾軟弱,正是我有能力的時候。
Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Messiah's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 我成了狂妄的人,那是你們逼我的。本來我該受 的褒揚,因為縱然我不算什麼,卻一點也不在那些超等的宗徒以下。
I have become foolish. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best emissaries, though I am nothing.
12 宗徒的記號,也在你們中間,以各種的堅忍,藉著徵兆、奇蹟和異能,真正實現了;
Truly the signs of an emissary were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
13 其實除了我本人沒有連累過你們這件事外,你們有什麼不及別的教會之處呢﹖關於這個委曲,你們寬恕我罷!
For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the congregations, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
14 看,這已是第三次我預備好,到那裏去,我還是不連累你們,因為我所求的不是你們的東西,而你們自己;原來不是兒女應為父母積蓄,而是父母該為兒女積蓄。
Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 至於我,我甘心情願為的靈魂付出一切,並將我自己也完全耗盡;難道我越多愛你們,就該少得你們的愛嗎﹖
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
16 是啊! 我沒有連累過你們,但我是出於狡滑,以詭計詐取了你們。
But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.
17 在我所打發到你們那裏去的人中,難道我曾藉著其中的一位,詐取了你們的便宜嗎﹖
Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you?
18 我曾請戈支了弟鐸,並打發了一位弟兄同去;難道弟鐸佔過你們的便宜嗎﹖我們行動來往,不具有一樣的心神,一樣的步伐嗎﹖
I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did not we walk in the same spirit? Did not we walk in the same steps?
19 到如今你們以為我是向你們申辯罷! 其實我們是在基督內當著天主的面說話;這一切,親愛的,都是為建樹你們,
Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves before you? In the sight of God we speak in Messiah; and all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
20 因為我怕我來到的時候,你們也見我不合於我所想望的,你們也見於我石合於所想望的:就是怕有爭端、嫉妒、憤怒、分裂、毀謗、挑唆、自大、紛亂;
For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you do not desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;
21 又怕我到的時候,我的天主再使我在你們前受委曲,為那許多從前犯了罪而不悔改他們所習行的不潔、淫亂和放蕩的人而慟哭。
that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.