< 以弗所書 2 >
AND you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 那時你們生活在過犯罪惡中,跟隨這世界的風氣,順從空中權能的首領,即現今在悖逆之子身上發生作用的惡神。 (aiōn )
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (aiōn )
3 就連我們從前也都在這樣環境中生活過,放縱肉身的私慾,照肉身和心意所喜好的行事,且生來就是易怒之子,和別人一樣。
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 竟在我們因過犯死了的時候,使我們同基督一起生活──可見你們得救,是由於恩寵──
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )
6 且使我們同祂一起復活,在基督耶穌內使我們同祂一起坐在天上,
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 為將自己無限豐富的恩寵,即祂在基督耶穌內,對我們所懷有的慈惠,顯示給未來的世代。 (aiōn )
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (aiōn )
8 因為你們得救是由於恩寵,藉著信德,所以信德並不是出於你們自己,而是天主的恩惠;
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 原來我們是祂的化工,是在基督耶穌內受造的,為行天主所預備的各種善工,叫我們在這些善工中度日。
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 所以你們應該記得,你們從前生來本是外邦人,被那些受割損的人──割損本是人手在肉身上所行的──稱為未受割損的人;
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 記得你們那時沒有默西亞,與以色列社團隔絕,對恩許的盟約是局外人,在這世界上沒有希望,沒有天主。
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 但是現今在基督耶穌內,你們從前遠離天主的人,藉著基督的血,成為親近的了。
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 因為基督是我們的和平,祂使雙方合而為一;祂以自己的肉身,拆毀了中間阻隔的牆壁,就是隻方的仇恨,
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 並廢除了由規條命令所組成的法律,為把雙方在自己身上造成一個新人,而成就和平。
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 祂以十字架誅滅了仇恨,也以十字架使雙方合成一體,與天主和好。
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 所以祂來,向你們遠離的人傳布了和平的福音,也向那親近的人傳布了和平,
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 因為藉著祂,我們雙方在一個聖神內,才得以進到父面前。
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 所以你們已不再是外方人或旅客,而是聖徒的同胞,是天主的家人;
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 已被建築在宗徒和先知的基礎上,而基督耶穌自己卻是這建築物的角石,
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 靠著祂,整個建築物結構緊湊,逐漸擴大,在主內成為一座聖殿;
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 並且靠著祂,你們也一同被建築,因著聖神,成為天主的住所。
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.