加拉太書 4
1 再說：承繼人幾時還是孩童，雖然他是一切家業的主人，卻與奴隸沒有分別，
I am saying that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is owner of the entire estate.
2 仍屬於監護人和代理人的權下，直到父親預定的期限。
But he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.
3 同樣，當我們以前還作孩童的時候，我們是隸屬今世的蒙學權下；
So also, when we were children, we were enslaved to the elemental principles of the world.
4 但時期一滿，天主就派遣了自己的兒子來，生於女人，生於法律之下，
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
5 為把在法律之下的人贖出來，使我們獲得義子的地位。
He did this to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
6 為證實你們確實的天主的子女，天主派遣了自己兒子的聖神，到我們內心喊說：「阿爸，父啊! 」
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
7 所以你已不再是奴隸，而是兒子了；如果是兒子，賴天主的恩寵，也成了承繼人。
So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then you are also an heir through God.
8 當你們還不認識天主的時候，服事了一些本來不是神的神；
But at that time, when you did not know God, you were made to be slaves to those who are, by their natural powers, not gods at all.
9 但如今你們認識了天主，更好說為天主所認識；那麼，你們怎麼又再回到那無能無用的蒙學裏去，情願再作他們的奴隸呢﹖
But now that you have come to know God, or rather that you are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to the weak and worthless elemental principles? Do you want to be enslaved all over again?
10 你們竟又謹守某日、某月、某時、某年!
You observe days and new moons and seasons and years!
11 我真為你們擔心，怕我白白地為你們辛苦了。
I am afraid for you that somehow my work with you may have been for nothing.
12 弟兄們! 我懇求你們要像我一樣，因為我曾一度也像你們一樣。你們一點也沒有虧負過我。
I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I also have become like you. You did me no wrong.
13 你們知道：當我初次給你們宣講福音時，正當我身患重病，
But you know that it was because of a physical illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time.
14 雖然我的病勢為你們是個試探，你們卻沒有輕看我，也沒有厭棄我，反接待我有如一位天主的天使，有如基督耶穌。
Though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. Instead you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
15 那麼，你們當日所慶幸的在那裡呢﹖我敢為你們作證：如若可能，你們那時也會把你們的眼睛挖出來給我。
Where, then, is your blessing now? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your own eyes and given them to me.
16 那麼，只因我給你們說實話，就成了你們的仇人嗎﹖
So then, have I become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?
17 那些人對你們表示關心，並不懷好好意； 他們只是願意使你們與我隔絕，好叫你們也關心他們。
They are zealous to win you over, but for no good. They want to shut you out, so you may be zealous for them.
18 受人關心固然是好的，但應懷好意，且該常常如此，並不單是我在你們中間的時候。
It is always good to be zealous for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you.
19 我的孩子們! 我願為你們再受產痛，直到基督在你們內形成為止。
My little children, again I am in the pains of childbirth for you until Christ is formed in you.
20 恨不得我現今就在你們跟前，改變我的聲調，因為我對你們實在放心不下。
I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.
21 你們願意屬於法律的，請告訴我：你們沒有聽見法律說什麼嗎﹖
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
22 法律曾記載說：亞巴郎有兩個兒子：一個生於婢女，一個生於自由的婦人。
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave girl and one by the free woman.
23 那生於婢女的，是按常例而生的；但那生於自由婦人的，卻是因恩許而生的。
One was born by the slave girl according to the flesh, but the other was born by the free woman through promise.
24 這都含有寓意：那兩個婦人是代表兩個盟約：一是出於西乃山，生子為奴，那即是哈加爾──
These things may be interpreted as an allegory, for these women represent two covenants. One of them is from Mount Sinai and she gives birth to children who are slaves. This is Hagar.
25 西乃山是在阿剌伯──這哈加爾相當於現在的耶路撒冷，因為耶路撒冷與她的子女同為奴隸。
Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia; and she represents the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
26 然而那屬於天上的耶路撒冷卻是自由的，她就是我們的母親：
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.
27 誠如經上記載說：『不生育的石女，喜樂罷! 未經產痛的女人，歡呼高唱罷! 因為被棄者的子女比有夫者的子女還多。』
For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren one who does not give birth; cry out and shout for joy, you who are not suffering the pains of childbirth; because the children of the abandoned woman are more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.”
28 弟兄們! 你們像依撒格一樣，是恩許的子女。
But you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
29 但是，先前那按常例而生的怎樣迫害了那按神恩而生的，如今還是這樣。
At that time the one who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit. It is the same now.
30 然而經上說了什麼﹖『你將婢女和她的兒子趕走，因為婢女的兒子不能與自由婦人的兒子，一同承受家業。』
But what does the scripture say? “Send away the slave girl and her son. For the son of the slave girl will not share in the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”
31 所以，弟兄們，我們不是婢女的子女，而是自由婦人的子女。
Therefore, brothers, we are not children of a slave girl, but of the free woman.
