< 以賽亞書 9 >
1 因為遭受災難的,必將免於黑暗。往昔上主曾使則步隆和納翡塔里地域受了侮辱,但日後卻使沿海之路,約但東岸,外方人的加里肋亞獲得了光榮。
But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 在黑暗中行走的百姓看見了一道皓光,光輝已射在那寄居在漆黑之地的人們身上。
The people sitting in darkness have seen a great light. Those living in the land and shadow of death, on them a light has shined.
3 你加強了他們的快樂,擴大了他們的歡喜;他們在你面前歡樂,有如人收割時的歡樂,又如分贓時的愉快;
You have multiplied the nation. You have increased his joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 因為你折斷了他們所負的重軛、他們肩上的橫木,以及壓迫他們者的短棍,有如在米德楊那天一樣;
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian.
5 因為戰士所穿發響的軍靴,和染滿血跡的戰袍,都要被焚毀,作為火燄的燃料。
For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6 因為有一個嬰孩為我們誕生了,有一個兒子賜給了我們;他肩上擔負著王權,他的名子要稱為神奇的謀士、強有力的天主、永遠之父、和平之王。
For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders, and his name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 他的王權是偉大的,達味的御座和他王國的平安是無限的,他將以正義與公平對王國加以鞏固與保持,從今時直到永遠:萬軍上主的熱誠必要完成這事。
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
8 吾主發出了一句相反雅各伯的話,這話臨於以色列。
The LORD sent a word into Jacob, and it falls on Israel.
9 整個民眾,即厄弗辣因和撒瑪黎雅的居民,終必領悟,因為他們曾自負,且心高氣傲說:「
All the people will know, including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart,
10 假使磚瓦墮毀了,我們將以方石再建;假使桑樹伐倒了,我們將代以香柏! 」
"The bricks have fallen, but we will build with cut stone. The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place."
11 所以上主必興起他的對手,慫恿他的仇敵來攻擊他:
Therefore the LORD will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,
12 東有阿蘭,西有培肋舍特,他們必張口併吞以色列;然而他的震怒並未因此而熄滅,他的手仍然伸著。
The Arameans in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13 但民眾仍沒有歸依打擊他們的天主,仍不尋求萬軍的上主。
Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought the LORD of hosts.
14 因此,上主要在一天之內,砍斷以色列的首尾、棕枝和蘆葦。【
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day.
The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
16 因為領導這民族的人走入了歧途,受引導的人陷入了混亂。
For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.
17 因此,吾主將毫不憐憫他的少年,毫不撫恤他的孤兒和寡婦,因為他們都是乖戾邪惡的,並且都是口出惡言的,然而他的震怒並未因此而熄滅,他的手仍然伸著。
Therefore the LORD will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18 罪惡猶如燃燒的火燄,焚毀荊棘和蒺藜,使叢林燎起大火,煙柱因此旋轉上騰。
For wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.
19 由於萬軍上主的憤怒,地域將被燒毀,百姓成為火燄的柴薪,無人撫恤自己的弟兄,
Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother.
20 各吃自己近人的肉:向右攫食的,仍舊遭受飢餓;向左吞噬的,依然不得果腹。
One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm:
21 默納協吞噬厄弗辣因,厄弗辣因吞滅默納協,二者又合力併吞猶大;然而他的震怒並未因此而熄滅,他的手仍然伸著。
Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.