耶利米書 40

1 隊長乃步匝辣當從辣瑪釋放耶肋米亞以後，上主又有話傳給先知─俘虜中──

The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound with chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into exile to Babylon.

2 衛隊長提出耶肋米亞後，便對他說：「雅威你的天主對這地方，曾預言過這番災禍，

The chief guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “Yahweh your God decreed this disaster for this place.

3 如今果然來了；雅威照他所說的做了；因為你們犯罪相反雅威，沒有聽他的聲音，所以為你們纔發生了這樣的事。

So Yahweh brought it about. He did just as he had decreed, since you people sinned against him and did not obey his voice. That is why this thing has happened to you people.

4 現在，你看，今天我給你除去手上的鎖鏈；你若看著同我一起到巴比倫去好，就去，我必另眼看待你；你若看著同我一起到巴比倫去不好，沒有關係；你看，整個大地擺在你面前，你看著那裏好，去那裏相宜，就到那裏去罷。

But now look! I have released you today from the chains that were on your hands. If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take care of you. But if it is not good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, then do not do so. Look at all the land before you. Go where it is good and right in your eyes to go.”

5 你若願住下，可回到巴比倫王委任管理猶大城鎮的沙番的孫子，阿希甘的兒子革達里雅那裏去，與他一同住在民間；或是到看著相宜去的任何地方去。」衛隊長便給了他乾糧和禮物，打發他走了。

When Jeremiah did not reply, Nebuzaradan said, “Go to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has put in charge of the cities of Judah. Stay with him among the people or go wherever it is good in your eyes to go.” The commander of the king's bodyguards gave him food and a gift, and then sent him away.

6 耶肋米亞來到米茲帕阿希甘的兒子革達里雅那裏，與他一同住在當地的遺民間。

So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, at Mizpah. He stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.

7 在鄉間殘存的各部隊首領和他們的屬下，聽說巴比倫王委派了阿希甘的兒子革達里雅管理當地，任命他照顧當地未遷徙至巴比倫去的男女、幼童和窮人，

Now some commanders of Judean soldiers who were still in the countryside—they and their men—heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah son of Ahikam governor over the land. They also heard that he had put him in charge of the men, women, and children who were the poorest people in the land, those who had not been exiled to Babylon.

8 便親自和自己的屬下來到米茲帕革達里雅那裏；前來的，有乃塔尼雅的兒子依市瑪耳，卡勒亞的兒子約哈南，堂胡默特的兒子色辣雅，乃托法人厄法依的兒子們和瑪阿加人的兒子雅匝尼雅。

So they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah. These men were Ishmael son of Nethaniah; Johanan and Jonathan, sons of Kareah; Seraiah son of Tanhumeth; the sons of Ephai the Netophathite; and Jaazaniah son of the Maakathite—they and their men.

9 沙番的孫子，阿希甘的兒子革達里雅對他們和部屬起誓說：「你們不要怕奉加色丁人；住在本地，臣屬於巴比倫王，於你們必利。

Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan took an oath to them and to their men and said to them, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.

10 至於我，看，我願住在米茲帕，為對付到我們這裏來的加色丁人；你們只管儲藏酒、油和夏季的出產，安放在器皿內，住在所佔的城市裏。」

Look, I am living in Mizpah to meet with the Chaldeans who came to us. So harvest wine, summer fruit, and oil and store them in your containers. Live in the cities that you have occupied.”

11 散居在摩阿布，阿孟子民間，厄東地以及其他各地的一切猶太人，也聽說巴比倫王給猶大留下了遺民，派了沙番的孫子，阿希甘的兒子革達里雅管理他們，

Then all the Judeans in Moab, among the people of Ammon, and in Edom, and in every land heard that the king of Babylon had allowed a remnant of Judah to stay, that he had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan over them.

12 所有的猶太人就從自己飄流所至之地回來，來到猶大地類茲帕革達里雅那裏，收得了大量的酒和夏季的出產。

So all the Judeans returned from every place where they had been scattered. They came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. They harvested wine and summer fruit in great abundance.

13 卡勒亞的兒子約哈南，和在鄉間所有部隊的首領，都到米茲帕革達里雅那裏，

Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders in the countryside came to Gedaliah at Mizpah.

14 對他說：「你是否知道：阿孟子民的君王巴里斯派遣乃塔尼雅的兒子依市瑪耳來殺害你﹖」但是阿希甘的兒子革達里雅不相信他們的話。

They said to him, “Do you realize that Baalis king of the people of Ammon sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to murder you?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikim did not believe them.

15 卡勒亞的兒子約哈南私下在米茲帕對革達里雅提議說：「讓我去殺了乃塔尼雅的兒子依市瑪耳，沒有人會知道；為什麼要讓他來謀害你的性命，集合在你身邊的一切猶太人又遭離散，猶大遺民再遭滅亡﹖」

So Johanan son of Kareah spoke privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah and said, “Allow me to go kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah. No one will suspect me. Why should he kill you? Why allow all of Judah that has been gathered to you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah destroyed?”

16 阿希甘的兒子革達里雅答覆卡勒亞的兒子約哈南說：「不要作這件事，因為你論依市瑪耳所說的，只不過是流言。」

But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, “Do not do this thing, for you are telling lies about Ishmael.”