耶利米书 18
1 耶和华的话临到耶利米说：
Yahweh gave another message to me. [He said],
2 “你起来，下到窑匠的家里去，我在那里要使你听我的话。”
“Go to the shop of the man who makes clay pots. I will give you a message there.”
3 我就下到窑匠的家里去，正遇他转轮做器皿。
So I went to that shop, and I saw the man who makes pots. He was working at the wheel [that he uses to form pots].
4 窑匠用泥做的器皿，在他手中做坏了，他又用这泥另做别的器皿；窑匠看怎样好，就怎样做。
But when he finished making one jar, it was not as good as he hoped/wanted it to be. [So], he took that clay and formed it into another jar, shaping it as he desired.
5 耶和华的话就临到我说：
Then Yahweh gave me this message:
6 “耶和华说：以色列家啊，我待你们，岂不能照这窑匠弄泥吗？以色列家啊，泥在窑匠的手中怎样，你们在我的手中也怎样。
“Perhaps the people of Israel [think that] I cannot do to them like this man who makes pots has done [RHQ]. [But what they think is wrong]. I [can control what happens to them like] this man [controls what he does with the clay] in his hands.
7 我何时论到一邦或一国说，要拔出、拆毁、毁坏；
There may be a time when I proclaim that I will get rid of a nation or kingdom, [like someone] pulls up [a plant with its roots], and smashes it, and destroys it.
8 我所说的那一邦，若是转意离开他们的恶，我就必后悔，不将我想要施行的灾祸降与他们。
But if [the people of] that nation repent of doing evil things, I will not send to them the disasters that I planned to send.
9 我何时论到一邦或一国说，要建立、栽植；
And there may be a time when I proclaim that I will establish a nation or kingdom and cause it to be strong [MET].
10 他们若行我眼中看为恶的事，不听从我的话，我就必后悔，不将我所说的福气赐给他们。
But if [the people of] that nation [start to] do evil things and refuse to obey me, then I will not bless them as I said that I would do.
11 现在你要对犹大人和耶路撒冷的居民说：‘耶和华如此说：我造出灾祸攻击你们，定意刑罚你们。你们各人当回头离开所行的恶道，改正你们的行动作为。’
Therefore, [Jeremiah, go and warn all] the people in Jerusalem and [in other places] in Judah. Say to them, ‘This is what Yahweh says: “I am planning to cause you to experience a disaster [DOU]. [So], each of you should turn from your evil behavior and start doing what is right, [in order that you will not experience that disaster].”’’”
12 “他们却说：‘这是枉然。我们要照自己的计谋去行。’各人随自己顽梗的恶心做事。”
[So I told that message to the people], but they replied, “It is useless [for you to tell us that]. We will [continue to] be stubborn and behave as we want to.”
13 所以，耶和华如此说： 你们且往各国访问， 有谁听见这样的事？ 以色列民行了一件极可憎恶的事。
So, this is what Yahweh says: “Ask the [people who live in other] nations if they have [RHQ] ever heard of such a thing. My Israeli people, who [have been pure like] [MET] virgins, have done a terrible thing!
14 黎巴嫩的雪从田野的磐石上岂能断绝呢？ 从远处流下的凉水岂能干涸呢？
The snow certainly never [RHQ] completely disappears/melts from the rocky slopes of the mountains in Lebanon. The cold streams that flow down from those distant mountains never [RHQ] cease flowing.
15 我的百姓竟忘记我， 向假神烧香， 使他们在所行的路上，在古道上绊跌， 使他们行没有修筑的斜路，
But my people [are not as reliable as those streams: ] They have abandoned me. They burn incense to [honor/worship] worthless idols. [It is as though] they have stumbled as they walked along very old roads that are good roads, and now, instead, they are walking on dirt paths.
16 以致他们的地令人惊骇， 常常嗤笑； 凡经过这地的必惊骇摇头。
Therefore, their land will become desolate, and people who see it will hiss [to ridicule it]. Everyone who passes by will be appalled; they will shake their heads [to show that they are shocked].
17 我必在仇敌面前分散他们， 好像用东风吹散一样。 遭难的日子，我必以背向他们， 不以面向他们。
I will scatter the people when their enemies [attack them] like dust is scattered by an east wind. And when they experience all those difficulties/disasters, I will turn my back on them [and refuse] to help them.”
18 他们就说：“来吧！我们可以设计谋害耶利米；因为我们有祭司讲律法，智慧人设谋略，先知说预言，都不能断绝。来吧！我们可以用舌头击打他，不要理会他的一切话。”
Then some of the people said, “Come, let’s plan to attack Jeremiah. We have [many] priests who teach us God’s laws, and wise men who give us good advice, and prophets who tell us [what will happen. We do not need Jeremiah!] So, let’s slander him and not pay attention to anything that he says.”
19 耶和华啊，求你理会我， 且听那些与我争竞之人的话。
[Then I prayed], “Yahweh, [please] listen to me! And listen to what my enemies are saying about me.
20 岂可以恶报善呢？ 他们竟挖坑要害我的性命！ 求你记念我怎样站在你面前为他们代求， 要使你的忿怒向他们转消。
I am doing things that are good, so it is disgusting that [RHQ] they are paying me back by doing evil [things to me]. [It is as though] they have dug a pit for me [to fall into] and die. Do not forget that [one time] I stood in front of you and pleaded for you [to help them], and I tried to prevent you from [punishing them] [MTY], even though you were very angry with them.
21 故此，愿你将他们的儿女交与饥荒和刀剑； 愿他们的妻无子，且作寡妇； 又愿他们的男人被死亡所灭， 他们的少年人在阵上被刀击杀。
So [now], allow their children to die from hunger! Or cause them to be killed by [their enemies’] swords! Cause their wives to become widows, whose children are all dead! Cause their [old] men to die in a plague, and cause their young men to be killed in battles!
22 你使敌军忽然临到他们的时候， 愿人听见哀声从他们的屋内发出； 因他们挖坑要捉拿我， 暗设网罗要绊我的脚。
Cause people to scream in their homes when enemy soldiers suddenly come into their houses! [Cause all those things to happen to them] because they [want to kill me]. [It is as though] they have dug a pit for me [to fall into], and they have hidden traps along my path.
23 耶和华啊，他们要杀我的那一切计谋， 你都知道。 不要赦免他们的罪孽， 也不要从你面前涂抹他们的罪恶， 要叫他们在你面前跌倒； 愿你发怒的时候罚办他们。
Yahweh, you know all the things that they are planning to do to kill me. Do not forgive them for their crimes or blot out [the record of] their sins. Cause them to be destroyed; punish them because of your being angry [with them]!”
