耶利米書 18
1 耶和華的話臨到耶利米說：
The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying,
2 「你起來，下到窯匠的家裏去，我在那裏要使你聽我的話。」
“Arise and go out to the potter's house, for I will have you hear my word there.”
3 我就下到窯匠的家裏去，正遇他轉輪做器皿。
So I went out to the potter's house, and behold! The potter was working on the potter's wheel.
4 窯匠用泥做的器皿，在他手中做壞了，他又用這泥另做別的器皿；窯匠看怎樣好，就怎樣做。
But the object of clay that he was molding was ruined in his hand, so he changed his mind and made another object that seemed good in his eyes to do.
5 耶和華的話就臨到我說：
Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
6 「耶和華說：以色列家啊，我待你們，豈不能照這窯匠弄泥嗎？以色列家啊，泥在窯匠的手中怎樣，你們在我的手中也怎樣。
“Should I not be able to act like this potter with you, house of Israel?—this is Yahweh's declaration. Behold! Like clay in a potter's hand—that is how you are in my hand, house of Israel.
7 我何時論到一邦或一國說，要拔出、拆毀、毀壞；
At one moment, I may proclaim something about a nation or a kingdom, that I will drive it out, tear it down, or destroy it.
8 我所說的那一邦，若是轉意離開他們的惡，我就必後悔，不將我想要施行的災禍降與他們。
But if the nation about which I have made that proclamation turns from its evil, then I will relent from the disaster that I was planning to bring upon it.
9 我何時論到一邦或一國說，要建立、栽植；
At another moment, I may proclaim something about a nation or a kingdom, that I will build it up or plant it.
10 他們若行我眼中看為惡的事，不聽從我的話，我就必後悔，不將我所說的福氣賜給他們。
But if it does evil in my eyes by not listening to my voice, then I will stop the good that I had said I would do for them.
11 現在你要對猶大人和耶路撒冷的居民說：『耶和華如此說：我造出災禍攻擊你們，定意刑罰你們。你們各人當回頭離開所行的惡道，改正你們的行動作為。』
So now, speak to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and say, 'Yahweh says this: See, I am about to form disaster against you. I am about to devise a plan against you. Repent, each person from his wicked way, so your ways and your practices will bring good to you.'
12 「他們卻說：『這是枉然。我們要照自己的計謀去行。』各人隨自己頑梗的惡心做事。」
But they will say, 'This is no use. We will act according to our own plans. Each one of us will do what his evil, stubborn heart desires.'
13 所以，耶和華如此說： 你們且往各國訪問， 有誰聽見這樣的事？ 以色列民行了一件極可憎惡的事。
Therefore Yahweh says this, 'Ask the nations, who has ever heard of such a thing as this? The virgin Israel has committed a horrible act.
14 黎巴嫩的雪從田野的磐石上豈能斷絕呢？ 從遠處流下的涼水豈能乾涸呢？
Does the snow in Lebanon ever leave the rocky hills on its sides? Are the mountain streams coming from far away ever destroyed, those cold streams?
15 我的百姓竟忘記我， 向假神燒香， 使他們在所行的路上，在古道上絆跌， 使他們行沒有修築的斜路，
Yet my people have forgotten me. They have made offerings to useless idols and been made to stumble in their paths; they have left the ancient paths to walk lesser paths.
16 以致他們的地令人驚駭， 常常嗤笑； 凡經過這地的必驚駭搖頭。
Their land will become a horror, an object of everlasting hissing. Everyone who passes by her will shudder and shake his head.
17 我必在仇敵面前分散他們， 好像用東風吹散一樣。 遭難的日子，我必以背向他們， 不以面向他們。
I will scatter them before their enemies like an eastern wind. I will show them my back, and not my face, on the day of their disaster.'”
18 他們就說：「來吧！我們可以設計謀害耶利米；因為我們有祭司講律法，智慧人設謀略，先知說預言，都不能斷絕。來吧！我們可以用舌頭擊打他，不要理會他的一切話。」
So the people said, “Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, since the law will never perish from the priests, or advice from the wise men, or words from the prophets. Come, let us attack him with our words and no longer pay attention to anything he proclaims.”
19 耶和華啊，求你理會我， 且聽那些與我爭競之人的話。
Pay attention to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of my enemies.
20 豈可以惡報善呢？ 他們竟挖坑要害我的性命！ 求你記念我怎樣站在你面前為他們代求， 要使你的忿怒向他們轉消。
Will disaster from them really be my reward for being good to them? For they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before you to speak for their welfare, to cause your fury to turn away from them.
21 故此，願你將他們的兒女交與饑荒和刀劍； 願他們的妻無子，且作寡婦； 又願他們的男人被死亡所滅， 他們的少年人在陣上被刀擊殺。
Therefore give their children over to famine, and give them to the hands of those who use the sword. So let their women become bereaved and widows, and their men be killed, and their young men killed by the sword in battle.
22 你使敵軍忽然臨到他們的時候， 願人聽見哀聲從他們的屋內發出； 因他們挖坑要捉拿我， 暗設網羅要絆我的腳。
Let a distressed shout be heard from their houses, as you suddenly bring raiders against them. For they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden traps for my feet.
23 耶和華啊，他們要殺我的那一切計謀， 你都知道。 不要赦免他們的罪孽， 也不要從你面前塗抹他們的罪惡， 要叫他們在你面前跌倒； 願你發怒的時候罰辦他們。
But you, Yahweh, you know all of their plans against me to kill me. Do not forgive their iniquities and sins. Do not wipe their sins away from you. Instead, let them be overthrown before you. Act against them in the time of your wrath.
