< Ephesians 4 >
1 I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called,
所以我在這主內為囚犯的懇求你們,行動務要與你們所受的寵召相稱,
2 With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
凡事要謙遜、溫和、忍耐,在愛德中彼此擔待,
3 Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
盡力以和平的聯繫,保持心神的合一,
4 One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling.
因為只有一個身體和一個聖神,正如你們蒙召,同有一個希望一樣。
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
只有一個主,一個信德,一個洗禮;
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.
只有一個天主和眾人之父,祂超越眾人,貫通眾人,且在眾人之內。
7 But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.
但我們各人所領受的恩寵,卻是按照基督賜恩的尺度。
8 Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive; he gave gifts to men.
為此經上說:『祂帶領俘虜,升上高天,且把恩惠賜與人。』
9 Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
說祂上升了,豈不是說祂曾下降到地下嗎﹖
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
那下降的,正是上升超乎諸之上,以充滿萬有的那一位,
11 And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors,
就是祂賜與這些人作宗徒,那些人作先知,有的作傳福音者,有的作司牧和教師,
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
為成全聖徒,使之各盡其職;為建樹基督的身體,
13 Until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ;
直到我們眾人都達到對於天主子,有有一致的信仰和認識,成為成年人,達到基督圓滿年齡的程度;
14 That henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive.
使我們不再作小孩子,為各種教義之風所飄盪,所捲去,而中了人的陰謀,陷於入荒謬的詭計;
15 But doing the truth in charity, we may in all things grow up in him who is the head, even Christ:
反而在愛德中持守真理,在各方面長進,而歸於那為元首的基督,
16 From whom the whole body, being compacted and fitly joined together, by what every joint supplieth, according to the operation in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in charity.
本著祂,全身都結構緊湊,藉著各關節的互相補助,按照各肢體的功用,各盡其職,使身體不斷增長,在愛德中將它建立起來。
17 This then I say and testify in the Lord: That henceforward you walk not as also the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind,
為此我說,且在主內苦勸你們,生活不要再像外邦人,順隨自己的虛妄思念而生活;
18 Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts.
他們的理智受了蒙蔽,因著他們的無知和固執,與天主的生命隔絕了。
19 Who despairing, have given themselves up to lasciviousness, unto the working of all uncleanness, unto the working of all uncleanness, unto covetousness.
這樣的人既已麻木,便縱情恣慾,貪行各種不潔。
20 But you have not so learned Christ;
但你們卻不是這樣學了基督。
21 If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus:
如果你們真聽過祂,按照在耶穌內的真理,在祂內受過教,
22 To put off, according to former conversation, the old man, who is corrupted according to the desire of error.
就該脫去你們照從前生活的舊人,就是因順從享樂的慾念而敗壞的舊人,
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind:
應在心思念慮上大改換一新,
24 And put on the new man, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth.
穿上新人,就是按天主的肖像所造,具有真實的正義和聖善的新人。
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak; ye the truth every man with his neighbour; for we are members one of another.
為此,你們應該戒絕謊言,彼此應該說實話,因為我們彼此都是一身的肢體。
26 Be angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger.
『你們縱然動怒,但是不可犯罪;』不可讓太陽在你們含怒時西落,
27 Give not place to the devil.
也不可給魔鬼留有餘地。
28 He that stole, let him now steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.
那以前偷竊的,不要再偷竊,卻更要勞苦,親手賺取正當的利潤,好能賙濟貧乏的人。
29 Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth; but that which is good, to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers.
一切壞話都不可出於你們的口;但看事情的需要,說造就人的話,叫聽眾獲得益處。
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God: whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
你們不要叫天主的聖神憂鬱,因為你們是在祂內受了印證,以待得救的日子。
31 Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blasphemy, be put away from you, with all malice.
一切毒辣、怨恨、忿怒、爭吵、毀謗以及弓切邪惡,都要從你們中除掉;
32 And be ye kind one to another; merciful, forgiving one another, even as God hath forgiven you in Christ.
彼此相待,要良善,要仁慈,互相寬恕,如同天主在基督內寬恕了你們一樣。