Mark 4
1 Another time Jesus began to teach [people] alongside Lake [Galilee. As he was doing that, a very large crowd gathered around him. Because people were jostling him], he got into a boat in the lake [so that he could speak to the crowd better. Then he sat in it and began to teach the crowd from the boat]. At the same time, the crowd was on the shore close to the lake.
耶穌又在海邊教訓人。有許多人到他那裏聚集，他只得上船坐下。船在海裏，眾人都靠近海，站在岸上。
2 Then he taught them many parables. While he was teaching them, he told them [this]:
耶穌就用比喻教訓他們許多道理。在教訓之間，對他們說：
3 “Consider [well the meaning of this illustration]: A man/farmer went out [to his field] to sow [some seeds].
「你們聽啊！有一個撒種的出去撒種。
4 As he was scattering them [over the soil], some [of the] seeds fell on the path. Then some birds came and ate those seeds.
撒的時候，有落在路旁的，飛鳥來吃盡了；
5 Other [seeds] fell on ground where there was not much soil [on top of] rock. Very soon the [seeds] sprouted because [the sun warmed] the moist soil quickly where it was not deep.
有落在土淺石頭地上的，土既不深，發苗最快，
6 But after the sun shone [on those young plants], they became scorched. Then they withered because they did not have [deep] roots.
日頭出來一曬，因為沒有根，就枯乾了；
7 As the farmer sowed, other [seeds] fell on [ground that contained roots of] thorny plants. [The] seeds [grew, but] the thorny plants also grew up and crowded out [the] good [plants. So the plants] produced no grain.
有落在荊棘裏的，荊棘長起來，把它 擠住了，就不結實；
8 But as the farmer sowed, other [seeds] fell on good soil. As a result, they sprouted, they grew well, and then they produced [plenty of] grain. [Some] plants bore 30 [grains]. [Some] bore 60 [grains]. [Some] bore 100 [grains].”
又有落在好土裏的，就發生長大，結實有三十倍的，有六十倍的，有一百倍的」；
9 Then Jesus said, “If you want to understand this [MTY], you should consider [carefully what I have just said].”
又說：「有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」
10 [Later], when only the twelve [disciples] and a few [other] people were with him, they asked him about the parables.
無人的時候，跟隨耶穌的人和十二個門徒問他這比喻的意思。
11 He said to them, “People have not understood before [the new message] about how God wants to rule people’s lives. It is to you that this is being made known {that I am making this known}. But I tell about this [only] (in parables/figuratively) to those who have not [yet invited God to rule their lives].
耶穌對他們說：「上帝國的奧祕只叫你們知道，若是對外人講，凡事就用比喻，
12 As a result [it is true what a prophet has written], Although they see [what I do], they do not perceive [what it means] [DOU]. Although they hear [what I say], they do not understand [what it means] [DOU]. So they do not (repent/turn away from their sinful behavior) in order that they would be forgiven {[God] would forgive them}.”
叫他們 看是看見，卻不曉得； 聽是聽見，卻不明白； 恐怕他們回轉過來，就得赦免。」
13 He also said to them, “([I am disappointed that] you do not understand this illustration!/Can you not understand this illustration?) [RHQ] [If you do not understand] this, (you will certainly not understand any of the [other] illustrations!/how will you understand any of the [other] illustrations?) [RHQ] [Nevertheless, I will explain it to you].
又對他們說：「你們不明白這比喻嗎？這樣怎能明白一切的比喻呢？
14 [In the illustration that I told you], the man who sows [seeds represents someone who] declares God’s message [DOU].
撒種之人所撒的就是道。
15 [Some people are like] the path on which [some of] the seeds fell. When they hear [the message], Satan comes at once and causes them to forget what they have heard.
那撒在路旁的，就是人聽了道，撒但立刻來，把撒在他心裏的道奪了去。
16 [Some people are like the ground where the soil was not very deep over] rock. When they hear [God’s] message, they immediately accept it with joy.
那撒在石頭地上的，就是人聽了道，立刻歡喜領受，
17 But, because [the message does not penetrate deeply] [MET] [into their hearts/inner beings, they] believe it for [only a short time. They are like the plants that] did not have deep roots. When others treat such people badly or cause them to suffer because [they believe], those people [who are suffering] soon stop believing God’s message.
但他心裏沒有根，不過是暫時的，及至為道遭了患難，或是受了逼迫，立刻就跌倒了。
18 [Some people are like] the [soil that had roots of] thorny weeds in it. [Although] those people hear [God’s] message,
還有那撒在荊棘裏的，就是人聽了道，
19 they desire to be rich, and they desire to own many other things. So they worry [only] about material things. The result is that they forget [God’s] message and they do not do [the things that God wants them to do]. (aiōn g165)
後來有世上的思慮、錢財的迷惑，和別樣的私慾進來，把道擠住了，就不能結實。 (aiōn g165)
20 [But some people] are like the good soil. They hear [God’s] message and they accept it [and they believe] it. [Then they do the things that God wants them to do. They are like the good plants that produced] 30, 60 or 100 [grains].”
那撒在好地上的，就是人聽道，又領受，並且結實，有三十倍的，有六十倍的，有一百倍的。」
21 He also told them [another parable], saying, “(People certainly do not [light] an oil lamp and then bring it [in the house] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} under a container or under a bed./Would anyone [light] an oil lamp and then bring it [in the house] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} under a container or under a bed?) [RHQ] (No, [they light it] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} in a place [where it lights the house].[/Wouldn’t they light it] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} in a place [where it lights the house]?) [RHQ]
耶穌又對他們說：「人拿燈來，豈是要放在斗底下，床底下，不放在燈臺上嗎？
22 [Similarly], there are some [parts of God’s message] that people do not know. [But he intends that] people will understand all the things that they do not know [now].
因為掩藏的事，沒有不顯出來的；隱瞞的事，沒有不露出來的。
23 If you want to understand this, you should consider [carefully] what you [have just heard].”
有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」
24 Then he said to them, “Consider carefully what you hear [me say to you], for [God] will let you [understand] to the same degree that you [consider what I say]. [He] will let you [understand] even more than that.
又說：「你們所聽的要留心。你們用甚麼量器量給人，也必用甚麼量器量給你們，並且要多給你們。
25 Those who [consider what I say] and understand it, [God] will enable them to understand more. But those who do not [consider carefully what I say], they will forget even what they already know.”
因為有的，還要給他；沒有的，連他所有的也要奪去。」
26 Jesus also said, “God [has the power to change] people who let him rule their lives. I [will illustrate how that can happen] [MET]. A man planted seeds in the ground.
又說：「上帝的國如同人把種撒在地上。
27 Afterwards he slept each night and rose each day [without worrying about the seeds]. [During that time] the seeds sprouted and grew in a way that he did not understand, because by itself the soil [caused the plants to grow and produce grain].
黑夜睡覺，白日起來，這種就發芽漸長，那人卻不曉得如何這樣。
28 First the stalks [appeared]. Then the heads [appeared]. Then the full kernels in the heads [appeared].
地生五穀是出於自然的：先發苗，後長穗，再後穗上結成飽滿的子粒；
29 As soon as the grain was ripe he sent [people] [MTY] to harvest it because it was time to harvest [the grain].”
穀既熟了，就用鐮刀去割，因為收成的時候到了。」
30 [Jesus told them] another [parable. He] said, “I will tell you [RHQ] how the [number of people] whose lives God rules in a new way [will continue to grow] (OR, each continue to have more and more influence in this world). I hope [RHQ] that this illustration will show this [to you].
又說：「上帝的國，我們可用甚麼比較呢？可用甚麼比喻表明呢？
31 [You know what happens to] mustard seeds when we plant them. Though mustard seeds are among the smallest of seeds, [here in Israel] they become large plants.
好像一粒芥菜種，種在地裏的時候，雖比地上的百種都小，
32 After they are planted, they grow up and become larger than the other garden plants. They put out big branches so that birds are able to make nests in their shade.”
但種上以後，就長起來，比各樣的菜都大，又長出大枝來，甚至天上的飛鳥可以宿在它 的蔭下。」
33 Jesus used many such illustrations when he talked to the people about God. If they were able to understand [some, he kept telling them more].
耶穌用許多這樣的比喻，照他們所能聽的，對他們講道。
34 He always used parables when he spoke to them. But he explained all [the illustrations] to his own disciples when he was alone with them.
若不用比喻，就不對他們講；沒有人的時候，就把一切的道講給門徒聽。
35 On that same day, when the sun was setting, Jesus said to [his disciples], “Let’s cross over to the opposite side of [Lake Galilee in the boat].”
當那天晚上，耶穌對門徒說：「我們渡到那邊去吧。」
36 So they left the crowd, [got in] the boat where Jesus [already] was, and left. [Other people] went with them in other boats.
門徒離開眾人，耶穌仍在船上，他們就把他一同帶去；也有別的船和他同行。
37 A strong wind came up and the waves started coming into the boat! The boat was soon nearly full [of water]!
忽然起了暴風，波浪打入船內，甚至船要滿了水。
38 Jesus was in the back part of the boat. He was sleeping, [with his head] on a cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! (You ought to be concerned that we are about to die!/Are you not concerned that we are about to die?) [RHQ]”
耶穌在船尾上，枕着枕頭睡覺。門徒叫醒了他，說：「夫子！我們喪命，你不顧嗎？」
39 So Jesus got up and rebuked the wind. Then he said to the lake, “Be quiet! Be still! [DOU]” The wind [immediately] blowing and then [the lake] became very calm.
耶穌醒了，斥責風，向海說：「住了吧！靜了吧！」風就止住，大大地平靜了。
40 He said to the disciples, “([I am disappointed that] you are afraid [like that]!/Why are you afraid [like that]?) [RHQ] Do you not yet believe [that I can protect you]?”
耶穌對他們說：「為甚麼膽怯？你們還沒有信心嗎？」
41 They were very awestruck. They said to one another, “[Not only do the demons obey this man, but] even the wind and the waves obey him! “(What kind of man is he?/This man is [not like ordinary] people!) [RHQ]”
他們就大大地懼怕，彼此說：「這到底是誰，連風和海也聽從他了。」
