Matthew 12
1 During that period of time, on a (Sabbath/Jewish day of rest), Jesus [and we] disciples were walking through some grain fields. And because we were hungry, we began to pick some of the heads of grain and eat them. [The laws of Moses permitted people to do that if they were hungry].
那時，耶穌在安息日從麥地經過。他的門徒餓了，就掐起麥穗來吃。
2 Some Pharisees saw us [do what they considered to be work]. So they said to Jesus, [accusing him], “Look! Your disciples are doing [work] that is not permitted [in our] laws [PRS] [for us] to do on our day of rest!”
法利賽人看見，就對耶穌說：「看哪，你的門徒做安息日不可做的事了！」
3 [Jesus wanted to show them that the record in the Scriptures indicated that God permitted people to disobey certain religious laws when they needed food]. [So] he said to them, “[It is written] {[Someone wrote]} [in the Scriptures] [RHQ] what [our revered ancestor King] David did when he and the men with him were hungry. You have read about that, ([but you do not think about what it implies!/so why do you not think about what it implies]?) [RHQ]
耶穌對他們說：「經上記着大衛和跟從他的人飢餓之時所做的事，你們沒有念過嗎？
4 David entered the big tent [where they worshipped] God [and asked for some food. The high priest gave him] the bread that had been {they had} presented [to God]. According to the laws [of Moses], only priests were permitted to eat that bread, but David and the men who were with him ate it. And [God did not consider that what they did was wrong]
他怎麼進了上帝的殿，吃了陳設餅，這餅不是他和跟從他的人可以吃得，惟獨祭司才可以吃。
5 Also, think about the laws that [Moses wrote] [RHQ]. He said that [even though] the priests, [by working] in the Temple on our Jewish day of rest, are not obeying the Jewish day of rest [laws], they are not guilty. You have surely read that, [but you do not understand what it means].
再者，律法上所記的，當安息日，祭司在殿裏犯了安息日還是沒有罪，你們沒有念過嗎？
6 Note this: [God allows men to work in] the Temple [on our rest day because that work must be done. But in addition, I] tell you that [I have] more [authority than the authority of] the Temple. So, it is more important for you to obey my teachings than to obey your traditions about our rest day.
但我告訴你們，在這裏有一人比殿更大。
7 [You should think about] these words [of God in the Scriptures]: ‘I want you to [act] mercifully toward people, and not [just] offer sacrifices.’ If you understood what that means, you would not condemn [my disciples], who have done no wrong.
『我喜愛憐恤，不喜愛祭祀。』你們若明白這話的意思，就不將無罪的當作有罪的了。
8 [And I want you to know that] I, the one who came from heaven, have [the] authority [to determine what is right for my disciples to do on] the days of rest.”
因為人子是安息日的主。」
9 After Jesus left there [that day], he went into a building where we Jews worship God.
耶穌離開那地方，進了一個會堂。
10 [He saw] a man with a shriveled hand there. [The Pharisees thought that Jesus would be disobeying the tradition about not working on the day of rest if he healed the man, so one of] them asked him, “Does [God] permit [us] to heal [people] on our day of rest?” [They asked that question] so that they might accuse him [if he healed someone] (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day).
那裏有一個人枯乾了一隻手。有人問耶穌說：「安息日治病可以不可以？」意思是要控告他。
11 He replied to them, “Would anyone among you who has [only] one sheep that falls into a hole (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day) [just leave it there] [RHQ]? [Certainly not]! You would take hold of it and lift it out right away, [and that would be acceptable work on our day of rest, too]
耶穌說：「你們中間誰有一隻羊，當安息日掉在坑裏，不把牠抓住、拉上來呢？
12 [Because] sheep are valuable, [their owners may work on our day of rest in order to rescue them. So, because] people are more valuable than sheep, it is certainly right for us to do something good [by healing another person any day, including] our day of rest!”
人比羊何等貴重呢！所以，在安息日做善事是可以的。」
13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your [withered] hand!” The man stretched it out, and it became normal like the other hand!
於是對那人說：「伸出手來！」他把手一伸，手就復了原，和那隻手一樣。
14 Then the Pharisees left [the meeting house. They were worried that the people would reject their traditions and would accept Jesus’ teaching instead. So] they met together to plan how they could kill him.
法利賽人出去，商議怎樣可以除滅耶穌。
15 Because Jesus knew [that the Pharisees were plotting to kill him], he [took us disciples and] went away from there. Crowds, [including many sick people], followed him, [wanting him to heal them], and he healed them all.
耶穌知道了，就離開那裏，有許多人跟着他。他把其中有病的人都治好了；
16 But he told them firmly that they should not tell [other people yet] who he was.
又囑咐他們，不要給他傳名。
17 [By acting humbly like that] he fulfilled what was written by Isaiah the prophet {what Isaiah the prophet wrote} [long ago about the Messiah]. [Isaiah wrote] that God said:
這是要應驗先知以賽亞的話，說：
18 Take note of my servant whom I have chosen, the one whom I love and with whom I am pleased. I will put my Spirit in him, and he will proclaim that [God] will judge the non-Jews justly.
看哪！我的僕人， 我所揀選、所親愛、心裏所喜悅的， 我要將我的靈賜給他； 他必將公理傳給外邦。
19 He will not quarrel [with people], neither will he shout. He will not [teach with] a loud voice in the [main] streets.
他不爭競，不喧嚷； 街上也沒有人聽見他的聲音。
20 Until he has justly judged [the people who trust in him and] has declared them not guilty, he will not destroy [anyone who is weak like] a smashed stalk [MET], nor will he silence [anyone who is as helpless as] a smoldering [linen] wick [MET, DOU].
壓傷的蘆葦，他不折斷； 將殘的燈火，他不吹滅； 等他施行公理，叫公理得勝。
21 As a result, the non-Jews will confidently expect [that he will do great things for them].
外邦人都要仰望他的名。
22 One day when Jesus was at home, [some men] brought to [Jesus] a man [who, because of being] controlled by a demon {a demon controlled him}, was blind and unable to speak. [Jesus] healed him [by expelling the demon]. As a result, the man [began to] talk and [was able to] see.
當下，有人將一個被鬼附着、又瞎又啞的人帶到耶穌那裏，耶穌就醫治他，甚至那啞巴又能說話，又能看見。
23 All the crowd [who saw it] marveled. They began asking [each other], “Could this man be the [Messiah, the] descendant of [King] David, [whom we have been expecting]?”
眾人都驚奇，說：「這不是大衛的子孫嗎？」
24 Because the Pharisees [and the men who taught the Jewish laws] heard [that the people thought that Jesus might be the Messiah because he had expelled the demon], they said, “[It is not God, but] Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, who enables [this man] to expel demons [from people!]”
但法利賽人聽見，就說：「這個人趕鬼，無非是靠着鬼王別西卜啊。」
25 But Jesus knew what [the Pharisees] were thinking [and saying]. So, [in order to show them that what they said did not make sense], he said to them, “If [the people in] [MTY] one nation fight against each other, [they] will destroy their nation {their nation will be destroyed}. If [people who live in] the same city or house fight each other, they will certainly not remain [as one group or family].
耶穌知道他們的意念，就對他們說：「凡一國自相紛爭，就成為荒場；一城一家自相紛爭，必站立不住；
26 [Similarly], if Satan were expelling his own [demons] [MTY], [it would be as though] he was fighting against himself. (His kingdom would not continue!/How could his kingdom continue?) [RHQ] His rule over them would [certainly] not last!
若撒但趕逐撒但，就是自相紛爭，他的國怎能站得住呢？
27 Furthermore, if [it is true that] Satan enables me to expel demons, is it also true that your disciples [who] expel demons [do so] by [Satan’s] power [RHQ]? [No] So they will show you that you [are not thinking logically].
我若靠着別西卜趕鬼，你們的子弟趕鬼又靠着誰呢？這樣，他們就要斷定你們的是非。
28 But because it is God’s Spirit who [enables] me to expel demons, [that proves that the power of] God to rule [people’s lives] has come to you.
我若靠着上帝的靈趕鬼，這就是上帝的國臨到你們了。
29 [I will illustrate why I am able to expel demons]. (A person cannot go into the house of a strong man) [RHQ] [But if he ties up the strong man], then he will be able to steal [the things in that man’s] house.
人怎能進壯士家裏，搶奪他的家具呢？除非先捆住那壯士，才可以搶奪他的家財。
30 [No one can be neutral]. Those who do not acknowledge [that the Holy Spirit enables] me [to expel demons] are opposing me, and those who do not gather [people to become] my [disciples] are causing [those people] to [DOU] go away [from me].
不與我相合的，就是敵我的；不同我收聚的，就是分散的。」
31 You [are saying that it is not the Holy Spirit who is enabling me to expel demons]. So I will say this to you: [If] those who offend and slander other people in any way are [then sorry and ask God to forgive them, God] will forgive them. But people who discredit what the Holy Spirit does will not be forgiven {[God] will not forgive [people] who discredit what the Holy Spirit does}.
所以我告訴你們：「人一切的罪和褻瀆的話都可得赦免，惟獨褻瀆聖靈，總不得赦免。
32 [God is willing to] forgive people who criticize [me], the One who came from heaven. But I [warn you that] those who say evil things about what the Holy Spirit [does] will not be forgiven {[God] will not forgive people who speak evil words about what the Holy Spirit [does]}. They will not be forgiven {[He] will not forgive them} now, and they will never be forgiven {[he] will never forgive them}.” (aiōn g165)
凡說話干犯人子的，還可得赦免；惟獨說話干犯聖靈的，今世來世總不得赦免。」 (aiōn g165)
33 “Think about this: You can know whether [a person is good and what that person says is good, in the same way that you] can know whether a tree [MET] and the fruit it produces [MET] are good. [You can also know whether a person and what that person says is evil in the same way that you can know] whether a tree [MET] and its fruit [MET] are blighted. You can know whether a tree is good by [seeing] its fruit, and similarly [people can know the evil character of you Pharisees by listening to your accusations against me].
「你們或以為樹好，果子也好；樹壞，果子也壞；因為看果子就可以知道樹。
34 [What] you [teach harms people spiritually like poisonous] snakes [harm them physically] [MET]! You are not able to speak good things because you are evil [RHQ]. Evil people [SYN] [like you] speak what comes from all that is in their (inner beings/hearts).
毒蛇的種類！你們既是惡人，怎能說出好話來呢？因為心裏所充滿的，口裏就說出來。
35 Good people [speak good things. That is like] taking good things out of buildings where they are stored. But evil people [speak evil things. That is like] taking evil things out of buildings where they are stored.
善人從他心裏所存的善就發出善來；惡人從他心裏所存的惡就發出惡來。
36 I tell you that on the day when God judges [MTY], he will make people recall every useless word they have spoken, [and he will judge them accordingly].
我又告訴你們，凡人所說的閒話，當審判的日子，必要句句供出來；
37 Based on the words that you have spoken, [God] will [either] declare that you are righteous based on the words that you have spoken, or [else] he will condemn you.”
因為要憑你的話定你為義，也要憑你的話定你有罪。」
38 Then some of the Pharisees and men who taught the [Jewish] laws responded [to what Jesus was teaching] by saying to him, “Teacher, we want to see you [perform] a miracle [that would prove to us that God sent you].”
當時，有幾個文士和法利賽人對耶穌說：「夫子，我們願意你顯個神蹟給我們看。」
39 Then Jesus said to them, “[You] people [have already seen me perform miracles], but you are evil, and you do not faithfully worship God [MET]! You want [me to perform] a miracle [that would prove to you that God sent me], but [God will enable] you to see only one miracle. It will be [like] what happened to Jonah the prophet [MET].
耶穌回答說：「一個邪惡淫亂的世代求看神蹟，除了先知約拿的神蹟以外，再沒有神蹟給他們看。
40 Jonah was in the stomach of a huge fish for three days and nights [before God caused him to live again]. Similarly, for three days and nights I, the one who came from heaven, will be in a place [where dead people are, and then God will cause me to live again].
約拿三日三夜在大魚肚腹中，人子也要這樣三日三夜在地裏頭。
41 When [God] judges [all people], the people who lived in Nineveh will stand [in front of him] with [you] people who [have seen me perform miracles]. The [people of Nineveh turned from their sinful ways as a result of hearing what] Jonah preached. [Jonah was important, but I], who am more important than Jonah, [have come and preached to you, but you have not turned from your sinful ways. So] when [God] judges [all people, he] will condemn you.
當審判的時候，尼尼微人要起來定這世代的罪，因為尼尼微人聽了約拿所傳的就悔改了。看哪，在這裏有一人比約拿更大！
42 The queen from [Sheba, South of Israel, who lived long ago, came from a distant region in order to listen to King Solomon teach] many wise things. But now [I], [a man] who [is much] greater [and wiser] than Solomon, am here, [but you have not listened to what I have told you]. So at the time when [God] judges [all people], the queen from [Sheba will stand in front of him, along] with you people, and will condemn you.”
當審判的時候，南方的女王要起來定這世代的罪； 因為她從地極而來，要聽所羅門的智慧話。看哪，在這裏有一人比所羅門更大！」
43 “[Sometimes] when an evil spirit leaves a person, it wanders around in desolate areas, seeking [someone in whom it can] rest. If it does not find anyone,
「污鬼離了人身，就在無水之地過來過去，尋求安歇之處，卻尋不着。
44 it says [to itself], ‘I will return to the person [MET] in whom I used to live.’ So it goes back [and finds that the Spirit of God is not in control of that] person’s [life. The person’s life is like] a house that has been swept clean and everything put in order [MET], [but it is] empty.
於是說：『我要回到我所出來的屋裏去。』到了，就看見裏面空閒，打掃乾淨，修飾好了，
45 Then [this evil spirit] goes and gets seven other spirits that are [even] more evil, and they [all] enter [that person] and [begin] living there. [So, although] that person’s condition [was bad] before, it becomes much worse. That is what [you] wicked people who [have heard me teach] will experience.”
便去另帶了七個比自己更惡的鬼來，都進去住在那裏。那人末後的景況比先前更不好了。這邪惡的世代也要如此。」
46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his [younger] brothers [arrived]. They stood outside [the house], wanting to speak with him.
耶穌還對眾人說話的時候，不料他母親和他弟兄站在外邊，要與他說話。
47 Someone said to him, “Your mother and your [younger] brothers are standing outside [the house], wanting to talk to you.”
有人告訴他說：「看哪，你母親和你弟兄站在外邊，要與你說話。」
48 Then Jesus said to the person who told him [that], “([I will tell you something about] my mother and brothers [MET].[/Do you know] who I [consider to be like] my mother and my brothers?)” [MET, RHQ]
他卻回答那人說：「誰是我的母親？誰是我的弟兄？」
49 He then pointed toward [us] disciples and said, “These are ones [whom I love as much as I love] my mother and my brothers [MET].
就伸手指着門徒，說：「看哪，我的母親，我的弟兄。
50 Those who do what [God] my Father [who is] in heaven wants, are [as dear to me] [MET] [as] my brother, my sister, or my mother.”
凡遵行我天父旨意的人，就是我的弟兄姊妹和母親了。」
