< 2 Corinthians 12 >
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
必須誇耀──固然無益──我就來說說主的顯現和啟示。
2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.
我知道有一個在基督內的人,十四年前,被提到二層天上去──或在身內,我不知道或在身外,我也不知道,惟天主知道──
3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows),
我知道這人──或在身內,或在身外外,我不知道──天主知道──
4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
他被提到樂園裏去,聽到了不可言傳的話,是人不能說出的。
5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
對這樣的人,我要誇耀;但為我自己,除了我的軟弱外,我沒有可誇耀火。
6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me or hears from me.
其實,既使我願意誇耀,我也不算是狂妄,因為我說的是實話;但是我絕口不談,免得有人估計我,超了他在我身上所見到的,或由我所聽到的。
7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
免得我因那高超的啟示而過於高舉我自己,故在身體上給了我一根刺,就是撒殫的使者來拳擊我,免得我過於高舉我自己。
8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
關於這事,我曾三次求主使它脫離我;
9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
但主對我說:「有我的恩寵為你夠了,因為我的德能在軟弱中才全顯出來。」所以我甘 心情願誇耀我的軟弱,好叫基督的德能常在我身上。
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
為此,我為基督的緣故,喜歡在軟弱中,在淩辱中,在艱難中,在迫害中,在困苦中,因為我幾軟弱,正是我有能力的時候。
11 I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
我成了狂妄的人,那是你們逼我的。本來我該受 的褒揚,因為縱然我不算什麼,卻一點也不在那些超等的宗徒以下。
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
宗徒的記號,也在你們中間,以各種的堅忍,藉著徵兆、奇蹟和異能,真正實現了;
13 For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
其實除了我本人沒有連累過你們這件事外,你們有什麼不及別的教會之處呢﹖關於這個委曲,你們寬恕我罷!
14 Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
看,這已是第三次我預備好,到那裏去,我還是不連累你們,因為我所求的不是你們的東西,而你們自己;原來不是兒女應為父母積蓄,而是父母該為兒女積蓄。
15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
至於我,我甘心情願為的靈魂付出一切,並將我自己也完全耗盡;難道我越多愛你們,就該少得你們的愛嗎﹖
16 Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception.
是啊! 我沒有連累過你們,但我是出於狡滑,以詭計詐取了你們。
17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you?
在我所打發到你們那裏去的人中,難道我曾藉著其中的一位,詐取了你們的便宜嗎﹖
18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?
我曾請戈支了弟鐸,並打發了一位弟兄同去;難道弟鐸佔過你們的便宜嗎﹖我們行動來往,不具有一樣的心神,一樣的步伐嗎﹖
19 Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
到如今你們以為我是向你們申辯罷! 其實我們是在基督內當著天主的面說話;這一切,親愛的,都是為建樹你們,
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,
因為我怕我來到的時候,你們也見我不合於我所想望的,你們也見於我石合於所想望的:就是怕有爭端、嫉妒、憤怒、分裂、毀謗、挑唆、自大、紛亂;
21 that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.
又怕我到的時候,我的天主再使我在你們前受委曲,為那許多從前犯了罪而不悔改他們所習行的不潔、淫亂和放蕩的人而慟哭。