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Read: Job 2:1–10 | Bible in a Year: Ecclesiastes 10–12; Galatians 1
阅读: 约伯记章-节 | 全年读经进度: 传道书10-12章;加拉太书1章
Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? Job 2:10
难道我们从上帝手里得福,不也受祸吗?-约伯记2章10节
When our toddler first bit into a lemon wedge, he wrinkled his nose, stuck out his tongue, and squeezed his eyes shut. “Sow-wah,” he said (sour).
孩子在学步时,首次尝到柠檬的滋味,他咬了一口柠檬片,皱起鼻子、伸出舌头,眯着眼睛说:“酸酸!”
I chuckled as I reached for the piece of fruit, intending to toss it into the trash.“No!” Xavier scampered across the kitchen to get away from me. “Moe-wah!” (more). His lips puckered with every juice-squirting bite. I winced when he finally handed me the rind and walked away.
我不禁莞尔,伸手拿起柠檬片,打算扔进垃圾桶。“不要!”他摇摇摆摆地抓着柠檬片跑出厨房,不让我把它丢了。“还要!”他噘起嘴唇,吸吮汁液四溅的柠檬片。最后,他终于把干瘪的果皮拿给我,那股酸味让我不禁皱眉。
My taste buds accurately reflect my partiality to the sweet moments in life. My preference for avoiding all things bitter reminds me of Job’s wife, who seems to have shared my aversion to the sourness of suffering.
其实,我的味蕾恰恰反映出我对生命中甜蜜时光的偏好。我会尽量避开所有带着苦味的事物,这让我想起约伯的妻子,她似乎与我一样,逃避苦难的酸楚滋味。
Job surely didn’t delight in hardship or trouble, yet he honored God through heart-wrenching circumstances (Job 1:1–22). When painful sores afflicted Job’s body, he endured the agony (2:7–8). His wife told him to give up on God (v. 9), but Job responded by trusting the Lord through suffering and afflictions (v. 10).
约伯当然不喜欢深陷苦难,但是他在锥心刺骨的痛苦中,仍然荣耀上帝(约伯记1章1-22节)。当约伯的身体饱受毒疮的折磨时,他忍受煎熬(2章7-8节)。约伯的妻子叫他弃绝上帝(9节),但他的回应却是坚定信靠上帝走过一切苦难与痛楚(10节)。
It’s natural to prefer avoiding the bitter bites in life. We can even be tempted to lash out at God when we’re hurting. But the Lord uses trials, teaching us how to trust Him, depend on Him, and surrender to Him as He enables us to persevere through difficult times. And like Job, we don’t have to enjoy suffering to learn to savor the unexpected sweetness of sour moments—the divine strengthening of our faith.
通常谁都不想尝到人生的痛苦滋味。我们在受到伤害时,甚至会责怪上帝。但上帝使用试炼教导我们信靠祂、倚靠祂、顺服祂,还加力量使我们能够坚忍度过艰难。正如约伯一样,我们不需要喜欢苦难,但上帝会坚固我们的信心,让我们能在苦难中,学会品尝辛酸里意想不到的甜美。
Thank You for assuring us that suffering is never wasted when we place our confidence in who You are, what You’ve done, and what You’re capable of doing.
天父,谢谢祢!当我们相信祢,相信祢的救赎,
相信祢能行做万事,便能确知所受的苦难绝非徒然。
God uses suffering to strengthen our faith.
By Xochitl Dixon | See Other Authors
上帝用苦难坚定我们的信心。
作者: 邓书琪 | 其他作者
In the ancient story of Job, we see a devout follower of God whose life has been laid bare by financial, family, and physical suffering. The book of Job asks the perennial question, “Why do the righteous suffer?” Job’s ordeals test his devotion to his Redeemer and Provider. Clearly the book shows how God uses suffering to strengthen believers’ faith and refine their character. Job declares, “But [God] knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).
Has God used a trial in your life to refine your character and strengthen your faith?
从旧约约伯的经历中,我们看到一个相信上帝的虔诚人,却接连失去财产、儿女和健康,以致似乎一无所有。约伯记提出了自古以来就悬而未决的问题:“义人为什么受苦?”事实上,约伯所受的试炼,正是考验他是否相信上帝就是他的救赎者和供应者。显然,这卷书让我们看到上帝如何用苦难来坚固信徒的信心,并锻造他们的品格。约伯宣称:“然而[上帝]知道我所行的路,祂试炼我之后,我必如精金。”(约伯记23章10节)
上帝可曾用试炼来锻造你的品格,并坚固你的信心呢?
2 On another day the angels[a] came to present themselves before theLord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity,though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones,and he will surely curse you to your face.”
6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish[b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
约伯之三友
2 又有一天,神的众子来侍立在耶和华面前,撒旦也来在其中。 2 耶和华问撒旦说:“你从哪里来?”撒旦回答说:“我从地上走来走去,往返而来。” 3 耶和华问撒旦说:“你曾用心察看我的仆人约伯没有?地上再没有人像他完全、正直,敬畏神,远离恶事。你虽激动我攻击他,无故地毁灭他,他仍然持守他的纯正。” 4 撒旦回答耶和华说:“人以皮代皮,情愿舍去一切所有的,保全性命。 5 你且伸手伤他的骨头和他的肉,他必当面弃掉你。” 6 耶和华对撒旦说:“他在你手中,只要存留他的性命。” 7 于是撒旦从耶和华面前退去,击打约伯,使他从脚掌到头顶长毒疮。 8 约伯就坐在炉灰中,拿瓦片刮身体。 9 他的妻子对他说:“你仍然持守你的纯正吗?你弃掉神,死了吧!” 10 约伯却对她说:“你说话像愚顽的妇人一样。哎!难道我们从神手里得福,不也受祸吗?”在这一切的事上,约伯并不以口犯罪。
10 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even as fools walk along the road,
they lack sense
and show everyone how stupid they are.
4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you,
do not leave your post;
calmness can lay great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6 Fools are put in many high positions,
while the rich occupy the low ones.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;
whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 If the ax is dull
and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
but skill will bring success.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed,
the charmer receives no fee.
12 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,
but fools are consumed by their own lips.
13 At the beginning their words are folly;
at the end they are wicked madness—
14 and fools multiply words.
No one knows what is coming—
who can tell someone else what will happen after them?
15 The toil of fools wearies them;
they do not know the way to town.
16 Woe to the land whose king was a servant[a]
and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
and whose princes eat at a proper time—
for strength and not for drunkenness.
18 Through laziness, the rafters sag;
because of idle hands, the house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter,
wine makes life merry,
and money is the answer for everything.
20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words,
and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
11 Ship your grain across the sea;
after many days you may receive a return.
2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
3 If clouds are full of water,
they pour rain on the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed[b] in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.
6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well.
7 Light is sweet,
and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
8 However many years anyone may live,
let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember the days of darkness,
for there will be many.
Everything to come is meaningless.
9 You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you into judgment.
10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.
12 Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint;
5 when people are afraid of heights
and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags itself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.[c]
“Everything is meaningless!”
9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.[d] 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
10 死苍蝇使做香的膏油发出臭气,这样,一点愚昧也能败坏智慧和尊荣。 2 智慧人的心居右,愚昧人的心居左。 3 并且愚昧人行路显出无知,对众人说他是愚昧人。 4 掌权者的心若向你发怒,不要离开你的本位,因为柔和能免大过。
5 我见日光之下有一件祸患,似乎出于掌权的错误, 6 就是愚昧人立在高位,富足人坐在低位。 7 我见过仆人骑马,王子像仆人在地上步行。
8 挖陷坑的自己必掉在其中,拆墙垣的必为蛇所咬。 9 凿开[a]石头的必受损伤,劈开木头的必遭危险。 10 铁器钝了,若不将刃磨快,就必多费气力,但得智慧指教便有益处。 11 未行法术以先蛇若咬人,后行法术也是无益。
12 智慧人的口说出恩言,愚昧人的嘴吞灭自己。 13 他口中的言语起头是愚昧,他话的末尾是奸恶的狂妄。 14 愚昧人多有言语,人却不知将来有什么事,他身后的事谁能告诉他呢? 15 凡愚昧人,他的劳碌使自己困乏,因为连进城的路他也不知道。
16 邦国啊,你的王若是孩童,你的群臣早晨宴乐,你就有祸了! 17 邦国啊,你的王若是贵胄之子,你的群臣按时吃喝,为要补力,不为酒醉,你就有福了!
18 因人懒惰,房顶塌下;因人手懒,房屋滴漏。 19 设摆筵席是为喜笑,酒能使人快活,钱能叫万事应心。 20 你不可咒诅君王,也不可心怀此念,在你卧房也不可咒诅富户。因为空中的鸟必传扬这声音,有翅膀的也必述说这事。
11 当将你的粮食撒在水面,因为日久必能得着。 2 你要分给七人或分给八人,因为你不知道将来有什么灾祸临到地上。 3 云若满了雨,就必倾倒在地上;树若向南倒或向北倒,树倒在何处,就存在何处。 4 看风的必不撒种,望云的必不收割。5 风从何道来,骨头在怀孕妇人的胎中如何长成,你尚且不得知道,这样,行万事之神的作为,你更不得知道。 6 早晨要撒你的种,晚上也不要歇你的手,因为你不知道那一样发旺,或是早撒的,或是晚撒的,或是两样都好。 7 光本是佳美的,眼见日光也是可悦的。 8 人活多年,就当快乐多年。然而也当想到黑暗的日子,因为这日子必多,所要来的都是虚空。
9 少年人哪,你在幼年时当快乐,在幼年的日子使你的心欢畅。行你心所愿行的,看你眼所爱看的,却要知道,为这一切的事神必审问你。 10 所以你当从心中除掉愁烦,从肉体克去邪恶,因为一生的开端和幼年之时,都是虚空的。
12 你趁着年幼,衰败的日子尚未来到,就是你所说“我毫无喜乐”的那些年日未曾临近之先,当记念造你的主。 2 不要等到日头、光明、月亮、星宿变为黑暗,雨后云彩返回。 3 看守房屋的发颤,有力的屈身,推磨的稀少就止息,从窗户往外看的都昏暗。 4 街门关闭,推磨的响声微小,雀鸟一叫人就起来,歌唱的女子也都衰微。5 人怕高处,路上有惊慌,杏树开花,蚱蜢成为重担,人所愿的也都废掉。因为人归他永远的家,吊丧的在街上往来。 6 银链折断,金罐破裂,瓶子在泉旁损坏,水轮在井口破烂, 7 尘土仍归于地,灵仍归于赐灵的神。 8 传道者说:虚空的虚空,凡事都是虚空。
9 再者,传道者因有智慧,仍将知识教训众人,又默想,又考查,又陈说许多箴言。10 传道者专心寻求可喜悦的言语,是凭正直写的诚实话。
11 智慧人的言语好像刺棍,会中之师的言语又像钉稳的钉子,都是一个牧者所赐的。 12 我儿,还有一层你当受劝诫:著书多,没有穷尽;读书多,身体疲倦。
13 这些事都已听见了,总意就是敬畏神,谨守他的诫命,这是人所当尽的本分[b]。14 因为人所做的事,连一切隐藏的事,无论是善是恶,神都必审问。
整理:于姊妹
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