第126篇 至關重要的兩年

Paper 126 The Two Crucial Years
第126篇 至關重要的兩年

126:0.1 (1386.1) OF ALL Jesus’ earth-life experiences, the fourteenth and fifteenth years were the most crucial. These two years, after he began to be self-conscious of divinity and destiny, and before he achieved a large measure of communication with his indwelling Adjuster, were the most trying of his eventful life on Urantia. It is this period of two years which should be called the great test, the real temptation. No human youth, in passing through the early confusions and adjustment problems of adolescence, ever experienced a more crucial testing than that which Jesus passed through during his transition from childhood to young manhood.

126:0.1 (1386.1) 在耶穌的所有世上生活經歷中,第十四年和十五年是最為至關重要的。在他開始自我意識到對神性和天命之後,以及在他實現與他內駐調整者大量交流之前,這兩年是他在玉苒廈多采多姿生活中最為艱難的。正是這兩年的時期應被稱為大考驗,真正的誘惑。在經歷青少年時期的早期困惑和調整問題時,耶穌從童年到青年過渡期間所經歷的關鍵考驗,是沒有任何人類年輕人的經歷能相比擬的。

126:0.2 (1386.2) This important period in Jesus’ youthful development began with the conclusion of the Jerusalem visit and with his return to Nazareth. At first Mary was happy in the thought that she had her boy back once more, that Jesus had returned home to be a dutiful son—not that he was ever anything else—and that he would henceforth be more responsive to her plans for his future life. But she was not for long to bask in this sunshine of maternal delusion and unrecognized family pride; very soon she was to be more completely disillusioned. More and more the boy was in the company of his father; less and less did he come to her with his problems, while increasingly both his parents failed to comprehend his frequent alternation between the affairs of this world and the contemplation of his relation to his Father’s business. Frankly, they did not understand him, but they did truly love him.

126:0.2 (1386.2) 耶穌年輕發展的這一重要時期始於耶路撒冷之行的結束和他返回拿撒勒。起初瑪利亞高興地認為她的孩子再次回來了,認為耶穌回到家成為一個順從的兒子——不是說他曾經不順從——而且從此以後他將更積極地回應她對於他未來生活的計劃。但她沈浸在這種母親的錯覺和未被認可的家族自豪之歡樂中並沒有多久;很快,她將更加完全地感到幻滅。這個男孩越來越常地在他父親的陪伴之下;他越來越少向她提問,與此同時,他的父母越來越無法理解他在這個世界的事務以及思考他與他「父」的事業關係間的頻繁交替。坦白說,他們並不理解他,但他們確實真的愛他。

126:0.3 (1386.3) As he grew older, Jesus’ pity and love for the Jewish people deepened, but with the passing years, there developed in his mind a growing righteous resentment of the presence in the Father’s temple of the politically appointed priests. Jesus had great respect for the sincere Pharisees and the honest scribes, but he held the hypocritical Pharisees and the dishonest theologians in great contempt; he looked with disdain upon all those religious leaders who were not sincere. When he scrutinized the leadership of Israel, he was sometimes tempted to look with favor on the possibility of his becoming the Messiah of Jewish expectation, but he never yielded to such a temptation.

126:0.3 (1386.3) 隨著年齡的增長,耶穌對猶太人的同情和愛越來越深,但隨著歲月流逝,他心中發展出了一種對於出現在「父」的聖殿中受政治任命的祭司越來越強烈的的義憤。耶穌對真誠的法利賽人和誠實的文士有著極大的尊敬,但他對虛偽的法利賽人和不誠實的神學家極為輕視;他輕蔑看待所有那些不真誠的宗教領袖。當他仔細審視以色列的領導階層時,他有時很想看好他成為猶太人所期望的彌賽亞的可能性,但他卻從未屈服於這樣的誘惑。

126:0.4 (1386.4) The story of his exploits among the wise men of the temple in Jerusalem was gratifying to all Nazareth, especially to his former teachers in the synagogue school. For a time his praise was on everybody’s lips. All the village recounted his childhood wisdom and praiseworthy conduct and predicted that he was destined to become a great leader in Israel; at last a really great teacher was to come out of Nazareth in Galilee. And they all looked forward to the time when he would be fifteen years of age so that he might be permitted regularly to read the Scriptures in the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

126:0.4 (1386.4) 他在耶路撒冷與聖殿智者們間的英勇事蹟的故事,令整個拿撒勒感到欣喜,尤其是他先前猶太會堂學校的老師們。有一段時間,人人都在讚美他。全村都在講述他的童年智慧和值得讚美的行為,並預測他註定會成為以色列的偉大的領導者;終於,一個真正偉大的導師將會出自加利利的拿撒勒。他們都盼望著他十五歲的時候,這樣他就可能被允許在安息日定期在猶太會堂裡朗讀「經文」。

1. His Fourteenth Year (A.D. 8)
1. 他的第十四年(西元8年)

126:1.1 (1387.1) This is the calendar year of his fourteenth birthday. He had become a good yoke maker and worked well with both canvas and leather. He was also rapidly developing into an expert carpenter and cabinetmaker. This summer he made frequent trips to the top of the hill to the northwest of Nazareth for prayer and meditation. He was gradually becoming more self-conscious of the nature of his bestowal on earth.

126:1.1 (1387.1) 這是他第十四個生日的日曆年。他已成為一個優秀的軛具製造者,並對帆布和皮革很拿手。他還快速發展成為一個熟練的木匠和櫥櫃製造者。這個夏天,他經常前往拿撒勒西北部的山頂進行祈禱和冥想。他對於他在世上贈與的本質逐漸變得更為自覺。

126:1.2 (1387.2) This hill, a little more than one hundred years previously, had been the “high place of Baal,” and now it was the site of the tomb of Simeon, a reputed holy man of Israel. From the summit of this hill of Simeon, Jesus looked out over Nazareth and the surrounding country. He would gaze upon Megiddo and recall the story of the Egyptian army winning its first great victory in Asia; and how, later on, another such army defeated the Judean king Josiah. Not far away he could look upon Taanach, where Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera. In the distance he could view the hills of Dothan, where he had been taught Joseph’s brethren sold him into Egyptian slavery. He then would shift his gaze over to Ebal and Gerizim and recount to himself the traditions of Abraham, Jacob, and Abimelech. And thus he recalled and turned over in his mind the historic and traditional events of his father Joseph’s people.

125:1.2 (1378.4) 但最重要的是,當看到輕佻的煙花女子在這聖殿區域中招搖而行,就像他最近訪問塞弗瑞斯所看到的那些塗脂抹粉的女人一樣時,他的禮儀感遭受冒犯。這種對聖殿的褻瀆完全激起了所有他的年輕憤慨,他毫不猶豫向約瑟夫坦率地表達自己的看法。

126:1.3 (1387.3) He continued to carry on his advanced courses of reading under the synagogue teachers, and he also continued with the home education of his brothers and sisters as they grew up to suitable ages.

126:1.3 (1387.3) 他繼續在猶太會堂老師的指導下持續他的高級閱讀課程,隨著他弟弟妹妹們長大到適當年齡,他也繼續著對他們的家庭教育。

126:1.4 (1387.4) Early this year Joseph arranged to set aside the income from his Nazareth and Capernaum property to pay for Jesus’ long course of study at Jerusalem, it having been planned that he should go to Jerusalem in August of the following year when he would be fifteen years of age.

126:1.4 (1387.4) 這年年初,約瑟夫安排好撥出他拿撒勒和迦百農財產中的收益來支付耶穌在耶路撒冷長期學習的課程,按照計劃,他應在接下一年的八月前往耶路撒冷,那時他將十五歲。

126:1.5 (1387.5) By the beginning of this year both Joseph and Mary entertained frequent doubts about the destiny of their first-born son. He was indeed a brilliant and lovable child, but he was so difficult to understand, so hard to fathom, and again, nothing extraordinary or miraculous ever happened. Scores of times had his proud mother stood in breathless anticipation, expecting to see her son engage in some superhuman or miraculous performance, but always were her hopes dashed down in cruel disappointment. And all this was discouraging, even disheartening. The devout people of those days truly believed that prophets and men of promise always demonstrated their calling and established their divine authority by performing miracles and working wonders. But Jesus did none of these things; wherefore was the confusion of his parents steadily increased as they contemplated his future.

126:1.5 (1387.5) 到了今年年初,約瑟夫和瑪利亞都經常對他們長子的天命持有懷疑。他的確是一個聰明可愛的孩子,但他是如此難以理解,難以捉摸,再者,沒有任何非凡和奇跡之事曾發生過。許多次他驕傲的母親屏息以待,期待看到他兒子從事某種超人類或是奇跡般的表現,但她的希望總是在殘酷的失望中破滅。所有這一切是令人沮喪的,甚至是令人灰心的。當時虔誠的人們真正相信,先知和應許之人總是會透過表現神蹟和創造奇蹟,來彰顯他們的召喚和確立他們的神聖權威。但耶穌沒有做任何這些事;因此,他的父母在考慮他的未來時,他們的困惑與日俱增。

126:1.6 (1387.6) The improved economic condition of the Nazareth family was reflected in many ways about the home and especially in the increased number of smooth white boards which were used as writing slates, the writing being done with charcoal. Jesus was also permitted to resume his music lessons; he was very fond of playing the harp.

126:1.6 (1387.6) 這個拿撒勒家庭經濟狀況的改善,反映在家中的許多方面,尤其是用作書寫板的光滑白板數量的漸增,而書寫是用木炭完成。耶穌也被允許恢復他的音樂課程;他非常喜愛彈奏豎琴。

126:1.7 (1387.7) Throughout this year it can truly be said that Jesus “grew in favor with man and with God.” The prospects of the family seemed good; the future was bright.

126:1.7 (1387.7) 在這一整年裡,可以真正說耶穌「在人和神的喜愛中成長。」這個家庭的前景看似很好;未來一片光明。

2. The Death of Joseph
2. 約瑟夫之死

126:2.1 (1388.1) All did go well until that fateful day of Tuesday, September 25, when a runner from Sepphoris brought to this Nazareth home the tragic news that Joseph had been severely injured by the falling of a derrick while at work on the governor’s residence. The messenger from Sepphoris had stopped at the shop on the way to Joseph’s home, informing Jesus of his father’s accident, and they went together to the house to break the sad news to Mary. Jesus desired to go immediately to his father, but Mary would hear to nothing but that she must hasten to her husband’s side. She directed that James, then ten years of age, should accompany her to Sepphoris while Jesus remained home with the younger children until she should return, as she did not know how seriously Joseph had been injured. But Joseph died of his injuries before Mary arrived. They brought him to Nazareth, and on the following day he was laid to rest with his fathers.

126:2.1 (1388.1) 一切都進展得很順利,直到9月25日星期二那災難性的一天,一個來自塞弗瑞斯的信差帶給這個拿撒勒家庭一個悲慘的消息,約瑟夫在州長官邸工作時因起重機的倒塌而嚴重受傷。這個來自塞弗瑞斯的信使在前往約瑟夫家的路上停在工作坊,告知了耶穌他父親的意外事故,他們一起回家將這個悲傷的消息告訴瑪利亞。耶穌渴望立即去見他父親,但瑪利亞什麼都聽不進去,只說她必須趕往她丈夫身邊。她指示當時十歲的詹姆斯應陪伴她前往塞弗瑞斯,而耶穌則與年幼的孩子留在家裡直到她返回,因為她並不知道約瑟夫傷得有多嚴重。但約瑟夫在瑪利亞抵達前就因傷勢過重去世了。他們將他帶回拿撒勒,第二天,他就與他的祖先們安葬在一起。

126:2.2 (1388.2) Just at the time when prospects were good and the future looked bright, an apparently cruel hand struck down the head of this Nazareth household, the affairs of this home were disrupted, and every plan for Jesus and his future education was demolished. This carpenter lad, now just past fourteen years of age, awakened to the realization that he had not only to fulfill the commission of his heavenly Father to reveal the divine nature on earth and in the flesh, but that his young human nature must also shoulder the responsibility of caring for his widowed mother and seven brothers and sisters—and another yet to be born. This lad of Nazareth now became the sole support and comfort of this so suddenly bereaved family. Thus were permitted those occurrences of the natural order of events on Urantia which would force this young man of destiny so early to assume these heavy but highly educational and disciplinary responsibilities attendant upon becoming the head of a human family, of becoming father to his own brothers and sisters, of supporting and protecting his mother, of functioning as guardian of his father’s home, the only home he was to know while on this world.

126:2.2 (1388.2) 就在前景看好、未來一片光明的時候,一隻看似殘酷的手擊倒了這個拿撒勒家庭的一家之主,這個家庭的事務都被打斷了,每個為了耶穌和他未來教育的計劃都被破壞了。這個現在剛過十四歲的木匠小男孩,意識到他不僅要履行他天父的委託,在人世間以肉身啟示神的本性,而且他年輕的人類本性也必須肩負起照顧他喪偶母親和七個弟弟妹妹的責任,而且還有一個尚未出生。這個拿撒勒的小男孩現在成了這個突然喪失親人家庭的唯一支持和安慰。因此,在玉苒廈上那些自然規律事件的發生是被允許的,這將會迫使這個年輕的天命之人,如此早地承擔起這些伴隨著成為人類家庭的一家之主而來的沉重卻又高度有教育和紀律的責任,成為他自己弟弟妹妹的父親,支持和保護他的母親,作為他父親的家­­——他在這個世界上唯一會知道的家——的守護者。

126:2.3 (1388.3) Jesus cheerfully accepted the responsibilities so suddenly thrust upon him, and he carried them faithfully to the end. At least one great problem and anticipated difficulty in his life had been tragically solved—he would not now be expected to go to Jerusalem to study under the rabbis. It remained always true that Jesus “sat at no man’s feet.” He was ever willing to learn from even the humblest of little children, but he never derived authority to teach truth from human sources.

126:2.3 (1388.3) 耶穌欣然地接受如此突然強加到他身上的責任,他忠實地履行它們直到最後。至少他生命中一個很大問題和預期的困難以悲劇性地解決了——他現在不會被期望前往耶路撒冷在拉比的指導下學習。耶穌「未在任何人門下」這始終是真實的。他甚至願意從最卑微的小孩子那學習,但他從未自人類來源那裡獲得教導真理的權威。

126:2.4 (1388.4) Still he knew nothing of the Gabriel visit to his mother before his birth; he only learned of this from John on the day of his baptism, at the beginning of his public ministry.

126:2.4 (1388.4) 他仍然對加百列在他出生前造訪他母親之事一無所知;他僅在他受洗之日,在他開始公開侍奉時,才從約翰那裡得知這件事。

126:2.5 (1388.5) As the years passed, this young carpenter of Nazareth increasingly measured every institution of society and every usage of religion by the unvarying test: What does it do for the human soul? does it bring God to man? does it bring man to God? While this youth did not wholly neglect the recreational and social aspects of life, more and more he devoted his time and energies to just two purposes: the care of his family and the preparation to do his Father’s heavenly will on earth.

126:2.5 (1388.5) 隨著歲月流逝,這個年輕的拿撒勒木匠逐漸用不變的標準來衡量每個社會制度和每樣宗教習俗:它對人類靈魂有什麼作用?它將神帶給人嗎?它將人帶到神面前了嗎?儘管這個年輕人並未完全忽略生活的娛樂和社交方面,他越來越把他的時間和精力專注在只有兩個目的:照顧他的家庭,以及準備在世上履行他「父」的天堂旨意。

126:2.6 (1389.1) This year it became the custom for the neighbors to drop in during the winter evenings to hear Jesus play upon the harp, to listen to his stories (for the lad was a master storyteller), and to hear him read from the Greek scriptures.

126:2.6 (1389.1) 這一年,鄰居們在冬天傍晚來訪成了習慣,來聽耶穌彈奏豎琴,聽他講故事(因為這個小男孩是個講故事高手),並聽他讀希臘經文。

126:2.7 (1389.2) The economic affairs of the family continued to run fairly smoothly as there was quite a sum of money on hand at the time of Joseph’s death. Jesus early demonstrated the possession of keen business judgment and financial sagacity. He was liberal but frugal; he was saving but generous. He proved to be a wise and efficient administrator of his father’s estate.

126:2.7 (1389.2) 這個家庭的經濟事務繼續相當平穩地運行,因為在約瑟夫去世時手邊有相當大的一筆錢。耶穌很早就顯示出擁有敏銳的商業判斷和財務睿智。他慷慨但節儉;他節約但大方。他證明了自己是他父親財產的明智而又有效的管理者。

126:2.8 (1389.3) But in spite of all that Jesus and the Nazareth neighbors could do to bring cheer into the home, Mary, and even the children, were overcast with sadness. Joseph was gone. Joseph was an unusual husband and father, and they all missed him. And it seemed all the more tragic to think that he died ere they could speak to him or hear his farewell blessing.

126:2.8 (1389.3) 不過,儘管耶穌和拿撒勒鄰居們為給家庭帶來歡樂所盡力做的一切,瑪利亞甚至孩子們仍籠罩在悲傷中。約瑟夫過世了。約瑟夫是一個非同尋常的丈夫和父親,他們都想念他。想到在他們能和他說話或聽他的告別祝福前他就過世了,這似乎更加悲痛。

3. The Fifteenth Year (A.D. 9)
3. 第十五年(西元9年)

126:3.1 (1389.4) By the middle of this fifteenth year—and we are reckoning time in accordance with the twentieth-century calendar, not by the Jewish year—Jesus had taken a firm grasp upon the management of his family. Before this year had passed, their savings had about disappeared, and they were face to face with the necessity of disposing of one of the Nazareth houses which Joseph and his neighbor Jacob owned in partnership.

126:3.1 (1389.4) 到這第十五年年中——我們是依照二十世紀曆法而非猶太年來計算時間——耶穌已牢牢掌握了對他家庭的管理。在這年過去之前,他們的積蓄已經幾乎告罄,他們不得不處理約瑟夫和他的鄰居雅各所合夥擁有的其中一棟拿撒勒房子。

126:3.2 (1389.5) On Wednesday evening, April 17, a.d. 9, Ruth, the baby of the family, was born, and to the best of his ability Jesus endeavored to take the place of his father in comforting and ministering to his mother during this trying and peculiarly sad ordeal. For almost a score of years (until he began his public ministry) no father could have loved and nurtured his daughter any more affectionately and faithfully than Jesus cared for little Ruth. And he was an equally good father to all the other members of his family.

126:3.2 (1389.5) 西元9年4月17日星期三傍晚,家裡的嬰兒路得誕生了,耶穌盡其所能努力代替他父親,在這段艱難而又特別悲傷的嚴峻考驗期間安慰和侍奉他的母親。在將幾近二十年裡(直到他開始他的公開侍奉),沒有哪個父親能像耶穌照顧小路得那樣,更加深情和忠實地熱愛和養育他的女兒。對於他家裡的所有其他成員來說,他也是一個同樣好的父親。

126:3.3 (1389.6) During this year Jesus first formulated the prayer which he subsequently taught to his apostles, and which to many has become known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” In a way it was an evolution of the family altar; they had many forms of praise and several formal prayers. After his father’s death Jesus tried to teach the older children to express themselves individually in prayer—much as he so enjoyed doing—but they could not grasp his thought and would invariably fall back upon their memorized prayer forms. It was in this effort to stimulate his older brothers and sisters to say individual prayers that Jesus would endeavor to lead them along by suggestive phrases, and presently, without intention on his part, it developed that they were all using a form of prayer which was largely built up from these suggestive lines which Jesus had taught them.

126:3.3 (1389.6) 在這一年裡,耶穌首次制定了後來教導給他的使徒們的祈禱文,對於許多人來說,它被稱為「主禱文。」在某種程度上,它是家庭祭壇的一種演進;它們擁有許多形式的讚美和幾種正式的祈禱。耶穌在他父親死後嘗試教導較年長的孩子在祈禱中以個人的方式表達自己——正如他所非常樂於做的那樣——但他們無法理解他的想法,總是回到他們背誦的祈禱形式上。正是在這種激勵他年紀較大的弟弟妹妹們說出個人祈禱的努力中,耶穌會力圖透過啟發性的短語引導他們,而不久後,在沒有他本人意圖的情況下,他們都在使用一種祈禱形式,這種祈禱形式主要是由耶穌教導過他們的啟發性話語所構建的。

126:3.4 (1389.7) At last Jesus gave up the idea of having each member of the family formulate spontaneous prayers, and one evening in October he sat down by the little squat lamp on the low stone table, and, on a piece of smooth cedar board about eighteen inches square, with a piece of charcoal he wrote out the prayer which became from that time on the standard family petition.

126:3.4 (1389.7) 最後,耶穌放棄了讓每個家庭成員制定自發性祈禱文的想法,十月的一個晚上,他在低矮石桌上的小矮燈旁坐下,在一張大約46公分見方的光滑雪松板上,他用一片木炭寫下了從那時起成為標準家庭請願文的祈禱文。

126:3.5 (1389.8) This year Jesus was much troubled with confused thinking. Family responsibility had quite effectively removed all thought of immediately carrying out any plan for responding to the Jerusalem visitation directing him to “be about his Father’s business.” Jesus rightly reasoned that the watchcare of his earthly father’s family must take precedence of all duties; that the support of his family must become his first obligation.

126:3.5 (1389.8) 這一年,耶穌因混亂的思緒而極為困擾。家庭責任已相當實際地打消了所有立即執行任何計劃以回應那耶路撒冷探訪的想法,該探訪指示他「以他『父』的事為念」。耶穌正確的推斷,看顧他世間父親的家庭必須要優先於所有職責;對他家庭的支持必須要成為他的首要義務。

126:3.6 (1390.1) In the course of this year Jesus found a passage in the so-called Book of Enoch which influenced him in the later adoption of the term “Son of Man” as a designation for his bestowal mission on Urantia. He had thoroughly considered the idea of the Jewish Messiah and was firmly convinced that he was not to be that Messiah. He longed to help his father’s people, but he never expected to lead Jewish armies in overthrowing the foreign domination of Palestine. He knew he would never sit on the throne of David at Jerusalem. Neither did he believe that his mission was that of a spiritual deliverer or moral teacher solely to the Jewish people. In no sense, therefore, could his life mission be the fulfillment of the intense longings and supposed Messianic prophecies of the Hebrew scriptures; at least, not as the Jews understood these predictions of the prophets. Likewise he was certain he was never to appear as the Son of Man depicted by the Prophet Daniel.

126:3.6 (1390.1) 在這一年裡,耶穌在所謂的《以諾書》中找到一段文章,這段文章影響了他後來採用「人子」這一詞作為他在玉苒廈上贈與使命的稱呼。他已徹底考慮了猶太彌賽亞的觀念,並堅定相信他將不會是那個彌賽亞。他渴望幫助他父親的人民,但他從未想過領導猶太軍隊推翻巴勒斯坦的外來統治。他知道他絕不會坐在耶路撒冷的大衛王寶座。他也不相信他做為靈性拯救者或道德導師的使命僅僅是針對猶太人。因此,他的畢生使命決不會是為了滿足希伯來經文中那強烈渴望和假定的彌賽亞預言;至少,並非如猶太人所理解的那些先知的預言。同樣,他確信自己永遠不會以先知但以理所描繪的那種「人子」身份出現。

126:3.7 (1390.2) But when the time came for him to go forth as a world teacher, what would he call himself? What claim should he make concerning his mission? By what name would he be called by the people who would become believers in his teachings?

126:3.7 (1390.2) 但是,當他站出來成為世界導師的時候到來時,他將怎麼稱呼自己?他該如何宣稱自己的使命?那些相信他教導的人會用什麼名字稱呼他?

126:3.8 (1390.3) While turning all these problems over in his mind, he found in the synagogue library at Nazareth, among the apocalyptic books which he had been studying, this manuscript called “The Book of Enoch”; and though he was certain that it had not been written by Enoch of old, it proved very intriguing to him, and he read and reread it many times. There was one passage which particularly impressed him, a passage in which this term “Son of Man” appeared. The writer of this so-called Book of Enoch went on to tell about this Son of Man, describing the work he would do on earth and explaining that this Son of Man, before coming down on this earth to bring salvation to mankind, had walked through the courts of heavenly glory with his Father, the Father of all; and that he had turned his back upon all this grandeur and glory to come down on earth to proclaim salvation to needy mortals. As Jesus would read these passages (well understanding that much of the Eastern mysticism which had become admixed with these teachings was erroneous), he responded in his heart and recognized in his mind that of all the Messianic predictions of the Hebrew scriptures and of all the theories about the Jewish deliverer, none was so near the truth as this story tucked away in this only partially accredited Book of Enoch; and he then and there decided to adopt as his inaugural title “the Son of Man.” And this he did when he subsequently began his public work. Jesus had an unerring ability for the recognition of truth, and truth he never hesitated to embrace, no matter from what source it appeared to emanate.

126:3.8 (1390.3) 當在腦海中反覆思考所有這些問題時,他在拿撒勒猶太會堂圖書館裡,在他所研究的啟示書籍中,發現了這本名為《以諾書》的手稿;儘管他確信它並非由古代的以諾所寫,但它引起了他的極大興趣,他反覆讀了很多遍。有一段話尤其令他印象深刻,在這段文章中出現了「人子」這個詞。這本所謂《以諾書》的作者繼續講述這個「人子」,描述他在世上將做的工作,並解釋這個「人子」在降臨這個世上拯救人類之前,已與他的「父」、萬物之「父」一同漫步於天堂榮耀之地;他已放棄了所有這一切莊嚴和榮耀,來到世上向需要救贖的人宣告救恩。當耶穌閱讀這些段落時(清楚理解到許多已經與這些教導混雜在一起的東方神秘主義都是錯誤的),他在心裡回應並意識到,希伯來經文中所有彌賽亞的預言以及關於猶太人拯救者的所有理論,沒有比藏在這本僅被部分認可的《以諾書》中的故事更為接近真理;他當下即決定採用「人子」作為他就任頭銜。在他隨後開始他的公共工作時,他便這麼做了。耶穌擁有一種無誤的辨識真理能力,無論真理看似來自何處,他都毫不猶豫地擁抱它。

126:3.9 (1390.4) By this time he had quite thoroughly settled many things about his forthcoming work for the world, but he said nothing of these matters to his mother, who still held stoutly to the idea of his being the Jewish Messiah.

126:3.9 (1390.4) 到這個時候,他已經相當徹底地確定了許多關於他即將到來的世間工作,但他並沒有向他的母親提起這些事,而她仍然堅決地堅持他是猶太人彌賽亞的想法。

126:3.10 (1390.5) The great confusion of Jesus’ younger days now arose. Having settled something about the nature of his mission on earth, “to be about his Father’s business”—to show forth his Father’s loving nature to all mankind—he began to ponder anew the many statements in the Scriptures referring to the coming of a national deliverer, a Jewish teacher or king. To what event did these prophecies refer? Was not he a Jew? or was he? Was he or was he not of the house of David? His mother averred he was; his father had ruled that he was not. He decided he was not. But had the prophets confused the nature and mission of the Messiah?

126:3.10 (1390.5) 耶穌年輕時候的巨大困惑這時又浮現出來。在確定了關於他在世上的使命本質,「以他父的事為念」——向所有人類展示他「父」的慈愛本性——他開始重新思考「經文」中許多有關民族拯救者(猶太人導師或是國王)到來的許多陳述。這些預言指的是什麼事件?他不是猶太人嗎?還是他是?他是否屬於大衛家族?他母親堅稱他是;他父親則認為他不是。他決意他並不是。但難道是先知們混淆了彌賽亞的本質和使命?

126:3.11 (1391.1) After all, could it be possible that his mother was right? In most matters, when differences of opinion had arisen in the past, she had been right. If he were a new teacher and not the Messiah, then how should he recognize the Jewish Messiah if such a one should appear in Jerusalem during the time of his earth mission; and, further, what should be his relation to this Jewish Messiah? And what should be his relation, after embarking on his life mission, to his family? to the Jewish commonwealth and religion? to the Roman Empire? to the gentiles and their religions? Each of these momentous problems this young Galilean turned over in his mind and seriously pondered while he continued to work at the carpenter’s bench, laboriously making a living for himself, his mother, and eight other hungry mouths.

126:3.11 (1391.1) 終究,是否有可能他母親是對的?在過去當出現意見分歧時,在大多數事情上,她都是對的。如果他是一位新的導師而不是彌賽亞,那麼他應如何認出猶太彌賽亞,如果這樣的一個人在他世間使命期間出現在耶路撒冷;此外,他與這位猶太彌賽亞應該有什麼樣的關係?在開始他的人生使命之後,他與他家庭應該有什麼樣的關係?與猶太人聯邦和宗教的關係?與羅馬帝國的關係?與外邦人和他們宗教應該有什麼樣的關係?這個年輕的加利利人一邊在木匠的工作臺上辛勤工作,為他自己、他的母親和其他八口人賺取生計,一邊在腦海中反覆思考著每一個這些重大問題。

126:3.12 (1391.2) Before the end of this year Mary saw the family funds diminishing. She turned the sale of doves over to James. Presently they bought a second cow, and with the aid of Miriam they began the sale of milk to their Nazareth neighbors.

126:3.12 (1391.2) 在這年結束之前,瑪利亞看到家庭資金逐漸減少。她將鴿子的銷售交給了詹姆斯。不久,他們買了第二頭乳牛,在米利暗的幫助下,他們開始將牛奶賣給他們拿撒勒的鄰居。

126:3.13 (1391.3) His profound periods of meditation, his frequent journeys to the hilltop for prayer, and the many strange ideas which Jesus advanced from time to time, thoroughly alarmed his mother. Sometimes she thought the lad was beside himself, and then she would steady her fears, remembering that he was, after all, a child of promise and in some manner different from other youths.

126:3.13 (1391.3) 耶穌的深度冥想期,他的經常前往山頂祈禱,以及他不時提出的許多奇怪想法,徹底讓他的母親驚慌不安。有時她認為這個小男孩失控了,後來她會平復她的恐懼,記得他畢竟是一個應許之子,在某種程度上不同於其他年輕人。

126:3.14 (1391.4) But Jesus was learning not to speak of all his thoughts, not to present all his ideas to the world, not even to his own mother. From this year on, Jesus’ disclosures about what was going on in his mind steadily diminished; that is, he talked less about those things which an average person could not grasp, and which would lead to his being regarded as peculiar or different from ordinary folks. To all appearances he became commonplace and conventional, though he did long for someone who could understand his problems. He craved a trustworthy and confidential friend, but his problems were too complex for his human associates to comprehend. The uniqueness of the unusual situation compelled him to bear his burdens alone.

126:3.14 (1391.4) 不過耶穌逐漸學會不說出他的所有想法,不將他所有觀念呈現給世界,甚至不告訴他自己的母親。從這一年開始,耶穌逐漸減少透露他內心的想法;也就是說,他越來越少談論那些普通人無法理解,和那些會導致他被視為奇特或與眾不同的事情。就表面上看,他變得平凡而又傳統,儘管他確實盼望有人能理解他的問題。他渴望一個值得信任而又能保守秘密的朋友,但他的問題對於他的人類同伴來說太過複雜,以致於難以理解。這種不尋常情況的獨特性,迫使他獨自承受他的重擔。

4. First Sermon in the Synagogue
4. 在會堂的首次講道

126:4.1 (1391.5) With the coming of his fifteenth birthday, Jesus could officially occupy the synagogue pulpit on the Sabbath day. Many times before, in the absence of speakers, Jesus had been asked to read the Scriptures, but now the day had come when, according to law, he could conduct the service. Therefore on the first Sabbath after his fifteenth birthday the chazan arranged for Jesus to conduct the morning service of the synagogue. And when all the faithful in Nazareth had assembled, the young man, having made his selection of Scriptures, stood up and began to read:

126:4.1 (1391.5) 隨著耶穌十五歲生日的到來,他能正式在安息日站上猶太會堂的講壇。在此之前,耶穌曾多次在沒有演講者的情況下被要求朗讀聖經,但現在,依照律法,他可以主持禮拜的日子已經到來。因此在他十五歲生日後的第一個安息日,領誦者安排耶穌主持會堂的晨間禮拜。當拿撒勒的所有信徒聚集在一起時,這位年輕人選好了經文,站起來開始朗讀:

126:4.2 (1391.6) “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to set the spiritual prisoners free; to proclaim the year of God’s favor and the day of our God’s reckoning; to comfort all mourners, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy in the place of mourning, a song of praise instead of the spirit of sorrow, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, wherewith he may be glorified.

126:4.2 (1391.6) 「上主神的靈在我身上,因為上主膏立了我;他差遣我去把好消息帶給溫順的人,去醫治好傷心的人,去宣告被擄的人自由,釋放屬靈的囚徒;宣告神的恩年和我們神的清算之日,撫慰所有哀悼者,賜給他們美好代替灰塵,喜樂之油代替悲哀,讚美之歌代替憂傷之靈,使他們被稱為公義之樹,是上主所植,藉此使他得榮耀。

126:4.3 (1392.1) “Seek good and not evil that you may live, and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you. Hate the evil and love the good; establish judgment in the gate. Perhaps the Lord God will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

126:4.3 (1392.1) 「你們要尋求良善而非邪惡,就必存活,這樣上主——萬軍之神——必與你們同在。要憎惡邪惡,喜愛良善;在城門口秉公行義。也許上主神會施恩給約瑟的餘民。

126:4.4 (1392.2) “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil and learn to do good; seek justice, relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless and plead for the widow.

126:4.4 (1392.2) 「洗滌你們自己,潔淨自己;從我眼前除去你們的惡行;停止作惡並學會行善;尋求公正,解救受欺壓者。為孤兒辯護,為寡婦申冤。

126:4.5 (1392.3) “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, to bow myself before the Lord of all the earth? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousands of sheep, or with rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? No! for the Lord has showed us, O men, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?

126:4.5 (1392.3) 「我應帶什麼來到上主面前,在全地之主面前叩拜?難道獻上一歲的牛犢為燔祭來朝見他嗎?上主會喜愛成千的公羊,成萬的綿羊或油河嗎?我應為我的過犯而獻出我的長子,為我靈魂之罪給出我所親生的嗎?不!因為世人啊,上主已指示我們何為良善。而除了行公義,好憐憫,謙卑地與你們的神同行,上主對你們有什麼要求?

126:4.6 (1392.4) “To whom, then, will you liken God who sits upon the circle of the earth? Lift up your eyes and behold who has created all these worlds, who brings forth their host by number and calls them all by their names. He does all these things by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one fails. He gives power to the weak, and to those who are weary he increases strength. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness, for I am the Lord your God. And I will hold your right hand, saying to you, fear not, for I will help you.

126:4.6 (1392.4) 「你們究竟把誰來跟坐在大地圓穹之上的神相比呢?抬起你的雙眼,看看誰創造了所有這些世界,誰按著數目萬象,一一稱它們的名。他以他的大能之偉大做了所有這些事,因為他的權能,連一個都不缺少。他給軟弱的人能力,給疲憊的人力量。不要害怕,因為我與你同在;不要驚慌,因為我是你的神。我會增強你,我會幫助你;是的,我會用我公義的右手扶持你,因為我是上主你的神。我會握著你的右手,對你說,不要怕,因為我必幫助你。

126:4.7 (1392.5) “And you are my witness, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen that all may know and believe me and understand that I am the Eternal. I, even I, am the Lord, and beside me there is no savior.”

126:4.7 (1392.5) 「上主說,你是我的見證人,我所揀選的僕人,為的是讓所有人都知道並相信我,明白我是永恆者。就是我,我是上主,除我以外沒有拯救者。 」

126:4.8 (1392.6) And when he had thus read, he sat down, and the people went to their homes, pondering over the words which he had so graciously read to them. Never had his townspeople seen him so magnificently solemn; never had they heard his voice so earnest and so sincere; never had they observed him so manly and decisive, so authoritative.

126:4.8 (1392.6) 當他朗讀完後,他坐下來,人們回到他們的家裡,細細琢磨他如此親切地為他們朗讀的話語。他的鄉親們從未看過他如此宏偉莊嚴;他們從未聽過他的聲音如此熱切,如此真誠;他們從未見過他如此剛毅果斷,如此具有權威。

126:4.9 (1392.7) This Sabbath afternoon Jesus climbed the Nazareth hill with James and, when they returned home, wrote out the Ten Commandments in Greek on two smooth boards in charcoal. Subsequently Martha colored and decorated these boards, and for long they hung on the wall over James’s small workbench.

126:4.9 (1392.7) 這個安息日下午,耶穌與詹姆斯一起爬上了拿撒勒的山丘,當他們回家時,用木炭在兩塊光滑木板上用希臘文寫下了十誡。隨後,馬大將這這些木板上色並裝飾,它們在詹姆斯小工作臺上方的牆上掛了很長一段時間。

5. The Financial Struggle
5. 財務困境

126:5.1 (1392.8) Gradually Jesus and his family returned to the simple life of their earlier years. Their clothes and even their food became simpler. They had plenty of milk, butter, and cheese. In season they enjoyed the produce of their garden, but each passing month necessitated the practice of greater frugality. Their breakfasts were very plain; they saved their best food for the evening meal. However, among these Jews lack of wealth did not imply social inferiority.

126:5.1 (1392.8) 耶穌和他的家庭逐漸回到他們較早年的簡單生活。他們的衣服乃至他們的食物都變得更簡單了。他們擁有充足的牛奶、黃油和乳酪。在產季裡他們享用自己園子裡的產品,但隨著每個月的流逝,更加節儉的生活方式成為必需。他們的早餐非常簡單;他們把最好的食物留到晚餐。然而,在這些猶太人中,缺乏財富並不意味著社會地位低下。

126:5.2 (1392.9) Already had this youth well-nigh encompassed the comprehension of how men lived in his day. And how well he understood life in the home, field, and workshop is shown by his subsequent teachings, which so repletely reveal his intimate contact with all phases of human experience.

126:5.2 (1392.9) 這個年輕人已經幾乎完全理解了他那個時代的人是如何生活的。他對家庭、田野和工作坊生活的深刻理解,也顯現在他隨後的教導中,這些教導如此充分地揭示了他與各方面人類經驗的密切接觸。

126:5.3 (1392.10) The Nazareth chazan continued to cling to the belief that Jesus was to become a great teacher, probably the successor of the renowned Gamaliel at Jerusalem.

126:5.3 (1392.10) 拿撒勒的領誦者繼續堅持相信耶穌將成為一位偉大的導師,有可能是耶路撒冷著名的迦瑪列的繼任者。

126:5.4 (1393.1) Apparently all Jesus’ plans for a career were thwarted. The future did not look bright as matters now developed. But he did not falter; he was not discouraged. He lived on, day by day, doing well the present duty and faithfully discharging the immediate responsibilities of his station in life. Jesus’ life is the everlasting comfort of all disappointed idealists.

126:5.4 (1393.1) 從表面上看,耶穌所有的生涯計劃都遭到了挫敗。隨著現在事態的發展,未來看來並非一片光明。但他沒有動搖;他沒有氣餒。他一天天地繼續生活,做好當下的本分並忠實履行他生活中所處身份的立即責任。耶穌的一生是所有失意的理想主義者之永久慰藉。

126:5.5 (1393.2) The pay of a common day-laboring carpenter was slowly diminishing. By the end of this year Jesus could earn, by working early and late, only the equivalent of about twenty-five cents a day. By the next year they found it difficult to pay the civil taxes, not to mention the synagogue assessments and the temple tax of one-half shekel. During this year the tax collector tried to squeeze extra revenue out of Jesus, even threatening to take his harp.

126:5.5 (1393.2) 一個普通按日計酬木匠的工資正在慢慢減少。到今年年底,耶穌早出晚歸地工作也只能賺到相當於一天二十五美分。到了第二年,他們發現很難支付公民稅,更不用說猶太會堂的徵費和半舍克勒的聖殿稅。在這年期間,稅吏企圖從耶穌身上榨取額外的收入,甚至威脅要拿走他的豎琴。

126:5.6 (1393.3) Fearing that the copy of the Greek scriptures might be discovered and confiscated by the tax collectors, Jesus, on his fifteenth birthday, presented it to the Nazareth synagogue library as his maturity offering to the Lord.

126:5.6 (1393.3) 由於擔心希臘文經文的抄本可能會被稅吏發現並被充公,耶穌在他十五歲生日時把它呈獻給了拿撒勒猶太會堂圖書館,作為他獻給上主的成年祭品。

126:5.7 (1393.4) The great shock of his fifteenth year came when Jesus went over to Sepphoris to receive the decision of Herod regarding the appeal taken to him in the dispute about the amount of money due Joseph at the time of his accidental death. Jesus and Mary had hoped for the receipt of a considerable sum of money when the treasurer at Sepphoris had offered them a paltry amount. Joseph’s brothers had taken an appeal to Herod himself, and now Jesus stood in the palace and heard Herod decree that his father had nothing due him at the time of his death. And for such an unjust decision Jesus never again trusted Herod Antipas. It is not surprising that he once alluded to Herod as “that fox.”

126:5.7 (1393.4) 耶穌十五歲那年的巨大衝擊來自於他前往塞弗瑞斯接收希律王的對於一件上訴的判決,那是關於約瑟夫在他意外死亡時所應得金額的爭議。耶穌和瑪利亞原指望收到一筆可觀的金額,但塞弗瑞斯的司庫卻只給了他們一筆微不足道的錢。約瑟夫的兄弟們向希律往本人提出上訴,而現在耶穌站在宮殿裡,聽到希律裁定他的父親在去世時沒有任何應得的錢。因為這樣一個不公的決定,耶穌再也不信任希律.安提帕斯。他曾暗指希律為「那隻狐狸」,這也就不足為奇了。

126:5.8 (1393.5) The close work at the carpenter’s bench during this and subsequent years deprived Jesus of the opportunity of mingling with the caravan passengers. The family supply shop had already been taken over by his uncle, and Jesus worked altogether in the home shop, where he was near to help Mary with the family. About this time he began sending James up to the camel lot to gather information about world events, and thus he sought to keep in touch with the news of the day.

126:5.8 (1393.5) 這一年和隨後的幾年裡,在木匠台的緊張工作剝奪了耶穌與商隊旅客往來的機會。家庭經營的用品店已被他叔叔所接管,耶穌則完全在家中工作坊工作,以便就近幫助瑪利亞照顧家庭。大約在這個時候,他開始派詹姆斯前往駱駝棚收集關於世界大事的資訊,以此方式他試圖與時事保持聯繫。

126:5.9 (1393.6) As he grew up to manhood, he passed through all those conflicts and confusions which the average young persons of previous and subsequent ages have undergone. And the rigorous experience of supporting his family was a sure safeguard against his having overmuch time for idle meditation or the indulgence of mystic tendencies.

126:5.9 (1393.6) 隨著他長大成人,他經歷了過去和未來時代一般年輕人所遭受過的所有那些衝突和困惑。支持他家庭的嚴峻經歷確保他無暇進行無目的的冥想,或沉迷於各種神秘主義的傾向。

126:5.10 (1393.7) This was the year that Jesus rented a considerable piece of land just to the north of their home, which was divided up as a family garden plot. Each of the older children had an individual garden, and they entered into keen competition in their agricultural efforts. Their eldest brother spent some time with them in the garden each day during the season of vegetable cultivation. As Jesus worked with his younger brothers and sisters in the garden, he many times entertained the wish that they were all located on a farm out in the country where they could enjoy the liberty and freedom of an unhampered life. But they did not find themselves growing up in the country; and Jesus, being a thoroughly practical youth as well as an idealist, intelligently and vigorously attacked his problem just as he found it, and did everything within his power to adjust himself and his family to the realities of their situation and to adapt their condition to the highest possible satisfaction of their individual and collective longings.

126:5.10 (1393.7) 這一年,耶穌在他們家北面租了一大片土地,這地被劃分為家庭的菜園地塊。每個較大的孩子都有一塊個人的菜園,他們在他們農作努力中展開熱切的競爭。在蔬菜耕種季節,他們的大哥每天花一些時間與他們一起在菜園裡。當耶穌與他的弟弟妹妹們在菜園裡工作時,他多次希望他們都住在鄉下的農場裡,在那裡他們可以享受自由自在、無拘無束的生活。但他們並沒有在鄉間長大;耶穌是一個徹底務實的年輕人,也是一個理想主義者,他聰明而有力地解決他所遇到的問題,並盡其所能使自己和家人適應他們的處境,且使他們的狀況因應他們個人和集體的最高可能滿足。

126:5.11 (1393.8) At one time Jesus faintly hoped that he might be able to gather up sufficient means, provided they could collect the considerable sum of money due his father for work on Herod’s palace, to warrant undertaking the purchase of a small farm. He had really given serious thought to this plan of moving his family out into the country. But when Herod refused to pay them any of the funds due Joseph, they gave up the ambition of owning a home in the country. As it was, they contrived to enjoy much of the experience of farm life as they now had three cows, four sheep, a flock of chickens, a donkey, and a dog, in addition to the doves. Even the little tots had their regular duties to perform in the well-regulated scheme of management which characterized the home life of this Nazareth family.

126:5.11 (1393.8) 耶穌一度隱約希望他或許能夠積攢足夠的資金,只要他們能收集到他父親為希律宮殿工作所應得的可觀款項,就可確保買下一個小農場。他確實認真考慮過這個舉家遷往鄉下的計劃。但當希律拒絕支付他們任何積欠約瑟夫的款項後,他們放棄了在鄉間擁有一座房子的野心。儘管如此,他們還是設法享受了農場生活的大多經歷,因為他們現在除了鴿子之外,還擁有三頭乳牛,四隻羊,一群雞,一頭驢和一隻狗。甚至小孩子們也在這井然有序的管理體系中有他們要履行的日常職責,該管理體系描繪了這個拿撒勒家庭的家庭生活特徵。

126:5.12 (1394.1) With the close of this fifteenth year Jesus completed the traversal of that dangerous and difficult period in human existence, that time of transition between the more complacent years of childhood and the consciousness of approaching manhood with its increased responsibilities and opportunities for the acquirement of advanced experience in the development of a noble character. The growth period for mind and body had ended, and now began the real career of this young man of Nazareth.

126:5.12 (1394.1) 隨著這第十五年的結束,耶穌完成了人類生存中那個危險而艱難的時期的遍歷,即從更為自滿的童年歲月到意識到即將成年期的過渡階段,並意識到成年期所伴隨而來的漸增責任和在高尚品格發展中獲得進階經歷的機會。心智和身體成長時期已經結束,現在這個拿撒勒年輕人的真正生涯開始了。

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