第137篇 在加利利停留的時日
137:0.1 (1524.1) EARLY on Saturday morning, February 23, a.d. 26, Jesus came down from the hills to rejoin John’s company encamped at Pella. All that day Jesus mingled with the multitude. He ministered to a lad who had injured himself in a fall and journeyed to the near-by village of Pella to deliver the boy safely into the hands of his parents.
137:0.1 (1524.1) 西元26年2月23日，週六清晨，耶穌從山上下來，回到安營於佩拉的約翰一行人那裡。那天，耶穌一整天都與眾人在一起。有一個少年跌倒受傷了，耶穌照料他，並前往附近的佩拉村莊，將男孩平安地交到他父母手中。
137:1.1 (1524.2) During this Sabbath two of John’s leading disciples spent much time with Jesus. Of all John’s followers one named Andrew was the most profoundly impressed with Jesus; he accompanied him on the trip to Pella with the injured boy. On the way back to John’s rendezvous he asked Jesus many questions, and just before reaching their destination, the two paused for a short talk, during which Andrew said: “I have observed you ever since you came to Capernaum, and I believe you are the new Teacher, and though I do not understand all your teaching, I have fully made up my mind to follow you; I would sit at your feet and learn the whole truth about the new kingdom.” And Jesus, with hearty assurance, welcomed Andrew as the first of his apostles, that group of twelve who were to labor with him in the work of establishing the new kingdom of God in the hearts of men.
137:1.1 (1524.2) 在這個安息日期間，約翰的兩位主要門徒有許多時間都與耶穌待在一起。在約翰的所有追隨者中，一個名叫安德魯(Andrew)的人受耶穌的觸動最為深切；他一路陪同耶穌帶著受傷的男孩前往佩拉。在返回約翰集合地的路上，他問了耶穌許多問題。就要抵達目的地時，二人停下來稍作交談，說話間，安德魯說：「從你來到迦百農以來，我就一直在觀察你。我相信你就是那位新老師，儘管我並不完全理解你所教導的，但我已決心追隨你；我願意坐在你的腳前，學習關於新王國的全部真理。」耶穌懷著由衷的確信，欣然接納安德魯，認他為自己使徒中的第一位使徒——這個十二使徒團體將與他一道辛勤事奉，在人心中建立新的、屬神的王國。
137:1.2 (1524.3) Andrew was a silent observer of, and sincere believer in, John’s work, and he had a very able and enthusiastic brother, named Simon, who was one of John’s foremost disciples. It would not be amiss to say that Simon was one of John’s chief supporters.
137:1.2 (1524.3) 對於約翰所做的事，安德魯持一種安靜觀察者的態度，並真誠地信奉。他有一個弟弟叫西門，非常能幹、熱情，是約翰最為重要的門徒之一。說西門是約翰的主要支持者之一也不為過。
137:1.3 (1524.4) Soon after Jesus and Andrew returned to the camp, Andrew sought out his brother, Simon, and taking him aside, informed him that he had settled in his own mind that Jesus was the great Teacher, and that he had pledged himself as a disciple. He went on to say that Jesus had accepted his proffer of service and suggested that he (Simon) likewise go to Jesus and offer himself for fellowship in the service of the new kingdom. Said Simon: “Ever since this man came to work in Zebedee’s shop, I have believed he was sent by God, but what about John? Are we to forsake him? Is this the right thing to do?” Whereupon they agreed to go at once to consult John. John was saddened by the thought of losing two of his able advisers and most promising disciples, but he bravely answered their inquiries, saying: “This is but the beginning; presently will my work end, and we shall all become his disciples.” Then Andrew beckoned to Jesus to draw aside while he announced that his brother desired to join himself to the service of the new kingdom. And in welcoming Simon as his second apostle, Jesus said: “Simon, your enthusiasm is commendable, but it is dangerous to the work of the kingdom. I admonish you to become more thoughtful in your speech. I would change your name to Peter.”
137:1.3 (1524.4) 耶穌和安德魯返回營地後，安德魯很快便找著他弟弟西門，將他帶到一旁，告訴他說，自己心中已確定耶穌就是那位偉大老師，並已立誓做耶穌的門徒。他接著說，耶穌已接受了他加入服務的提議，建議西門也去耶穌那裡，自請加入為新王國服務的行列。西門說：「從這人來西庇太的工坊工作開始，我就相信他是神差遣來的；但約翰呢？難道我們要拋棄他？這樣做對嗎？」於是他們一致同意立即去徵詢約翰的意見。約翰想到要失去兩位得力的議事夥伴、最具潛質的門徒，不免悵然，但仍勇敢地回答他們的詢問，說道：「這只是開始；我的工作不久便要結束，屆時我們都將成為他的門徒。」隨後，安德魯示意耶穌到一旁，鄭重告知，他弟弟想加入新王國的服務。耶穌欣然接納西門為他的第二位使徒，並說：「西門，你的熱情值得稱讚，但對王國的事工而言，這是危險的。我告誡你，言語要更加審慎。我想改你的名字為彼得。」
137:1.4 (1525.1) The parents of the injured lad who lived at Pella had besought Jesus to spend the night with them, to make their house his home, and he had promised. Before leaving Andrew and his brother, Jesus said, “Early on the morrow we go into Galilee.”
137:1.4 (1525.1) 那對家住佩拉的受傷孩子的父母懇求耶穌晚上在他們家過夜，將他們家當作他自己家；耶穌應允了。與安德魯和他弟弟道別時，耶穌說：「明日一早，我們去加利利。」
137:1.5 (1525.2) After Jesus had returned to Pella for the night, and while Andrew and Simon were yet discussing the nature of their service in the establishment of the forthcoming kingdom, James and John the sons of Zebedee arrived upon the scene, having just returned from their long and futile searching in the hills for Jesus. When they heard Simon Peter tell how he and his brother, Andrew, had become the first accepted counselors of the new kingdom, and that they were to leave with their new Master on the morrow for Galilee, both James and John were sad. They had known Jesus for some time, and they loved him. They had searched for him many days in the hills, and now they returned to learn that others had been preferred before them. They inquired where Jesus had gone and made haste to find him.
137:1.5 (1525.2) 耶穌返回佩拉過夜，安德魯和西門則仍在討論，在即將到來王國的建立中，他們服務的本質，恰在此時，西庇太的兩個兒子詹姆斯和約翰到來，他們在山中找了耶穌很久，剛無功而返。西門·彼得便向他們講述，他和哥哥安德魯是如何成為了最先被招收的新王國参同議事者，並且次日便要隨他們的新夫子一道離開此地、前往加利利；聽了這些，詹姆斯和約翰二人感到很難過。他們認識耶穌已有些時日，也非常愛他。他們在山中尋了耶穌多日，現在回來卻得知別人在他們前面先得了青睞。二人問明耶穌的去向，便急忙動身去找他。
137:1.6 (1525.3) Jesus was asleep when they reached his abode, but they awakened him, saying: “How is it that, while we who have so long lived with you are searching in the hills for you, you prefer others before us and choose Andrew and Simon as your first associates in the new kingdom?” Jesus answered them, “Be calm in your hearts and ask yourselves, ‘who directed that you should search for the Son of Man when he was about his Father’s business?’” After they had recited the details of their long search in the hills, Jesus further instructed them: “You should learn to search for the secret of the new kingdom in your hearts and not in the hills. That which you sought was already present in your souls. You are indeed my brethren—you needed not to be received by me—already were you of the kingdom, and you should be of good cheer, making ready also to go with us tomorrow into Galilee.” John then made bold to ask, “But, Master, will James and I be associates with you in the new kingdom, even as Andrew and Simon?” And Jesus, laying a hand on the shoulder of each of them, said: “My brethren, you were already with me in the spirit of the kingdom, even before these others made request to be received. You, my brethren, have no need to make request for entrance into the kingdom; you have been with me in the kingdom from the beginning. Before men, others may take precedence over you, but in my heart did I also number you in the councils of the kingdom, even before you thought to make this request of me. And even so might you have been first before men had you not been absent engaged in a well-intentioned but self-appointed task of seeking for one who was not lost. In the coming kingdom, be not mindful of those things which foster your anxiety but rather at all times concern yourselves only with doing the will of the Father who is in heaven.”
137:1.6 (1525.3) 二人到耶穌住的地方時，耶穌正在睡覺，但他們還是將他喚醒，說道：「我們與你一起生活了這麼久，還在山中尋找你，你卻將別人排在我們前面，選安德魯和西門做你新王國中的首批同伴，這是怎麼回事？」耶穌回答道：「你們心中要保持冷靜，然後問自己，『人子在行他父的事時，是誰指示你們應去尋他？』」他們細細陳述了在山中漫長的的尋找過程，而後耶穌進一步教導他們：「你們應學習在心中尋找新王國的奧秘，而不是在山中尋。你們所尋找的，已在你們靈魂裡。你們本就是我的兄弟——你們無需由我招納——你們本已屬於這王國。你們把心放下，準備好明天與我們一道去加利利吧。」約翰於是鼓起勇氣問道：「可是，夫子，我和詹姆斯是否也會像安德魯和西門一樣，成為你新王國中的夥伴呢？」耶穌兩隻手分別搭在他們二人的肩上，說道：「我的兄弟，早在這兩位的請求被接受之前，你們已與我同在這王國的精神中了。我的兄弟，你們無需請求進入這王國，你們從一開始就與我同在這王國中。在眾人面前，其他人可能先於你們；但在我心中，早在你們動念向我提出請求之前，我就已將你們列入王國的參同議事行列中了。若不是你們當時不在場——你們領了一樁出於善意、卻自作主張的差事，去尋找一個未走失的人——你們原本可能是眾人面前最先的。在即將到來的王國中，不要記掛那些使你們徒增焦慮的事，而要時刻留心履行天上父的旨意。」
137:1.7 (1525.4) James and John received the rebuke in good grace; never more were they envious of Andrew and Simon. And they made ready, with their two associate apostles, to depart for Galilee the next morning. From this day on the term apostle was employed to distinguish the chosen family of Jesus’ advisers from the vast multitude of believing disciples who subsequently followed him.
137:1.7 (1525.4) 詹姆斯和約翰心悅誠服，接受了責備，從此再也不羨慕安德魯和西門了。他們與兩位同伴使徒一起作好準備，第二天早上好一道動身前往加利利。正是從這一天起，「使徒」這一稱呼，就被用來區分耶穌揀選的議事夥伴群體與後來追隨他的廣大信徒。
137:1.8 (1525.5) Late that evening, James, John, Andrew, and Simon held converse with John the Baptist, and with tearful eye but steady voice the stalwart Judean prophet surrendered two of his leading disciples to become the apostles of the Galilean Prince of the coming kingdom.
137:1.8 (1525.5) 當晚夜深時分，詹姆斯、約翰、安德魯和西門四人與施洗約翰進行了一番交談；這位堅毅的猶太先知，眼含涙水，但以堅定的語氣，交出他的兩位主要門徒，讓他們成為那位即將到來王國的加利利君王的使徒。
137:2.1 (1526.1) Sunday morning, February 24, a.d. 26, Jesus took leave of John the Baptist by the river near Pella, never again to see him in the flesh.
137:2.1 (1526.1) 西元26年2月24日週日早上，耶穌在佩拉附近的河邊辭別了施洗約翰，自此再也不曾在肉身中相見。
137:2.2 (1526.2) That day, as Jesus and his four disciple-apostles departed for Galilee, there was a great tumult in the camp of John’s followers. The first great division was about to take place. The day before, John had made his positive pronouncement to Andrew and Ezra that Jesus was the Deliverer. Andrew decided to follow Jesus, but Ezra rejected the mild-mannered carpenter of Nazareth, proclaiming to his associates: “The Prophet Daniel declares that the Son of Man will come with the clouds of heaven, in power and great glory. This Galilean carpenter, this Capernaum boatbuilder, cannot be the Deliverer. Can such a gift of God come out of Nazareth? This Jesus is a relative of John, and through much kindness of heart has our teacher been deceived. Let us remain aloof from this false Messiah.” When John rebuked Ezra for these utterances, he drew away with many disciples and hastened south. And this group continued to baptize in John’s name and eventually founded a sect of those who believed in John but refused to accept Jesus. A remnant of this group persists in Mesopotamia even to this day.
137:2.2 (1526.2) 那天，當耶穌和他的四位門徒-使徒啟程前往加利利時，約翰的追隨者營地起了大騷動。第一次大分裂即將發生。前一天，約翰已向安德魯和以斯拉作了明確聲明：耶穌就是那位拯救者。安德魯決定追隨耶穌，但以斯拉拒絕了這位溫文儒雅的拿撒勒木匠，他向同伴們宣稱：「先知但以理宣吿，人子會駕著天雲而來，滿有權能和大榮耀。這個加利利木匠，這個迦百農造船匠，他不可能是那位拯救者。神的這等恩賜岂能出自拿撒勒？這個耶穌是約翰的親戚，我們老師因心地太善良被蒙蔽了。我們要與這個假的彌賽亞保持距離。」約翰因以斯拉的這番言論責備他；以斯拉便帶著許多信徒離去，匆促趕往南方。這一群體繼續以約翰之名施洗，最終成立了一個信約翰、但拒絕接受耶穌的教派。這一群體的餘脈至今仍存於美索不達米亞。
137:2.3 (1526.3) While this trouble was brewing among John’s followers, Jesus and his four disciple-apostles were well on their way toward Galilee. Before they crossed the Jordan, to go by way of Nain to Nazareth, Jesus, looking ahead and up the road, saw one Philip of Bethsaida with a friend coming toward them. Jesus had known Philip aforetime, and he was also well known to all four of the new apostles. He was on his way with his friend Nathaniel to visit John at Pella to learn more about the reported coming of the kingdom of God, and he was delighted to greet Jesus. Philip had been an admirer of Jesus ever since he first came to Capernaum. But Nathaniel, who lived at Cana of Galilee, did not know Jesus. Philip went forward to greet his friends while Nathaniel rested under the shade of a tree by the roadside.
137:2.3 (1526.3) 約翰追隨者間的這場動盪醞釀之時，耶穌和四位門徒-使徒正在去加利利的路上。他們正準備渡過約旦河，經拿因前往拿撒勒，這時，耶穌順著前方道路望向遠處，看到伯賽大的腓力正帶著一位朋友朝他們走來。耶穌從前就認識腓力，四位新使徒也都與他相熟。腓力與朋友拿但業正要去佩拉拜訪約翰，想更多地瞭解傳聞中神之王國即將到來之事，遇見耶穌，他喜出望外。從耶穌初到迦百農起，腓力就一直是他的仰慕者。但家住加利利的迦拿的拿但業並不認識耶穌。腓力上前問候他的朋友們，拿但業則在路邊一棵樹的樹蔭下歇息。
137:2.4 (1526.4) Peter took Philip to one side and proceeded to explain that they, referring to himself, Andrew, James, and John, had all become associates of Jesus in the new kingdom and strongly urged Philip to volunteer for service. Philip was in a quandary. What should he do? Here, without a moment’s warning—on the roadside near the Jordan—there had come up for immediate decision the most momentous question of a lifetime. By this time he was in earnest converse with Peter, Andrew, and John while Jesus was outlining to James the trip through Galilee and on to Capernaum. Finally, Andrew suggested to Philip, “Why not ask the Teacher?”
137:2.4 (1526.4) 彼得把腓力拉到一旁，解釋他們——指他自己、安德魯、詹姆斯和約翰——都已成為耶穌新王國中的夥伴，力勸腓力主動參與服務。腓力陷入了兩難。他該怎麼辦？就在此地——在靠近約旦河的路邊——毫無預警，他一生最重大的難題已擺在眼前，亟待他立即作出決定。此刻，他正與彼得、安德魯和約翰熱切交談，而耶穌則在向詹姆斯講述經由加利利、直往迦百農的行程。最後，安德魯向腓力提議：「何不去問問老師？」
137:2.5 (1526.5) It suddenly dawned on Philip that Jesus was a really great man, possibly the Messiah, and he decided to abide by Jesus’ decision in this matter; and he went straight to him, asking, “Teacher, shall I go down to John or shall I join my friends who follow you?” And Jesus answered, “Follow me.” Philip was thrilled with the assurance that he had found the Deliverer.
137:2.5 (1526.5) 腓力恍然大悟：耶穌是一個真正偉大的人，說不定就是那位彌賽亞。他決定在這件事上遵從耶穌的決定，於是徑直走到耶穌面前，問道：「老師，我是該去找約翰，還是加入這些跟隨你的朋友？」耶穌回答道：「來跟從我吧。」腓力確信自己已找到了那位拯救者，激動不已。
137:2.6 (1526.6) Philip now motioned to the group to remain where they were while he hurried back to break the news of his decision to his friend Nathaniel, who still tarried behind under the mulberry tree, turning over in his mind the many things which he had heard concerning John the Baptist, the coming kingdom, and the expected Messiah. Philip broke in upon these meditations, exclaiming, “I have found the Deliverer, him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote and whom John has proclaimed.” Nathaniel, looking up, inquired, “Whence comes this teacher?” And Philip replied, “He is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, the carpenter, more recently residing at Capernaum.” And then, somewhat shocked, Nathaniel asked, “Can any such good thing come out of Nazareth?” But Philip, taking him by the arm, said, “Come and see.”
137:2.6 (1526.6) 此時腓力示意大家留在原地，自己急忙折返，將自己的決定告訴他的朋友拿但業——拿但業仍落在後面，待在桑樹下，反覆思考著他聽到的關於施洗約翰、即將到來的王國、所期盼的彌賽亞等諸多事情。腓力打斷了他的沉思，大聲說道：「我找到了那位拯救者，就是摩西與諸位先知所寫的、約翰宣稱的那一位。」拿但業抬起頭問道：「這位老師來自哪裡？」腓力回答道：「他就是拿撒勒的耶穌，約瑟的兒子，那位木匠，最近住在迦百農。」拿但業聽了有些震驚，問道：「拿撒勒能出這樣的好事？」腓力卻抓住他的手臂說：「你來看。」
137:2.7 (1527.1) Philip led Nathaniel to Jesus, who, looking benignly into the face of the sincere doubter, said: “Behold a genuine Israelite, in whom there is no deceit. Follow me.” And Nathaniel, turning to Philip, said: “You are right. He is indeed a master of men. I will also follow, if I am worthy.” And Jesus nodded to Nathaniel, again saying, “Follow me.”
137:2.7 (1527.1) 腓力領著拿但業來到耶穌面前。耶穌和善地注視著這位真誠的懷疑者，說道：「看哪，這是個真以色列人，他心裡是沒有詭詐的。來跟從我吧。」 拿但業轉向腓力，說道：「你是對的。他的確深諳人心，能讓人心悅誠服。我若配得，也要跟從他。」 耶穌向拿但業點了點頭，再次說道:「來跟從我吧。」
137:2.8 (1527.2) Jesus had now assembled one half of his future corps of intimate associates, five who had for some time known him and one stranger, Nathaniel. Without further delay they crossed the Jordan and, going by the village of Nain, reached Nazareth late that evening.
137:2.8 (1527.2) 此時耶穌已聚齊了他未來親密夥伴隊伍的一半，包含認識他有些時日的五人，以及一位陌生人拿但業。他們不再耽擱，渡過約旦河，經拿因村，在當晚夜深時抵達拿撒勒。
137:2.9 (1527.3) They all remained overnight with Joseph in Jesus’ boyhood home. The associates of Jesus little understood why their new-found teacher was so concerned with completely destroying every vestige of his writing which remained about the home in the form of the ten commandments and other mottoes and sayings. But this proceeding, together with the fact that they never saw him subsequently write—except upon the dust or in the sand—made a deep impression upon their minds.
137:2.9 (1527.3) 他們都留在約瑟家裡過夜，那裡是耶穌兒時的家。耶穌的夥伴們很不理解，他們新近尋得的老師，為何將徹底毀去他在家中各處留下的每一處手跡，看得如此之重——這些手跡寫的是十誡、其他箴言和語錄。但此舉，連同他們此後也從未見他書寫（除了在塵土或沙上）這一事實，在他們心中留下了深刻的印象。
137:3.1 (1527.4) The next day Jesus sent his apostles on to Cana, since all of them were invited to the wedding of a prominent young woman of that town, while he prepared to pay a hurried visit to his mother at Capernaum, stopping at Magdala to see his brother Jude.
137:3.1 (1527.4) 因為他們都受邀參加迦拿鎮上一位顯赫人家年輕女子的婚禮，次日耶穌便差遣他的使徒們前往迦拿，而他則準備去匆匆探望一下在迦百農的母親，途中在抹大拉停留，看望他的弟弟猶達。
137:3.2 (1527.5) Before leaving Nazareth, the new associates of Jesus told Joseph and other members of Jesus’ family about the wonderful events of the then recent past and gave free expression to their belief that Jesus was the long-expected deliverer. And these members of Jesus’ family talked all this over, and Joseph said: “Maybe, after all, Mother was right—maybe our strange brother is the coming king.”
137:3.2 (1527.5) 離開拿撒勒前，耶穌的新夥伴們將最近發生的許多奇妙事蹟告訴了約瑟和耶穌的其他家人，並毫無保留地表達了他們的信念：耶穌就是那位人們期盼已久的拯救者。耶穌的家人反覆地討論這一切，約瑟說道：「或許，母親終究是對的——或許我們不尋常的兄長就是那位即將到來的王。」
137:3.3 (1527.6) Jude was present at Jesus’ baptism and, with his brother James, had become a firm believer in Jesus’ mission on earth. Although both James and Jude were much perplexed as to the nature of their brother’s mission, their mother had resurrected all her early hopes of Jesus as the Messiah, the son of David, and she encouraged her sons to have faith in their brother as the deliverer of Israel.
137:3.3 (1527.6) 耶穌受洗時猶達在場，他與哥哥詹姆斯兩人都堅信耶穌的世間使命。儘管詹姆斯和猶達對他們兄長使命的本質仍十分困惑，但他們的母親卻重新激起了她早年所有對於耶穌是彌賽亞、大衛子孫的希望，她鼓勵兒子們信他們兄長，認他為以色列的拯救者。
137:3.4 (1527.7) Jesus arrived in Capernaum Monday night, but he did not go to his own home, where lived James and his mother; he went directly to the home of Zebedee. All his friends at Capernaum saw a great and pleasant change in him. Once more he seemed to be comparatively cheerful and more like himself as he was during the earlier years at Nazareth. For years previous to his baptism and the isolation periods just before and just after, he had grown increasingly serious and self-contained. Now he seemed quite like his old self to all of them. There was about him something of majestic import and exalted aspect, but he was once again lighthearted and joyful.
137:3.4 (1527.7) 週一晚上，耶穌抵達迦百農，但他沒有去他自己家——他家住著詹姆斯和他母親——而是直接去了西庇太家。他在迦百農的所有朋友都看到他身上發生了一種極大的、令人愉快的變化。他似乎再度變得較為開朗，更像早年他在拿撒勒時的自己。在他受洗前的那幾年，以及受洗前和受洗後那些隱世獨處的時日裡，他逐漸變得愈發嚴肅、內斂。而如今在眾人眼中，他似乎就像那個從前的他。他周身有著一種莊嚴的意藴與崇高的氣質，但重又變得輕鬆愉快了。
137:3.5 (1528.1) Mary was thrilled with expectation. She anticipated that the promise of Gabriel was nearing fulfillment. She expected all Palestine soon to be startled and stunned by the miraculous revelation of her son as the supernatural king of the Jews. But to all of the many questions which his mother, James, Jude, and Zebedee asked, Jesus only smilingly replied: “It is better that I tarry here for a while; I must do the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
137:3.5 (1528.1) 馬利亞滿懷期待，激動不已。她預期，加百列的應許即將應驗。她期待，整個巴勒斯坦很快就會因她兒子作為超乎自然的猶太人之王的奇蹟顯現，而震驚惶然、錯愕失神。他母親、詹姆斯、猶達和西庇太提了許許多多的問題，但耶穌對這一切只是微笑著回答：「我還是停留此地等待一段時間為好，我必須履行天上我父的旨意。」
137:3.6 (1528.2) On the next day, Tuesday, they all journeyed over to Cana for the wedding of Naomi, which was to take place on the following day. And in spite of Jesus’ repeated warnings that they tell no man about him “until the Father’s hour shall come,” they insisted on quietly spreading the news abroad that they had found the Deliverer. They each confidently expected that Jesus would inaugurate his assumption of Messianic authority at the forthcoming wedding at Cana, and that he would do so with great power and sublime grandeur. They remembered what had been told them about the phenomena attendant upon his baptism, and they believed that his future course on earth would be marked by increasing manifestations of supernatural wonders and miraculous demonstrations. Accordingly, the entire countryside was preparing to gather together at Cana for the wedding feast of Naomi and Johab the son of Nathan.
137:3.6 (1528.2) 第二天，週二，眾人一同前往迦拿參加拿俄米次日將要舉行的婚禮。儘管耶穌一再警告他們，「在父的時刻到來之前」，不要將他的事告訴任何人們有關他的事，但他們仍執意將他們已找到那位拯救者的消息悄悄傳播開去。他們每個人都滿懷信心地期待，耶穌會在即將舉行的迦拿婚禮上，正式開始承擔他的彌賽亞權柄，並要以極大的權能與莊嚴宏偉的氣勢來施行。他們尤記得聽人說的伴隨他受洗出現的種種現象；他們相信，他未來在世間的道路，必會以越來越多地顯現超自然奇事與奇蹟展示為標誌。於是，整個鄉村地區都在準備聚集到迦拿，參加拿俄米與納森之子約哈布的婚宴。
137:3.7 (1528.3) Mary had not been so joyous in years. She journeyed to Cana in the spirit of the queen mother on the way to witness the coronation of her son. Not since he was thirteen years old had Jesus’ family and friends seen him so carefree and happy, so thoughtful and understanding of the wishes and desires of his associates, so touchingly sympathetic. And so they all whispered among themselves, in small groups, wondering what was going to happen. What would this strange person do next? How would he usher in the glory of the coming kingdom? And they were all thrilled with the thought that they were to be present to see the revelation of the might and power of Israel’s God.
137:3.7 (1528.3) 馬利亞已許多年沒有如此欣喜。她前往迦拿，心境如同太后去見證兒子的加冕典禮。自耶穌十三歲以後，他的家人和朋友從未見過他如此自在、快樂，如此體貼、理解同伴們的心願與渴望，如此感人地體恤。於是眾人三五成群低聲交談，好奇接下來會發生什麼。這個奇異的人接下來會做什麼？他要如何開啟那將臨王國的榮耀？想到自己將要親眼看見以色列的神彰顯力量與權能，所有人都滿心激動。
137:4.1 (1528.4) By noon on Wednesday almost a thousand guests had arrived in Cana, more than four times the number bidden to the wedding feast. It was a Jewish custom to celebrate weddings on Wednesday, and the invitations had been sent abroad for the wedding one month previously. In the forenoon and early afternoon it appeared more like a public reception for Jesus than a wedding. Everybody wanted to greet this near-famous Galilean, and he was most cordial to all, young and old, Jew and gentile. And everybody rejoiced when Jesus consented to lead the preliminary wedding procession.
137:4.1 (1528.4) 到週三中午，已有近一千名賓客到了迦拿，是應邀參加婚宴人數的四倍多。在週三舉辦婚禮是猶太人的一個習俗，而邀請參加這場婚禮的請柬早在一個月前就發出了。在上午和早午時，婚禮現場看起來更像是耶穌的公眾接待會，而不是一場婚禮。每個人都想問候這位小有名氣的加利利人，他也對每個人都熱忱友好 ，無論老少，無論是猶太人還是外邦人。當耶穌同意帶領婚禮的預備遊行隊伍時，眾人無不歡喜。
137:4.2 (1528.5) Jesus was now thoroughly self-conscious regarding his human existence, his divine pre-existence, and the status of his combined, or fused, human and divine natures. With perfect poise he could at one moment enact the human role or immediately assume the personality prerogatives of the divine nature.
137:4.2 (1528.5) 耶穌如今已完全自我覺知自己的人性存在、神性先存，以及人性與神性兩種本性結合或是說融合的狀態。他可以完美地平衡這兩者，這一刻扮演人類角色，下一刻即行使神性本性所具的人格特權。
137:4.3 (1528.6) As the day wore on, Jesus became increasingly conscious that the people were expecting him to perform some wonder; more especially he recognized that his family and his six disciple-apostles were looking for him appropriately to announce his forthcoming kingdom by some startling and supernatural manifestation.
137:4.3 (1528.6) 隨著這一天慢慢過去，耶穌愈發明顯地察覺眾人在期待他行奇事；尤其是他認識到，他的家人和六位門徒-使徒在期待他透過某種驚人的、超自然的顯現，正式宣吿他即將到來的王國。
137:4.4 (1529.1) Early in the afternoon Mary summoned James, and together they made bold to approach Jesus to inquire if he would admit them to his confidence to the extent of informing them at what hour and at what point in connection with the wedding ceremonies he had planned to manifest himself as the “supernatural one.” No sooner had they spoken of these matters to Jesus than they saw they had aroused his characteristic indignation. He said only: “If you love me, then be willing to tarry with me while I wait upon the will of my Father who is in heaven.” But the eloquence of his rebuke lay in the expression of his face.
137:4.4 (1529.1) 早午時，馬利亞叫來詹姆斯，二人鼓起勇氣上前見耶穌，問他是否願意對他們敞開心意，告訴他們，他打算在婚禮儀式的哪個時刻、哪個環節，顯現自己是「超乎自然的那一位」。他們才剛向耶穌提及這些事，就看到這已激起他特有的義憤。他只說道：「你們若愛我，那麼，在我靜候天上我父的旨意時，要甘願與我一起停留於此。」但他臉上的神情顯出責備之意。
137:4.5 (1529.2) This move of his mother was a great disappointment to the human Jesus, and he was much sobered by his reaction to her suggestive proposal that he permit himself to indulge in some outward demonstration of his divinity. That was one of the very things he had decided not to do when so recently isolated in the hills. For several hours Mary was much depressed. She said to James: “I cannot understand him; what can it all mean? Is there no end to his strange conduct?” James and Jude tried to comfort their mother, while Jesus withdrew for an hour’s solitude. But he returned to the gathering and was once more lighthearted and joyous.
137:4.5 (1529.2) 母親的這番舉動，使人性的耶穌極為失望；他對於她的指示性提議——要他允許自己順他人所願做一些外在展示自己神性之事——的反應，也使他自己變得非常冷靜自持。這件事，正是他不久前在山上隱世獨處時決定絕不做的其中一項。連續幾個小時馬利亞都情緒低落。她對詹姆斯說：「我無法理解他；這一切究竟是什麼意思？他這種奇怪的行為，難道沒有盡頭？」詹姆斯和猶達試著安慰母親，耶穌則退到一旁獨處一個小時。但他隨後便回到聚會人群之中，重又恢復輕鬆愉快。
137:4.6 (1529.3) The wedding proceeded with a hush of expectancy, but the entire ceremony was finished and not a move, not a word, from the honored guest. Then it was whispered about that the carpenter and boatbuilder, announced by John as “the Deliverer,” would show his hand during the evening festivities, perhaps at the wedding supper. But all expectance of such a demonstration was effectually removed from the minds of his six disciple-apostles when he called them together just before the wedding supper and, in great earnestness, said: “Think not that I have come to this place to work some wonder for the gratification of the curious or for the conviction of those who doubt. Rather are we here to wait upon the will of our Father who is in heaven.” But when Mary and the others saw him in consultation with his associates, they were fully persuaded in their own minds that something extraordinary was about to happen. And they all sat down to enjoy the wedding supper and the evening of festive good fellowship.
137:4.6 (1529.3) 婚禮在一片滿有期盼的靜謐中進行著；但整個儀式都完成了，這位尊貴的客人始終沒有任何舉動或言語。於是眾人私下傳言：這位約翰宣吿是「那位拯救者」的木匠和造船匠，要在晚上的慶祝活動中一展身手，或許是在婚禮晚宴上。然而，在婚禮晚宴開始前，他召集六位門徒-使徒，非常認真地說了一番話，切實有效地打消了他們心中對於這類展示的一切期待：「不要以為，我來此是要行奇事，來滿足好奇之人，或是讓那些懷疑之人信服。我們在這裡，是為等候天上我們父的旨意。」可是，馬利亞和其他人看見他與同伴商量，心中都堅信某種非同尋常的事即將發生。於是他們都坐下來享受婚禮晚餐，以及這充滿喜慶美好情誼的夜晚。
137:4.7 (1529.4) The father of the bridegroom had provided plenty of wine for all the guests bidden to the marriage feast, but how was he to know that the marriage of his son was to become an event so closely associated with the expected manifestation of Jesus as the Messianic deliverer? He was delighted to have the honor of numbering the celebrated Galilean among his guests, but before the wedding supper was over, the servants brought him the disconcerting news that the wine was running short. By the time the formal supper had ended and the guests were strolling about in the garden, the mother of the bridegroom confided to Mary that the supply of wine was exhausted. And Mary confidently said: “Have no worry—I will speak to my son. He will help us.” And thus did she presume to speak, notwithstanding the rebuke of but a few hours before.
137:4.7 (1529.4) 新郎的父親為婚宴的受邀賓客備足了酒，但他哪能知道，兒子的這場婚禮，竟會成為一件與人們期盼耶穌作為彌賽亞拯救者顯現如此緊密關聯的事件呢？他非常高興能榮幸地邀請到這位聞名的加利利人做賓客；但是，婚禮晚宴尚未結束，僕人卻給他帶來一個令人尷尬的消息：酒要不夠了。到正式的晚宴結束、賓客們在花園閒逛時，新郎的母親向馬利亞吐露，酒已經用完了。馬利亞信心十足地說：「不用擔心——我會去跟我兒子說，他會幫我們的。」她擅自這樣說，儘管幾個小時前才受過責備。
137:4.8 (1529.5) Throughout a period of many years, Mary had always turned to Jesus for help in every crisis of their home life at Nazareth so that it was only natural for her to think of him at this time. But this ambitious mother had still other motives for appealing to her eldest son on this occasion. As Jesus was standing alone in a corner of the garden, his mother approached him, saying, “My son, they have no wine.” And Jesus answered, “My good woman, what have I to do with that?” Said Mary, “But I believe your hour has come; cannot you help us?” Jesus replied: “Again I declare that I have not come to do things in this wise. Why do you trouble me again with these matters?” And then, breaking down in tears, Mary entreated him, “But, my son, I promised them that you would help us; won’t you please do something for me?” And then spoke Jesus: “Woman, what have you to do with making such promises? See that you do it not again. We must in all things wait upon the will of the Father in heaven.”
137:4.8 (1529.5) 過往經年，每逢拿撒勒家中的生活遭遇危機，馬利亞總是向耶穌求助，是以她此時很自然地想到他。但這位雄心勃勃的母親在這一場合向她長子請求還有其他動機。耶穌獨自站在花園的一個角落，這時他母親走近他，說道：「我的兒子，他們沒酒了。」耶穌回答道：「這位女士，我與這有什麼相干？」馬利亞說道：「但我相信你的時侯已到了，你難道不能幫我們嗎？」耶穌回答道：「我再次聲明，我來，並不是要這樣行事。你為何又用這些事來攪擾我呢？」馬利亞聽後不禁淚下，懇求他說：「可是，我的兒子，我答應了他們你會幫我們；你難道不能為我做點什麼嗎？」耶穌便說：「女士，你與作這樣的承諾有什麼相干？務必留心，不要再這樣做了。凡事我們都必須等候天上父的旨意。」
137:4.9 (1530.1) Mary the mother of Jesus was crushed; she was stunned! As she stood there before him motionless, with the tears streaming down her face, the human heart of Jesus was overcome with compassion for the woman who had borne him in the flesh; and bending forward, he laid his hand tenderly upon her head, saying: “Now, now, Mother Mary, grieve not over my apparently hard sayings, for have I not many times told you that I have come only to do the will of my heavenly Father? Most gladly would I do what you ask of me if it were a part of the Father’s will—” and Jesus stopped short, he hesitated. Mary seemed to sense that something was happening. Leaping up, she threw her arms around Jesus’ neck, kissed him, and rushed off to the servants’ quarters, saying, “Whatever my son says, that do.” But Jesus said nothing. He now realized that he had already said—or rather desirefully thought—too much.
137:4.9 (1530.1) 耶穌的母親馬利亞備受打擊，她驚呆了！她站立在耶穌面前，一動不動，淚水從臉頰流下。耶穌人性的心，籠罩著對這位生養他肉身的婦人的悲憫；他俯下身，手溫柔地輕撫在她頭上，說：「好了，好了，馬利亞母親，不要因為我那些聽起來嚴厲的話傷心。我不是多次跟你說過，我來，只為履行我天父的旨意嗎？倘若你向我請求的屬於上父旨意，我會非常樂意照做——」耶穌忽然停下，遲疑了。馬利亞似乎感覺到有什麼事將要發生。她猛地上前，伸出雙臂摟住耶穌的脖子，親吻他，然後跑到僕人的地方，說：「我兒子告訴你們什麼，你們就做什麼。」但耶穌一言不發。他此時意識到自己已說得太多了——更確切地說，是渴望之念過多了。
137:4.10 (1530.2) Mary was dancing with glee. She did not know how the wine would be produced, but she confidently believed that she had finally persuaded her first-born son to assert his authority, to dare to step forth and claim his position and exhibit his Messianic power. And, because of the presence and association of certain universe powers and personalities, of which all those present were wholly ignorant, she was not to be disappointed. The wine Mary desired and which Jesus, the God-man, humanly and sympathetically wished for, was forthcoming.
137:4.10 (1530.2) 馬利亞歡喜雀躍。她並不知道酒要如何造出來，但她充滿信心地相信自己終於說服了長子，來證明他的權柄，挺身而出，宣告他的身份，顯出他彌賽亞的權能。而由於有某些宇宙力量與人格的臨在與關聯——在場眾人對此全然不知——她終不會失望。馬利亞所渴望的這酒，神-人耶穌以人性和同情心所願有的酒，就要出現了。
137:4.11 (1530.3) Near at hand stood six waterpots of stone, filled with water, holding about twenty gallons apiece. This water was intended for subsequent use in the final purification ceremonies of the wedding celebration. The commotion of the servants about these huge stone vessels, under the busy direction of his mother, attracted Jesus’ attention, and going over, he observed that they were drawing wine out of them by the pitcherful.
137:4.11 (1530.3) 近旁有六口盛滿水的石缸，每口缸大約能裝二十加侖。這些缸裡的水原本是留作婚禮慶典最後的淨化儀式之用。在他母親忙碌的指揮下，僕人們圍著這些碩大的石容器忙亂著，這引起了耶穌的注意；他走上前，看見他們正從那些石缸中一壺壺地舀出酒來。
137:4.12 (1530.4) It was gradually dawning upon Jesus what had happened. Of all persons present at the marriage feast of Cana, Jesus was the most surprised. Others had expected him to work a wonder, but that was just what he had purposed not to do. And then the Son of Man recalled the admonition of his Personalized Thought Adjuster in the hills. He recounted how the Adjuster had warned him about the inability of any power or personality to deprive him of the creator prerogative of independence of time. On this occasion power transformers, midwayers, and all other required personalities were assembled near the water and other necessary elements, and in the face of the expressed wish of the Universe Creator Sovereign, there was no escaping the instantaneous appearance of wine. And this occurrence was made doubly certain since the Personalized Adjuster had signified that the execution of the Son’s desire was in no way a contravention of the Father’s will.
137:4.12 (1530.4) 耶穌漸漸明白發生了什麼。在迦拿婚禮所有在場的人當中，耶穌是最感驚訝的。其他人都期待他行奇事，但那正是他立意不去做的。隨後，人子回想起在山中時他人格化調整者的警示。他想起調整者如何提醒他，任何力量或人格都不具備能力，剝奪他不受時間約束這一造物者特權。這一次，力量轉換者、中道者和所有其他所需的人格，被召集到水和其他必要元素近旁，面對這位宇宙造物者、主權者所表露的心願，不可避免地，酒 瞬間出現了。這件事的發生，更添了一重確定，因為人格化的調整者先前已表明，實現聖子的願望，絲毫不違背上父的旨意。
137:4.13 (1530.5) But this was in no sense a miracle. No law of nature was modified, abrogated, or even transcended. Nothing happened but the abrogation of time in association with the celestial assembly of the chemical elements requisite for the elaboration of the wine. At Cana on this occasion the agents of the Creator made wine just as they do by the ordinary natural processes except that they did it independently of time and with the intervention of superhuman agencies in the matter of the space assembly of the necessary chemical ingredients.
137:4.13 (1530.5) 不過，這絕不是一個奇蹟。它沒有改變、廢止或超越任何自然法則。所發生的，只是天人在彙集釀酒所需化學元素時，取消了時間。在迦拿這次事件裡，造物者的執行人員造出酒，與他們依照平常的自然流程無異；唯有 兩點差別：他們做這一切不受時間約束，並且由超人類執行者介入，在空間中彙集必要的化學要素。
137:4.14 (1531.1) Furthermore it was evident that the enactment of this so-called miracle was not contrary to the will of the Paradise Father, else it would not have transpired, since Jesus had already subjected himself in all things to the Father’s will.
137:4.14 (1531.1) 再者，顯而易見，這件所謂奇蹟的發生，與天堂父親的旨意並不相悖，否則這事便不會發生，因為耶穌已在一切事上服從於上父的旨意。
137:4.15 (1531.2) When the servants drew this new wine and carried it to the best man, the “ruler of the feast,” and when he had tasted it, he called to the bridegroom, saying: “It is the custom to set out first the good wine and, when the guests have well drunk, to bring forth the inferior fruit of the vine; but you have kept the best of the wine until the last of the feast.”
137:4.15 (1531.2) 僕人舀出這新酒，拿給總管（即筵席監理）。他嘗過後，便喊新郎來，說道：「通常習俗是先擺上好酒，等賓客喝足了，再端上較次的葡萄酒；但你倒把最好的酒留到筵席最後。」
137:4.16 (1531.3) Mary and the disciples of Jesus were greatly rejoiced at the supposed miracle which they thought Jesus had intentionally performed, but Jesus withdrew to a sheltered nook of the garden and engaged in serious thought for a few brief moments. He finally decided that the episode was beyond his personal control under the circumstances and, not being adverse to his Father’s will, was inevitable. When he returned to the people, they regarded him with awe; they all believed in him as the Messiah. But Jesus was sorely perplexed, knowing that they believed in him only because of the unusual occurrence which they had just inadvertently beheld. Again Jesus retired for a season to the housetop that he might think it all over.
137:4.16 (1531.3) 馬利亞和耶穌的門徒為這設想中的神蹟滿心歡喜，他們以為那是耶穌有意施展的；然而耶穌卻退到花園的一處隱蔽角落，認真思考片刻。他最終斷定：在這種情況下，這一事件超出了他個人的掌控，並不違背上父的旨意，是不可避免的。當他返回人群之中，人們都帶著敬畏看待他，他們都相信他就是彌賽亞。但耶穌內心深感困擾，他知道，眾人信他，只因為剛才無意間目睹了這樁不尋常的事。耶穌再次退開人群，到屋頂上待一陣，他要把這一切好好思索一番。
137:4.17 (1531.4) Jesus now fully comprehended that he must constantly be on guard lest his indulgence of sympathy and pity become responsible for repeated episodes of this sort. Nevertheless, many similar events occurred before the Son of Man took final leave of his mortal life in the flesh.
137:4.17 (1531.4) 耶穌此時已完全醒悟，他必須時刻保持警醒自持，以免因放任自己的同理心與惻隱之心，而一再引發此類事件。儘管如此，在人子徹底告別他肉身中的凡人生命以前，還是發生了許多類似的事。
137:5.1 (1531.5) Though many of the guests remained for the full week of wedding festivities, Jesus, with his newly chosen disciple-apostles—James, John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel—departed very early the next morning for Capernaum, going away without taking leave of anyone. Jesus’ family and all his friends in Cana were much distressed because he so suddenly left them, and Jude, Jesus’ youngest brother, set out in search of him. Jesus and his apostles went directly to the home of Zebedee at Bethsaida. On this journey Jesus talked over many things of importance to the coming kingdom with his newly chosen associates and especially warned them to make no mention of the turning of the water into wine. He also advised them to avoid the cities of Sepphoris and Tiberias in their future work.
137:5.1 (1531.5) 雖然有許多賓客留下來參加整週的婚禮慶祝活動，但耶穌和他新近選的門徒-使徒——詹姆斯、約翰、安德魯、彼得、腓力和拿但業——第二天一早便動身前往迦百農，離開時未向任何人道別。耶穌的家人和他所有迦拿的朋友都因他如此突然離開而憂心忡忡，耶穌最小的弟弟猶達便出發去尋找他。耶穌和使徒們直接去了伯賽大的西庇太家中。行程中，耶穌與這些新近選定的夥伴們細談了許多與即將到來的王國息息相關的要事，並特別告誡他們不要跟人提水變酒的事。他還建議他們，在未來的工作中要避開塞佛瑞斯和提比裡亞這兩個城市。
137:5.2 (1531.6) After supper that evening, in this home of Zebedee and Salome, there was held one of the most important conferences of all Jesus’ earthly career. Only the six apostles were present at this meeting; Jude arrived as they were about to separate. These six chosen men had journeyed from Cana to Bethsaida with Jesus, walking, as it were, on air. They were alive with expectancy and thrilled with the thought of having been selected as close associates of the Son of Man. But when Jesus set out to make clear to them who he was and what was to be his mission on earth and how it might possibly end, they were stunned. They could not grasp what he was telling them. They were speechless; even Peter was crushed beyond expression. Only the deep-thinking Andrew dared to make reply to Jesus’ words of counsel. When Jesus perceived that they did not comprehend his message, when he saw that their ideas of the Jewish Messiah were so completely crystallized, he sent them to their rest while he walked and talked with his brother Jude. And before Jude took leave of Jesus, he said with much feeling: “My father-brother, I never have understood you. I do not know of a certainty whether you are what my mother has taught us, and I do not fully comprehend the coming kingdom, but I do know you are a mighty man of God. I heard the voice at the Jordan, and I am a believer in you, no matter who you are.” And when he had spoken, he departed, going to his own home at Magdala.
137:5.2 (1531.6) 當晚晚飯後，在西庇太和撒羅米的家中，舉行了一場會議，這是耶穌整個世間生涯最重要的會議之一。這次會議，使徒中只有六位在場；就在他們快要散會時，猶達趕到了。這六位蒙選的人與耶穌一起從迦拿走到伯賽大，簡直如同行走在雲裡。他們滿懷期待，一想到自己被選為人子的親密夥伴，他們就激動不已。但當耶穌開始向他們闡明他是誰、他在世間的使命是什麼以及這使命可能會如何結束時，他們都驚呆了。他們無法理解他所說的。他們全都說不出話來，就連彼得也被驚到無法言喻。唯有深入思考的安德魯敢回應耶穌的勸誡之語。耶穌察覺到他們並未領會他傳達的訊息，看他們對猶太人彌賽亞的觀念是如此的固化，他便讓他們去休息，自己則出去與弟弟猶達一起散步、交談。向耶穌辭別前，猶達滿懷深情地說道：「我的父兄，我從未曾真正明白你。我並不確定你是否就如母親曾教導我們的那樣，也不完全明白即將到來的王國，但我確知你是一位屬神的大能之人。我在約旦河聽見了那聲音，我信服你，無論你是誰。」說完這番話，他便啟程前往抹大拉自己家。
137:5.3 (1532.1) That night Jesus did not sleep. Donning his evening wraps, he sat out on the lake shore thinking, thinking until the dawn of the next day. In the long hours of that night of meditation Jesus came clearly to comprehend that he never would be able to make his followers see him in any other light than as the long-expected Messiah. At last he recognized that there was no way to launch his message of the kingdom except as the fulfillment of John’s prediction and as the one for whom the Jews were looking. After all, though he was not the Davidic type of Messiah, he was truly the fulfillment of the prophetic utterances of the more spiritually minded of the olden seers. Never again did he wholly deny that he was the Messiah. He decided to leave the final untangling of this complicated situation to the outworking of the Father’s will.
137:5.3 (1532.1) 那一夜，耶穌不曾睡。他披上晚間的外袍，坐在湖邊沉思，一直思索到次日拂曉。在那漫長的沉思之夜，耶穌清楚地領悟到：他永遠無法讓他的追隨者以別的眼光看待他，他們只會將他視為人們期盼已久的彌賽亞。最後，他終於認識到，要展開他王國的訊息，只能以約翰的預言應驗、以猶太人所期待的那位的身份來啟動。畢竟，雖然他並非大衛後裔類型的彌賽亞，但確實是應驗了古時先見者當中那些心智取向更靈性的人所傳下的預言話語。從此，他不再全然否認自己是彌賽亞。他決定將這複雜局面的最終釐清，交給上父旨意的逐步成就。
137:5.4 (1532.2) The next morning Jesus joined his friends at breakfast, but they were a cheerless group. He visited with them and at the end of the meal gathered them about him, saying: “It is my Father’s will that we tarry hereabouts for a season. You have heard John say that he came to prepare the way for the kingdom; therefore it behooves us to await the completion of John’s preaching. When the forerunner of the Son of Man shall have finished his work, we will begin the proclamation of the good tidings of the kingdom.” He directed his apostles to return to their nets while he made ready to go with Zebedee to the boatshop, promising to see them the next day at the synagogue, where he was to speak, and appointing a conference with them that Sabbath afternoon.
137:5.4 (1532.2) 次日早晨，耶穌和朋友們一起吃早餐，但他們卻無精打采。他與他們聊天；早餐後還將他們召集在身邊，說道：「依我父的旨意，我們要在這一帶停留一段時間。你們早就聽約翰說過，他來，是為王國鋪路；因此，我們需要等待約翰傳道的事工完成。當人子的先行者完成他的工作，我們就要開始宣揚王國的佳音。」他吩咐使徒們回去打漁，而他則預備與西庇太同往造船坊，並答應次日在猶太會堂見面，他要在那裡發表講話，還約定當日安息日下午與他們進行會談。
137:6.1 (1532.3) Jesus’ first public appearance following his baptism was in the Capernaum synagogue on Sabbath, March 2, a.d. 26. The synagogue was crowded to overflowing. The story of the baptism in the Jordan was now augmented by the fresh news from Cana about the water and the wine. Jesus gave seats of honor to his six apostles, and seated with them were his brothers in the flesh James and Jude. His mother, having returned to Capernaum with James the evening before, was also present, being seated in the women’s section of the synagogue. The entire audience was on edge; they expected to behold some extraordinary manifestation of supernatural power which would be a fitting testimony to the nature and authority of him who was that day to speak to them. But they were destined to disappointment.
137:6.1 (1532.3) 耶穌受洗以後首次公開露面，是在西元26年3月2日安息日這天，在迦百農的猶太會堂。會堂內擠滿了人。在約旦河受洗的事蹟，如今又因來自迦拿的關於水和酒的新消息，而得以加強。耶穌將尊榮座位給了六位使徒，與他們坐在一起的是他肉身的兄弟詹姆斯和猶達。他母親前一晚與詹姆斯一起回到迦百農，也在場，坐在會堂婦人區。全體聽眾都緊張期盼；那天向他們講話的這位，他們期待見到他非凡地顯現超自然力量，這將是對他本質與權柄的合宜見證。但他們註定要失望。
137:6.2 (1532.4) When Jesus stood up, the ruler of the synagogue handed him the Scripture roll, and he read from the Prophet Isaiah: “Thus says the Lord: ‘The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you built for me? And where is the place of my dwelling? All these things have my hands made,’ says the Lord. ‘But to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.’ Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble and fear: ‘Your brethren hated you and cast you out for my name’s sake.’ But let the Lord be glorified. He shall appear to you in joy, and all others shall be ashamed. A voice from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice from the Lord says: ‘Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.’ Who has heard such a thing? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or can a nation be born at once? But thus says the Lord: ‘Behold I will extend peace like a river, and the glory of even the gentiles shall be like a flowing stream. As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you. And you shall be comforted even in Jerusalem. And when you see these things, your heart shall rejoice.’”
137:6.2 (1532.4) 耶穌站起來的時候，會堂監理將經卷遞給他，他便朗讀《先知以賽亞書》中的內容：「上主如此說：『天是我的座位，地是我的腳凳。你們要為我造的殿宇在哪裡？哪裡是我安居的地方？這一切都是我手所造的。』上主說：『但我所看顧的，是貧窮、痛悔、因我話而戰兢的人。』你們因上主的話而戰兢的人當聽他的話：『你們的弟兄就是恨惡你們，因我名趕出你們。』但是，願上主得榮耀。他必在喜樂中向你們顯現，其他人必蒙羞。有聲音出自城中，有聲音出於殿中，有聲音出自上主說：『她未曾劬勞就生產，未曾疼痛就生出男孩。』這樣的事誰曾聽見？地豈能一日而成？民族豈能一時而生？但上主如此說：『看哪，我要使平安延伸，好像江河，就連外邦人的榮耀也必如同漲溢的河。母親怎樣安慰兒子，我就照樣安慰你們。甚至在耶路撒冷你們也必得安慰，你們看見這些，就心中快樂。』」
137:6.3 (1533.1) When he had finished this reading, Jesus handed the roll back to its keeper. Before sitting down, he simply said: “Be patient and you shall see the glory of God; even so shall it be with all those who tarry with me and thus learn to do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” And the people went to their homes, wondering what was the meaning of all this.
137:6.3 (1533.1) 讀完這些經文，耶穌就把經卷交還給保管者。在坐下之前，他只簡單說道：「要有耐心，你們必將見到神的榮耀；凡與我一同等候、藉此學習履行天上我父旨意的人，也必同樣如此。」眾人各自回家，心中納悶這究竟是什麽意思。
137:6.4 (1533.2) That afternoon Jesus and his apostles, with James and Jude, entered a boat and pulled down the shore a little way, where they anchored while he talked to them about the coming kingdom. And they understood more than they had on Thursday night.
137:6.4 (1533.2) 那天下午，耶穌同使徒，連同詹姆斯和猶達，一起登上一條船，沿著岸邊划行了一小段距離，然後下錨，耶穌就在那裡向他們講述即將到來的王國。這一回他們比週四晚上領會得更多了。
137:6.5 (1533.3) Jesus instructed them to take up their regular duties until “the hour of the kingdom comes.” And to encourage them, he set an example by going back regularly to work in the boatshop. In explaining that they should spend three hours every evening in study and preparation for their future work, Jesus further said: “We will all remain hereabout until the Father bids me call you. Each of you must now return to his accustomed work just as if nothing had happened. Tell no man about me and remember that my kingdom is not to come with noise and glamor, but rather must it come through the great change which my Father will have wrought in your hearts and in the hearts of those who shall be called to join you in the councils of the kingdom. You are now my friends; I trust you and I love you; you are soon to become my personal associates. Be patient, be gentle. Be ever obedient to the Father’s will. Make yourselves ready for the call of the kingdom. While you will experience great joy in the service of my Father, you should also be prepared for trouble, for I warn you that it will be only through much tribulation that many will enter the kingdom. But those who have found the kingdom, their joy will be full, and they shall be called the blest of all the earth. But do not entertain false hope; the world will stumble at my words. Even you, my friends, do not fully perceive what I am unfolding to your confused minds. Make no mistake; we go forth to labor for a generation of sign seekers. They will demand wonder-working as the proof that I am sent by my Father, and they will be slow to recognize in the revelation of my Father’s love the credentials of my mission.”
137:6.5 (1533.3) 耶穌吩咐他們重新擔起原本的日常職責，等候「王國的時刻到來」。為了鼓勵他們，他以身作則，規律性回船坊工作。耶穌向他們說明，應每晚撥出三個小時，用來學習、為日後的工作作準備，並進一步說：「我們都要留在這一帶，直到上父吩咐我召喚你們。現在你們各人都必須回到自己的慣常工作中，彷彿什麼都沒發生。不要向任何人講述我的事；要記住，我的王國不會帶著喧囂和眩惑表象而來，相反，它的到來，是透過我父在你們心中、在那些受到召喚與你們一起參與王國議事之人的心中，造就巨大的改變。你們現在是我的朋友；我信任你們，我愛你們；你們很快會成為我親近的夥伴。要有耐心，要溫和。要始終服從於上父的旨意。要作好準備，迎接王國的召喚。在為我父服務的過程中，你們將體驗到極大的喜悅；但同時也應準備好面對困擾，因為我要提醒你們，許多人唯有經歷諸多磨難，才會進入王國。但那些已找見王國的人，他們的喜悅將是滿的，他們要被稱為全地最有福的人。但不要抱有虛假的希望，這個世界會因我的話而絆跌。即使是作為朋友的你們，也未完全領會我向你們混亂的頭腦所揭示的。切莫誤判；我們要為之辛勞的，是一個追求看神蹟的世代。他們會要求行奇事作為證據，證明我是我父差來的；他們要在對我父之愛的揭示中辨認出我使命的憑證，會很遲緩。」
137:6.6 (1533.4) That evening, when they had returned to the land, before they went their way, Jesus, standing by the water’s edge, prayed: “My Father, I thank you for these little ones who, in spite of their doubts, even now believe. And for their sakes have I set myself apart to do your will. And now may they learn to be one, even as we are one.”
137:6.6 (1533.4) 那晚，當他們回到岸上，在各自離去之前，耶穌站在水邊，祈禱道：「我的父，我為這些小子感謝你，他們雖心存疑惑，但此時仍然相信。為他們的緣故，我讓自己專只履行你的旨意。此刻，願他們學習合而為一，正如我們是一體。」
137:7.1 (1533.5) For four long months—March, April, May, and June—this tarrying time continued; Jesus held over one hundred long and earnest, though cheerful and joyous, sessions with these six associates and his own brother James. Owing to sickness in his family, Jude seldom was able to attend these classes. James, Jesus’ brother, did not lose faith in him, but during these months of delay and inaction Mary nearly despaired of her son. Her faith, raised to such heights at Cana, now sank to new low levels. She could only fall back on her so oft-repeated exclamation: “I cannot understand him. I cannot figure out what it all means.” But James’s wife did much to bolster Mary’s courage.
137:7.1 (1533.5) 這段停留的時日持續了四個月之久——三月、四月、五月和六月；耶穌與六個夥伴、自己的弟弟詹姆斯，一起舉行了一百多場充滿真誠熱忱卻又歡快喜樂的長講習會。猶達因家中有人生病，很少能來參加這些課程。耶穌的弟弟詹姆斯並未喪失對他的信；但在這停滯、無所作為的幾個月裡，馬利亞幾乎對她兒子失去了信心。她的信，在迦拿時被抬到如此高度，此時卻沉到前所未有的低點。她只能退而訴諸她一再重複的感歎：「我無法理解他。我不明白這一切意味著什麼。」但詹姆斯的妻子極力鼓舞馬利亞的勇氣。
137:7.2 (1534.1) Throughout these four months these seven believers, one his own brother in the flesh, were getting acquainted with Jesus; they were getting used to the idea of living with this God-man. Though they called him Rabbi, they were learning not to be afraid of him. Jesus possessed that matchless grace of personality which enabled him so to live among them that they were not dismayed by his divinity. They found it really easy to be “friends with God,” God incarnate in the likeness of mortal flesh. This time of waiting severely tested the entire group of believers. Nothing, absolutely nothing, miraculous happened. Day by day they went about their ordinary work, while night after night they sat at Jesus’ feet. And they were held together by his matchless personality and by the gracious words which he spoke to them evening upon evening.
137:7.2 (1534.1) 在這四個月裡，這七位信者——其中一位是他自己肉身中的兄弟——逐漸開始了解耶穌；他們逐漸習慣了與這位神-人一起生活這一想法。儘管他們稱他「拉比」，但慢慢學著不畏懼他。耶穌擁有那種無與倫比的人格魅力，使他能與他們共處，而他們並不會因他的神性感到恐慌。他們發現，「與神為友」——神化身為凡人肉身之形——其實很容易。這段等待的時日，嚴峻考驗了整個信者群體。沒有任何神奇之事發生，完全沒有。他們日復一日做著日常工作，夜復一夜地坐在耶穌腳前。是他無與倫比的人格，以及每個夜晚對他們說的恩慈話語，將他們團結在一起。
137:7.3 (1534.2) This period of waiting and teaching was especially hard on Simon Peter. He repeatedly sought to persuade Jesus to launch forth with the preaching of the kingdom in Galilee while John continued to preach in Judea. But Jesus’ reply to Peter ever was: “Be patient, Simon. Make progress. We shall be none too ready when the Father calls.” And Andrew would calm Peter now and then with his more seasoned and philosophic counsel. Andrew was tremendously impressed with the human naturalness of Jesus. He never grew weary of contemplating how one who could live so near God could be so friendly and considerate of men.
137:7.3 (1534.2) 這段等待、教導的時期，尤其令西門·彼得備受煎熬。他屢次試圖說服耶穌，趁約翰仍在猶地亞傳道，在加利利展開對王國的宣講。但耶穌對彼得的答覆始終是：「要耐心，西門。要進步。待到上父召喚時，我們也未必完全準備好。」安德魯不時以他更成熟、達觀的勸告安撫彼得。耶穌身上的那份人性自然，令安德魯深受觸動。他不知疲倦地反覆思索：一個與神如此接近的人，何以能對人如此友好、體貼。
137:7.4 (1534.3) Throughout this entire period Jesus spoke in the synagogue but twice. By the end of these many weeks of waiting the reports about his baptism and the wine of Cana had begun to quiet down. And Jesus saw to it that no more apparent miracles happened during this time. But even though they lived so quietly at Bethsaida, reports of the strange doings of Jesus had been carried to Herod Antipas, who in turn sent spies to ascertain what he was about. But Herod was more concerned about the preaching of John. He decided not to molest Jesus, whose work continued along so quietly at Capernaum.
137:7.4 (1534.3) 在此期間，耶穌在猶太會堂總共只講過兩次道。經過這麼多星期的等待，關於他受洗和迦拿的酒的傳聞已開始平息。耶穌也刻意確保在這段時日不再發生任何明顯的奇蹟。儘管他們在伯賽大過著如此平靜的生活，關於耶穌種種奇異作為的消息，還是傳到了希律·安提帕斯那裡；希律隨即派出密探，探查他究竟在做什麼。不過希律更關注約翰的傳道。他決定不對耶穌出手，因耶穌的事工在迦百農進行得如此低調。
137:7.5 (1534.4) In this time of waiting Jesus endeavored to teach his associates what their attitude should be toward the various religious groups and the political parties of Palestine. Jesus’ words always were, “We are seeking to win all of them, but we are not of any of them.”
137:7.5 (1534.4) 在這段等待的時日裡，耶穌盡力教導他的夥伴們，面對巴勒斯坦各個不同的宗教團體和政治派系，應抱持什麽樣的態度。耶穌的話語一貫都是：「我們要爭取所有人，但我們不屬於他們任何一方。」
137:7.6 (1534.5) The scribes and rabbis, taken together, were called Pharisees. They referred to themselves as the “associates.” In many ways they were the progressive group among the Jews, having adopted many teachings not clearly found in the Hebrew scriptures, such as belief in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine only mentioned by a later prophet, Daniel.
137:7.6 (1534.5) 文士和拉比合稱為法利賽人。他們自稱為「夥伴」。在許多方面，他們是猶太人中的進步群體，採納了許多希伯來經卷中沒有明確記載的教義，例如死者復活的信念，這是僅有較晚的先知但以理提及的教義。
137:7.7 (1534.6) The Sadducees consisted of the priesthood and certain wealthy Jews. They were not such sticklers for the details of law enforcement. The Pharisees and Sadducees were really religious parties, rather than sects.
137:7.7 (1534.6) 撒都該人由祭司階層與部分富裕猶太人組成。他們不是固守律法實施細節的人。法利賽人和撒都該人事實上是宗教派系，而非教派。
137:7.8 (1534.7) The Essenes were a true religious sect, originating during the Maccabean revolt, whose requirements were in some respects more exacting than those of the Pharisees. They had adopted many Persian beliefs and practices, lived as a brotherhood in monasteries, refrained from marriage, and had all things in common. They specialized in teachings about angels.
137:7.8 (1534.7) 艾賽尼人是一個真正的宗教教派，起源於馬加比起義時期，他們的要求在某些方面比法利賽人更嚴格。他們採納了許多波斯人的信念與習俗，以兄弟會的形式在修道院中生活，不婚，財物共有。他們專門教導關於天使的教義。
137:7.9 (1535.1) The Zealots were a group of intense Jewish patriots. They advocated that any and all methods were justified in the struggle to escape the bondage of the Roman yoke.
137:7.9 (1535.1) 奮銳黨人是一群激進的猶太愛國分子。他們主張：在掙脫羅馬奴役之桎梏的鬥爭中，任何、一切手段都具有正當性。
137:7.10 (1535.2) The Herodians were a purely political party that advocated emancipation from the direct Roman rule by a restoration of the Herodian dynasty.
137:7.10 (1535.2) 希律黨人是一個純政治派系，主張恢復希律王朝，以此脫離羅馬的直接統治。
137:7.11 (1535.3) In the very midst of Palestine there lived the Samaritans, with whom “the Jews had no dealings,” notwithstanding that they held many views similar to the Jewish teachings.
137:7.11 (1535.3) 在巴勒斯坦的腹地住著撒瑪利亞人，「猶太人和他們沒有往來」，儘管他們有許多觀念與猶太人的教義相近。
137:7.12 (1535.4) All of these parties and sects, including the smaller Nazarite brotherhood, believed in the sometime coming of the Messiah. They all looked for a national deliverer. But Jesus was very positive in making it clear that he and his disciples would not become allied to any of these schools of thought or practice. The Son of Man was to be neither a Nazarite nor an Essene.
137:7.12 (1535.4) 所有這些派系與教派，包括規模較小的拿細耳人兄弟會，都相信彌賽亞將在某一時刻到來。他們全都期待一位民族拯救者。但耶穌的態度非常明確，他清楚表明：這些思想或實踐流派中的任何一個，他和使徒都不會加入。人子不會成為拿細耳人，也不會成為艾賽尼人。
137:7.13 (1535.5) While Jesus later directed that the apostles should go forth, as John had, preaching the gospel and instructing believers, he laid emphasis on the proclamation of the “good tidings of the kingdom of heaven.” He unfailingly impressed upon his associates that they must “show forth love, compassion, and sympathy.” He early taught his followers that the kingdom of heaven was a spiritual experience having to do with the enthronement of God in the hearts of men.
137:7.13 (1535.5) 耶穌後來指示使徒，要像約翰那樣出去宣揚福音、教導信眾；同時他還強調，要宣揚「天國的佳音」。他不斷向夥伴們強調，他們務必要「顯出愛、悲憫與共情」。他很早便教導追隨者：天國是一種靈性體驗，是神在人心中掌權。
137:7.14 (1535.6) As they thus tarried before embarking on their active public preaching, Jesus and the seven spent two evenings each week at the synagogue in the study of the Hebrew scriptures. In later years after seasons of intense public work, the apostles looked back upon these four months as the most precious and profitable of all their association with the Master. Jesus taught these men all they could assimilate. He did not make the mistake of overteaching them. He did not precipitate confusion by the presentation of truth too far beyond their capacity to comprehend.
137:7.14 (1535.6) 在展開積極的公眾傳道前，耶穌和七人就這樣等待，每週有兩晚在會堂研讀希伯來經文。在後來的歲月裡，歷經幾段緊張的公眾工作時期之後，使徒們回想這四個月，視之為他們跟隨夫子的所有時光中最珍貴、最受益的一段日子。耶穌將他們能吸收理解的東西都教給了他們。他沒有犯過度教導的錯誤。他不會將超出他們理解能力的真理擺到他們面前，令他們陷入困惑。
137:8.1 (1535.7) On Sabbath, June 22, shortly before they went out on their first preaching tour and about ten days after John’s imprisonment, Jesus occupied the synagogue pulpit for the second time since bringing his apostles to Capernaum.
137:8.1 (1535.7) （西元26年）6月22日安息日，在他們展開第一次巡迴傳道前不久，也就是約翰被下獄約十天後，耶穌自帶著使徒來到迦百農以來，第二次站上猶太會堂的講臺。
137:8.2 (1535.8) A few days before the preaching of this sermon on “The Kingdom,” as Jesus was at work in the boatshop, Peter brought him the news of John’s arrest. Jesus laid down his tools once more, removed his apron, and said to Peter: “The Father’s hour has come. Let us make ready to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom.”
137:8.2 (1535.8) 在此番以「王國」為主題的講道宣講前數日，耶穌正在船坊工作，彼得帶來約翰被捕的消息。耶穌再度放下工具，解下圍裙，對彼得說：「上父的時刻到了。準備好，去宣揚王國的福音。」
137:8.3 (1535.9) Jesus did his last work at the carpenter bench on this Tuesday, June 18, a.d. 26. Peter rushed out of the shop and by midafternoon had rounded up all of his associates, and leaving them in a grove by the shore, he went in quest of Jesus. But he could not find him, for the Master had gone to a different grove to pray. And they did not see him until late that evening when he returned to Zebedee’s house and asked for food. The next day he sent his brother James to ask for the privilege of speaking in the synagogue the coming Sabbath day. And the ruler of the synagogue was much pleased that Jesus was again willing to conduct the service.
137:8.3 (1535.9) 西元26年6月18日這個週二，耶穌在木匠工作臺上完成了他最後一次工作。彼得急忙走出工坊，到下午中段時分已召集了所有夥伴，讓他們待在岸邊的一處小樹林裡，自己則去尋找耶穌。但他沒找到耶穌，因為夫子去了另一處小樹林祈禱。直到當晚稍晚時，耶穌回西庇太家、要食物吃時，他們才見到他。次日，他差遣弟弟詹姆斯去請求，在即將到來的安息日，特許他在會堂發言。對於耶穌願意再次主持儀式，會堂監理很是高興。
137:8.4 (1536.1) Before Jesus preached this memorable sermon on the kingdom of God, the first pretentious effort of his public career, he read from the Scriptures these passages: “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy people. Yahweh is our judge, Yahweh is our lawgiver, Yahweh is our king; he will save us. Yahweh is my king and my God. He is a great king over all the earth. Loving-kindness is upon Israel in this kingdom. Blessed be the glory of the Lord for he is our King.”
137:8.4 (1536.1) 耶穌在宣講這篇令人難忘的、以神之國度為主題的講道前——這是他公眾生涯中首次宣告自己主張的講道——誦讀了經卷中的這段話：「你們要歸我做祭司的國度，為聖潔的國民。雅威是審判我們的，雅威是給我們設律法的，雅威是我們的王；他必拯救我們。雅威是我的王、我的神。他是治理全地的大君王。慈愛臨到這國中的以色列人。上主的榮耀是該稱頌的，因他是我們的王。」
137:8.5 (1536.2) When he had finished reading, Jesus said:
137:8.5 (1536.2) 朗讀完畢後，耶穌說：
137:8.6 (1536.3) “I have come to proclaim the establishment of the Father’s kingdom. And this kingdom shall include the worshiping souls of Jew and gentile, rich and poor, free and bond, for my Father is no respecter of persons; his love and his mercy are over all.
137:8.6 (1536.3) 「我來，是要宣告父之王國的建立。這王國必包含一切虔敬的靈魂，不分猶太人與外邦人、富人與窮人、自主的與為奴的，因為我父不偏待人，他的慈愛與恩慈臨及一切。
137:8.7 (1536.4) “The Father in heaven sends his spirit to indwell the minds of men, and when I shall have finished my work on earth, likewise shall the Spirit of Truth be poured out upon all flesh. And the spirit of my Father and the Spirit of Truth shall establish you in the coming kingdom of spiritual understanding and divine righteousness. My kingdom is not of this world. The Son of Man will not lead forth armies in battle for the establishment of a throne of power or a kingdom of worldly glory. When my kingdom shall have come, you shall know the Son of Man as the Prince of Peace, the revelation of the everlasting Father. The children of this world fight for the establishment and enlargement of the kingdoms of this world, but my disciples shall enter the kingdom of heaven by their moral decisions and by their spirit victories; and when they once enter therein, they shall find joy, righteousness, and eternal life.
137:8.7 (1536.4) 「天上的父差遣他的靈內住在人心智中；待到我完成世間的工作之時，真理之靈也將同樣澆灌所有肉身之人。我父的靈與真理之靈，必使你們在即將到來的王國中得穩固——這是充滿靈性通達與神性正義的王國。我的國不屬這世界。人子不會為建立權力王座或屬世榮耀的王國，而率軍出戰。待我的國來臨之時，你們將認識，人子是和平之君，是來顯明永恆上父的。這世界的子女，為建立、擴張屬這世界的國而爭戰；但我的門徒，必憑藉道德抉擇，憑藉靈的得勝，進入天國；一旦他們進入其中，就必尋得喜樂、正義與永生。
137:8.8 (1536.5) “Those who first seek to enter the kingdom, thus beginning to strive for a nobility of character like that of my Father, shall presently possess all else that is needful. But I say to you in all sincerity: Unless you seek entrance into the kingdom with the faith and trusting dependence of a little child, you shall in no wise gain admission.
137:8.8 (1536.5) 「那些最先尋求進王國、由此開始努力追求如我父所具那樣高尚品格的人，不久便會擁有其餘一切所需。但我誠摯地告訴你們：你們若不能以孩童般的信實與信賴尋求進王國，就絕不會獲準進入。
137:8.9 (1536.6) “Be not deceived by those who come saying here is the kingdom or there is the kingdom, for my Father’s kingdom concerns not things visible and material. And this kingdom is even now among you, for where the spirit of God teaches and leads the soul of man, there in reality is the kingdom of heaven. And this kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
137:8.9 (1536.6) 「不要被那些來宣稱『王國在這裡』或『王國在那裡』的人迷惑，因為我父的國無關可見、物質的事物。這王國此時此刻就在你們當中，因為，凡有神的靈教導、引領人靈魂的地方，天國便真實臨在。這神國，就是聖靈裡的正義、平安與喜樂。
137:8.10 (1536.7) “John did indeed baptize you in token of repentance and for the remission of your sins, but when you enter the heavenly kingdom, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
137:8.10 (1536.7) 「約翰的確為你們施洗，以示悔改，為使你們的罪得赦免；但當你們進入天國時，將要受聖靈的洗。
137:8.11 (1536.8) “In my Father’s kingdom there shall be neither Jew nor gentile, only those who seek perfection through service, for I declare that he who would be great in my Father’s kingdom must first become server of all. If you are willing to serve your fellows, you shall sit down with me in my kingdom, even as, by serving in the similitude of the creature, I shall presently sit down with my Father in his kingdom.
137:8.11 (1536.8) 「在我父的國中，將不分猶太人、外邦人，只有藉由服務尋求完滿的人；因為，我宣告，想要在我父的國中為大的，必先做眾人的服務者。你們若願意服務同伴，就必在我的王國與我同坐，正如我以受造物之形服務，不久就要在我父的國中與他同坐。
137:8.12 (1536.9) “This new kingdom is like a seed growing in the good soil of a field. It does not attain full fruit quickly. There is an interval of time between the establishment of the kingdom in the soul of man and that hour when the kingdom ripens into the full fruit of everlasting righteousness and eternal salvation.
137:8.12 (1536.9) 「這新王國，好比長在一塊田地的沃土裡的種子。它不會快速結出豐碩的成熟果實。從在人靈魂中建立王國，到王國成熟、結出永久正義與永恆救贖的豐碩果實，需要一段時間。
137:8.13 (1536.10) “And this kingdom which I declare to you is not a reign of power and plenty. The kingdom of heaven is not a matter of meat and drink but rather a life of progressive righteousness and increasing joy in the perfecting service of my Father who is in heaven. For has not the Father said of his children of the world, ‘It is my will that they should eventually be perfect, even as I am perfect.’
137:8.13 (1536.10) 「我向你們宣告的這王國，不是一種以權力、富裕為特徵的統治。天國不是酒肉之事，而是一種在為天上我父日臻完美的服務中正義進步、喜樂愈多的生命。因為父不是曾這樣論及他這世界的子女：『這是我的旨意：他們最終應是完美的，一如我是完美的。』
137:8.14 (1537.1) “I have come to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom. I have not come to add to the heavy burdens of those who would enter this kingdom. I proclaim the new and better way, and those who are able to enter the coming kingdom shall enjoy the divine rest. And whatever it shall cost you in the things of the world, no matter what price you may pay to enter the kingdom of heaven, you shall receive manyfold more of joy and spiritual progress in this world, and in the age to come eternal life.
137:8.14 (1537.1) 「我來，是要傳揚王國的喜訊。我不是來給那些想進王國的人添加沉重負擔的。我宣吿這條新的、更好的道路；凡能進入即將到來王國的人，必將享受屬神的安息。無論你們在這世界的事物上要付出什麼代價，無論你們為進入天國付出何等代價，你們在這個世界上將收穫多倍的喜樂與靈性進步，並在將來的時代得到永恆的生命。
137:8.15 (1537.2) “Entrance into the Father’s kingdom waits not upon marching armies, upon overturned kingdoms of this world, nor upon the breaking of captive yokes. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, and all who enter therein shall find abundant liberty and joyous salvation.
137:8.15 (1537.2) 「進入父的王國，不繫於行進的軍隊，不繫於推翻這世界的諸國，也不繫於打碎束縛人的枷鎖。天國近了；凡進入其中的人，都要得豐盛的自由與喜樂的救恩。
137:8.16 (1537.3) “This kingdom is an everlasting dominion. Those who enter the kingdom shall ascend to my Father; they will certainly attain the right hand of his glory in Paradise. And all who enter the kingdom of heaven shall become the sons of God, and in the age to come so shall they ascend to the Father. And I have not come to call the would-be righteous but sinners and all who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of divine perfection.
137:8.16 (1537.3) 「這王國是永久的領土。進入王國的人，必升到我父那裡，他們必達至天堂裡他榮耀中的右手邊。凡進入天國的，都要成為神之子，在未來的時代，他們也必升到上父那裡。我來，不是要召喚那些自稱義人的人，而是召喚罪人和所有渴慕神性完美之正義的人。
137:8.17 (1537.4) “John came preaching repentance to prepare you for the kingdom; now have I come proclaiming faith, the gift of God, as the price of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. If you would but believe that my Father loves you with an infinite love, then you are in the kingdom of God.”
137:8.17 (1537.4) 「約翰來，是傳揚悔改，使你們作準備，好迎接王國；如今我來，是宣揚信仰——這是神所賜的，作為進入天國要付的代價。你們若願意相信我父以無限的愛愛你們，那麼你們就已在神的國裡。」
137:8.18 (1537.5) When he had thus spoken, he sat down. All who heard him were astonished at his words. His disciples marveled. But the people were not prepared to receive the good news from the lips of this God-man. About one third who heard him believed the message even though they could not fully comprehend it; about one third prepared in their hearts to reject such a purely spiritual concept of the expected kingdom, while the remaining one third could not grasp his teaching, many truly believing that he “was beside himself.”
137:8.18 (1537.5) 講完這番話，他便坐下。所有聽到他講話的人，都對他的話感到很驚訝。他的門徒驚歎不已。但眾人還沒有準備好領受出自這位神-人之口的這好消息。聽眾中，約有三分之一相信這個訊息，儘管還無法完全領會；還有約三分之一的人，心中已預備拒絕純靈性的所期待王國的概念；而剩下的三分之一，無法理解他的教導，其中不少人真的認為他「癲狂了」。