十二小先知書新譯
參. 阿摩司書(AMOS)
前 言
阿摩司是南國先知, 却在北國服事, 生於南國烏西雅(主前792-740年)及北國耶羅波安二世
(主前793-753年)年間, 自述他在一次大地震前二年蒙召(摩1:1). 據猶太史家約瑟夫查考, 該次地震
發生在烏西雅末年, 約主前750年. 先知是提哥亞人, 自稱牧人, 又是修理桑樹的, 可見是當時有財勢
的農牧大財主, 但他非常關心國家大事, 社會動態; 當神呼召他時, 立即放棄一切, 為神擺上.
阿摩司事奉年日雖不到一年(主前750年), 但他的信息却影響深遠, 事奉期間, 祭司亞瑪謝誣告他
為財利事奉, 他嚴詞駁斥, 自己原從事農牧, 財富不薄, 然而當神呼召時, 勇於應召, 不敢拒绝; 並指責
亞瑪謝任祭司, 不公不義, 神必審判, 且國家亦將急速敗亡(摩7:10-17), 其大無畏精神, 正是先知的本色.
I. 序言(1:1-2):
提哥亞牧人阿摩司於猶大王烏西雅和以色列王約亞施之子耶羅波安在位時, 大地震前二年, 得到
有關以色列默示如次:
"耶和華從錫安怒吼, "The Lord roars from Zion
並從耶路撒冷打雷; and thunders from Jerusalem;
牧人草場牧草枯乾, the pastures of the shepherds dry up,
迦密山頂草木凋萎." and the top of Camel withers."
II. 審判列國(1:3-2:16):
以色列鄰國受審判.
(I) 亞蘭(1:3-5):
耶和華這樣說:
3 "大馬士革三番四次犯罪, "For three sins of Damascus,
我必不會息怒而饒恕她. even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.
因她以鐵齒大鎚打基列, Because she threshed Golead with sledges having iron teeth,
4 我必降火焚燒哈薛王宮, I will send fire upon the house of Hazael
燒燬便哈達堅固的堡壘. that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.
5 我必打倒大馬士革城門, I will break down the gate of Damascus;
毀滅亞文谷的君王, I will destroy the king who is in the Valley of Aven
以及伯伊甸掌權者. and the one who holds the the scepter in Beth Eden.
亞蘭人必被擄吉珥." The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir."
這是耶和華說的. says the Lord.
(II) 非利士(1:6-8):
耶和華這樣說:
6 "迦薩三番四次犯罪作惡, "For three sins of Gaza,
我絕不會息怒火輕饒他. even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.
因他擄走百姓賣給以東. Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom.
7 我必降火焚燒迦薩城牆, I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza
讓火燒燬他的堅固堡壘. that will consume her fortresses.
8 我必毀滅亞實突的君王, I will destroy the king of Ashdod
並消滅亞實基倫掌權者. and one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon.
我也會轉手擊打以革倫, I will turn my hand against Ekron,
直至非利士人全都死光." till the last of Philistines is dead,"
這是主耶和華說的. says the Sovereign Lord.
(III) 腓尼基(1:9-10):
耶和華這樣說:
9 "推羅三番四次犯罪作惡, "For three sins of Tyre,
我絕不會息怒火輕饒他. even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.
因他擄走百姓賣給以東. Because she sold whole communities of captive to Edom.
毫不遵守兄弟之邦盟約, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood,
10 我必降火焚燒推羅城牆, I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre
讓火燒燬他的堅固堡壘." that will consume her fortresses."
(IV) 以東(1:11-12):
耶和華這樣說:
11 "以東三番四次犯罪作惡, "For three sins of Edom,
我絕不會息怒火輕饒他. even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.
因為他拿刀劍追殺兄弟, Because he pursued his brother with a sword,
冷酷無情沒有絲毫憐憫. stiffing all compassion,
又因他的怒氣暴發不止, because his anger raged continually
12 他的烈怒如火一發難收. and his fury flamed unchecked.
我必降火焚燒提幔全城, I will send fire upon Teman
讓火燒燬波斯拉的堡壘." that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah."
(V) 亞們(1:13-15):
耶和華這樣說:
13 "亞們三番四次犯罪作惡, "For three sins of Ammon,
我絕不會息怒火輕饒他. even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.
因他為了擴展領土彊界, Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead
竟撕基列孕婦腹無人性. in order to extend his broders.
14 我必在作戰日吶喊聲中, I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah
暴風雨日狂風怒號聲中, that will consume her fortresses
我必降火焚燒拉巴城 , amid war cries on the day of battle,
讓火燒燬他的堅固堡壘. amid violent winds on a stormy day.
15 他的君王必被無情放逐, Her king will go into exile,
他和他的臣僕無一倖免." he and his officials together,"
這是主耶和華說的. says the Lord.
(VI) 摩押(2:1-3):
耶和華這樣說:
1 "摩押三番四次犯罪作惡, "For three sins of Moab,
我絕不會息怒火輕饒他. even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.
他把以東王骸骨燒成灰. Because he burned, as if to lime, the bones of Edom's king.
2 我必降火焚燒摩押全地, I will send fire upon Moab
讓烈火燒燬加略的堡壘. that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth.
在戰場吶喊和號角聲中, Moab will go down in great tumult
摩押必在動亂之中覆亡. amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet.
3 我定必剪除他的統治者, I will destroy her ruler
並誅殺他所有隨從臣僕." and kill all her officials with him,"
這是主耶和華說的. says the Lord.
(VII) 猶大(2:4-5):
耶和華這樣說:
4 "猶大三番四次犯罪, "For three sins of Judah,
我必不息怒饒恕. even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.
因他們拒絕耶和華律法 Because they have rejected the law of the Lord
並不願意遵守祂的典章, and have not kept his decrees,
更被他們列祖跟從假神, because they have been led astray by false gods,
牽著鼻子行差踏錯失迷. the gods their ancestors followed.
5 我必降火焚燒猶大全地, I will send fire upon Judah
並且燒燬耶路撒冷城堡." that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem."
(VIII) 以色列(2:6-16):
耶和華這樣說:
1. 壓搾窮人(2:6-7a):
6 "以色列三番四次犯罪, "For three sins of Isreal,
我必不息怒饒恕. even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.
他們出賣義人換銀子, They sell the righteous for silver,
同時出賣窮人換涼鞋. and the needy for a pair of sandels.
7a 他們踐踏窮人頭如地土, They trample the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground,
並且剝奪受壓迫者權益. and deny justice to the oppressed.
2. 褻瀆真神(2:7b-8):
7b 父子共狎同一女, Father and son use the same girl
淫行褻瀆我聖名. They lie down beside every altar
行淫質押衣物上. on garments taken in pledge.
在他們的神廟中, In the house of their god
痛飲罰款買來酒. they drink wine taken as fines.
3. 安置選民(2:9-12):
9 "我在他們面前消滅亞摩利人, "I destroyed the Amorite before them,
他雖高如香柏樹堅如黑橡樹. though he was tall as cedars and as strong as the oaks.
我毀滅他的樹上果和地下根. I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below.
10 "我把你們從埃及地帶出來, "I brought you up out of Egypt,
在曠野中帶領你們四十年, and I led you forty years in the desert
把亞摩利人的地分給你們. to give you the land of the Amorites.
11 從你們的兒女中興起先知, I also raised up prophets from among your sons
並在青年中興起拿細耳人. and Nazirites from among your young men.
以色列百姓啊! 難道這不是事實嗎?" Is this not true, people of Isreal?"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
12 "然而你讓拿細耳人喝酒, "But you made the Nazirites drink wine
並命眾先知不要說預言. and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
4. 大禍難逃(2:13-16):
13 現在我必把你們粉碎, Now then, I will crush you
像粉碎滿載糧車一樣. as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.
14 跑得飛快的逃不了, The swift will not escape,
強而有力的沒力氣, the strong will not muster their strength,
戰士也保不住性命. and the warrior will not save his life.
15 弓箭射手站立不住, The archer will not stand his ground,
飛毛腿士兵難脫身. the fleet-footed soldier will not get away,
騎兵也救不了自己. and the horseman will not save his life.
16 即使最敢勇的戰士, Even the bravest warriors
在那日也赤身而逃," will flee naked on that day,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
III. 預言以色列(3:1-5:17):
(I) 審判選民(3:1-15):
1. 更重刑罰(3:1-3):
1 以色列人啊! Hear this word the Lord has spoken against you,
你們全家都是我從埃及領出來的, O people of Isreal -
你們要傾聽耶和華指控你們的話: against the whole family I brought our of Egypt:
2 "你家是我在地上各家中唯一揀選的, "You only have I chosen all the families of the earth;
因此我必嚴懲你們所犯的一切罪惡." therefore I will punish you for all your sins."
3 二人若沒約定怎會同行? Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
2. 祭偶之罪(3:4-5):
4 獅子若非找不到獵物, Does a lion roar in the thicket
豈會在林中吼叫? when he has no prey?
獅子若非獵不到食物, Does he growl in his den
豈會在穴中咆哮? when he has caught nothing?
5 若沒有張設羅網, Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground
飛鳥怎會掉地上陷阱? where no snare has been set?
若沒有抓到獵物, Does a trap spring up from the earth
捕機怎會從地上彈起? when there is nothing to catch?
6 若非號角城中響, When a trumpet sounds in a city,
百姓怎會驚惶又失措? do not the people tremble?
當災禍降臨城中, When disaster comes to a city,
豈不都是耶和華造成? has not the Lord caused it?
7 主耶和華未向祂僕先知顯示計劃, Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing
衪自然不會採取任何行動. without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
8 獅子怒吼那個不心驚膽戰? The lion has roared - who will not fear?
耶和華宣示誰敢不說預言? The Sovereign Lord has spoken who can but prophesy?
3. 犯罪下場(3:9-15):
9 向亞實突和埃及城牆宣告:
"你們要在撒瑪利亞山地集合, "Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria;
觀看城中大動亂, see the great unrest within her
及欺凌百姓暴行." and the oppression among people."
10 耶和華說: "They do not know how to do right,"
"他們不知道如何行善, declares the Lord,
只知在城中聚斂掠奪." "who hoard plunder and loot in their fortresses."
11 所以主耶和華又說: Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"仇敵必定蹂躪這地, "An enmy will overrun the land;
他必攻下你們城堡, he will pull down your strongholds
並在城中大肆擄掠." and plunder your fortresses."
12 耶和華這樣說: This is what the Lord says:
"正如牧人從獅子 "As a shepherd saves from the lion's mouth
搶回二羊腿和一羊耳, only two leg bones or a piece of an ear,
以色列人在撒瑪利亞坐床邊, so will the Isrealites be saved.
在大馬士革躺床蒙救也如此." Those who sit in Samaria on the edge of their beds
and in Damascus on their couches."
13 "你們要聽並向雅各家作證." "Hear this and testify against the house of Jacob."
這是主耶和華萬軍之神的宣示. declares the Lord, the Lord God Almighty.
14 "到那日我必懲罰以色列的罪惡, "On the day I punish Isreal for her sins,
毀壞伯特利的祭壇, I will destroy the altars of Bethel;
砍斷壇角掉在地上. the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.
15 同時拆毀冬宮夏宮, I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house;
毀壞象牙裝飾宮殿, the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed
豪華別墅難逃爆破." and the mansion will be demolished."
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
(II) 審判悖逆(4:1-13):
1. 欺貧下場(4:1-3):
1 撒瑪利亞山上巴珊的母牛啊! Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria,
和欺壓貧苦並對丈夫說: you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy
"拿酒來給我喝!"的女人啊! and say to your husbands,
你們要聽好! Bring us some drinks!
2 主耶和華指著自己的聖潔起誓: The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his holiness:
"日子定必快到, "The time will surely come
你們必被鉤子鉤走, when you will be taken away with hooks,
最後一個必被魚鉤釣走. the last of you with fishhooks.
3 你們將從城牆破口逐一直直出去, You will each go straight out through breaks in the wall,
然後被拋棄在哈門," and you will be cast out toward Harmon,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
2. 祭偶之罪(4:4-5):
4 "你們去伯特利犯罪, "Go to Bethel and sin;
去吉甲犯更多的罪. go to Gilgal and sin yet more.
每天早晨你們去獻祭, Bring your sacrifices every morning,
第三日獻你們的什一. your tithes every three years.
5 以色列人啊! Burn leavened bread as a thank offering
獻上有酵餅作感謝祭, and brag about your freewill offering -
誇耀你們自願獻的祭, boast about them, you Isrealites,
因這都是你們喜好的," for this is what you love to do,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Sovereiugn Lord.
3. 罰仍不改(4:6-13):
6 "我使你們每城空腹難挨, "I gave you empty stomachs in every city
又使你們每邑缺乏糧食; and lack of bread in every town,
然而你們還是不歸向我," yet you have not returned to me,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
7 "在你們收割三個月前, "I also withheld rain from you
我命天不降雨給你們. when the harvest was still three months away.
我這城降雨, 那城不降; I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another.
這田降甘霖, 那地乾旱. One field had rain; another had none and dried up.
8 百姓踉蹌逐城找水喝, People staggered from town to town for water
但總找不到足夠的水; but did not get enough to drink,
而你們還是不歸向我," yet you have not returned to me,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
9 "我多次打擊你們的園子和葡萄園, "Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards,
使全園都飽受蟲害肆虐霉菌摧殘. I struck them with blight and mildew.
又遣蝗蟲吞噬你們無花果橄欖樹; Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees,
而你們還是不歸向我," yet you have not returned to me,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
10 "我在你們中間降瘟疫, "I sent plagues among you
如我從前對埃及一樣. as I did to Egypt.
用刀誅殺你們的少壯, I killed your young men with the sword,
還有你們擄來的馬匹. along with your captured horses.
使你們營中屍臭沖鼻; I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps,
而你們還是不歸向我," yet you have not returned to me,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
11 "我把你們冷酷無情推翻, I overthrew some of you
如我推翻所多瑪蛾摩拉, as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
你們像從火中取出燃木; You were like burning stick snatched from the fire,
然而你們還是不歸向我," yet you have not returned to me,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
12 "以色列啊! "Therefore this is what I will do to you, Isreal,
這就是我要對付你們的, and because I will do this to you,
因此你們要預備朝見神." prepare to meet your God, O Isreal."
13 衪塑山造風, He who forms the mountains, creates the wind,
把心意告人, and reveal his thoughts to man,
黎明變黑暗, he who turns dawn to darkness,
腳踏地高處; and treads the high places of the earth -
衪名叫耶和華萬軍之神. the Lord God Almighty is his name.
(III) 審判不義(5:1-17):
1. 沉痛哀歌(5:1-3):
1 以色列家啊! Hear this word, O house of Isreal,
細聽這首為你們作的哀歌: this lament takes up concerning you:
2 "童女以色列倒下永不再起, "Fallen is Virgin Isreal, never to rise again,
丟棄在自己土地無人拉起." deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up."
3 主耶和華這樣說: This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"一千精兵為以色列衝出城, "The city that marches out a thousand strong for Isreal
僅得百人生還; will have only a hundred left;
"一百精兵為以色列衝出邑, the town that marches out a hundred strong
僅得十人生還." will have only ten left."
2. 尋主得活(5:4-6):
4 耶和華對以色列家這樣說: This is what the Lord says to the house of Isreal:
5 "來尋求我可得活 "Seek me and live;
勿去伯特利尋求, do not seek Bethel,
也不要跑去吉甲, do not go to Gilgal,
更不要去別是巴. do not journey to Beersheba.
因吉甲必被擄掠, For Gilgal will surely go to exile,
伯特利夷為平地." and Bethel will be reduced to nothing."
6 來尋求耶和華可以得活, Seek the Lord and live,
免得祂如火燒滅約瑟家, or he will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire;
大火焚伯特利無人撲滅. It will devour, and Bethel will have no one to quench it.
3. 控不公義(5:7-13):
7 你們把公正變成苦楚, You who turn justice into bitterness
更把公義丟棄在地上. and cast righteousness to the ground
8 (那創造昂星和參星, (he who made the Pleiades and Orion,
並使黑暗變為黎明, who turns blackness into dawn
又使白日變為黑夜, and darkens day into night,
命海水傾倒大地的; who calls the waters of sea and pours them out over the face of the land -
耶和華就是衪的名. the Lord is his name.
9 衪還閃電摧毀堡壘, he flashes destruction on the stronghold
使城堡瞬間成廢墟). and brings the fortified city to ruin),
10 你厭恨法庭辯護者, you hate the one who reproves in court
並且恨惡他說實話. and despise him who tells the truth.
11 你們欺壓窮人, You trample on the poor
迫他繳納糧食. and force him to give you grain.
你們雖建石豪宅, Therefore, t u have built stone mansions,
卻不能住入享受. you will not live in them.
雖栽植美好葡萄園, though you have planted lush vineyards,
卻喝不到釀出美酒. you will not drink their wine.
12 因我知你們過犯何其多, For I know how many are your offenses
和你們犯罪作惡何其大. and how great your sins.
你們欺壓義人收賄賂, your oppress the righteous and take bribes
城門口剝奪窮人權益. and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
13 因此君子在這邪惡 Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times,
的時代都緘默無語. for the times are evil.
4. 勸民求活(5:14-15):
14 要追善非惡才得存活, Seek good, not evil, that you may live.
這樣耶和華萬軍之神 Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
才與你們同在如所言. just as you say he is.
15 要恨惡愛善維持公正, Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in courts.
耶和華萬軍之神才會 Perhaps the Lord God Almighty
對約瑟的餘民施憐憫. will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.
5. 轉成愁苦(5:16-17):
16 因此耶和華主萬軍之神說: Therefore this is what he Lord, the Lord God Almighty says:
"城中街頭－片哀號, "There will be wailing in all the streets
廣場處處哀聲震天. and cries of anguish in every public square.
農夫奉召前來哭泣, The farmers will be summoned to weep
喪家聚集抱頭哀哭. and the mourners to wail.
17 葡萄園也一片哭聲, There will be wailing in all the vineyards,
因我要走過你們中間." for I will pass through your midst,"
這是主耶和華說的. says the Lord.
(IV) 被擄宣告(5:18-6:14):
1. 墮落凶信(5:18-20):
18 盼望耶和華日子的人有禍了! Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord!
你們為何還盼望耶和華日子? Why do you long for the day of the Lord?
那日一片漆黑沒有一點亮光. That day will be darkness, not light.
19 那日就好像人避獅遇熊, It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear,
又像回家手靠牆被蛇咬. as though he entered his house and rested his hand on wall
20 耶和華的日子豈不是 only to have a snake bite him.
漆黑無光沒一線光芒? Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light -
pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
2. 神恨偽善(5:21-27):
21 我憎恨你們的節期, "I hate, I despise your religiuos feasts;
難接受你們的集會. I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 即使向我獻燔祭素祭, Even though you bring me brunt offerings and grain offerings,
我不會接納; I will not accept them.
就是獻上肥美平安祭, Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
我也不悅納. I will have no regard for them.
23 你們逆耳的歌聲勿嘈我! Away with the noise of your songs!
我不想聽見你們的琴聲. I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 讓公正如河水滾滾流, But let justice roll on like river,
願公義像川流不停息! righteousness like a never-failing stream!
25 以色列家啊! Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
你們在曠野四十年間 forty years in the desert,
有向我獻犧牲祭物嗎? O house of Isreal?
26 你們抬著摩洛的帳幕, You have lifted up the shrine of your king,
和你們自造偶像座龕, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god -
以及你們膜拜的神星. which you made for yourselves.
27 因此我必使你們流亡, Therefore I will send you into exile
到大馬士革以外之地. beyond Damascus,"
這是耶和華說的, 衪名叫萬軍之神. says the Lord, whose name is God Almighty.
3. 嚴責放縱(6:1-6):
1 錫安山苟安的人有禍了! Woe to you who are complacent on Mount Zion,
撒瑪利亞山自認安全的也有禍, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaris,
你們列國之首的權貴, you notable men of foremost nations,
以色列人都歸向你們! to whom the people of Isreal come!
2 你們要親去甲尼察看, Go to Calneh and look at it;
從那裏再去哈馬大城, go from there to great Hamath,
再下去非利士的迦特. and then go down to Gath in philistia.
他們比你們二國好嗎? Are they better off than your two kingdoms?
他們土地比你們大嗎? Is their land larger than yours?
3 你們以災禍之日尚遠, You put off the evil day
卻招來立即恐怖箝制. and bring near a reign of terror.
4 你們躺臥在象牙床上, You lie on beds inlaid with ivory
及愜意躺在舒適榻上. and lounge on your couches.
你們暢啖美羊和肥牛. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.
5 你們像大衛亂彈弦琴, You strum away on your harps like David
心不在焉隨意弄樂器. and improvise on musical instruments.
6 你們喝酒用大碗豪飲, You drink wine by the bowlful
又用最貴重膏油抹身, and use finest lotions,
但你們對約瑟毀滅毫不哀傷. but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
4. 悲慘結局(6:7-13):
7 因此你們必在首批被擄人中, Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile;
你們放縱宴樂享受就此終結. your feasting and lounging will end.
8 主耶和華指著自己起誓, The Sovereign Lord has sworn by himself -
耶和華萬軍之神宣示說: the Lord God Almighty declares:
"我憎惡雅各的驕橫, "I adhor the pride of Jacob
厭惡他的城堡宮室; and detest his fortresses;
我必把全城和其中 I will deliver up the city
一切全都交給敵人." and everything in it."
9 若十人仍留屋中, If ten men are left in one home,
他們也必死無疑. they too will die.
10 倘收屍親人前來, And if a relative who is to burn the bodies
把屍體搬出屋外, comes to carry them out of the house
並問還藏屋中者: and asks anyone still hiding there,
"還有人在屋裏嗎?" "Is anyone with you?" and he says,
他回答: "沒有." 並說: "No," then he will say,
"小聲點! 不要再提耶和華的名. "Hush! We must not mention the name of the Lord."
11 因為耶和華下令, For the Lord has given the command,
大屋必打得粉碎, and he will smash the great house into pieces
小屋必打成碎片. and the small house into bits.
12 馬能在懸崖馳騁嗎? Do horses run on the rock crags?
牛能在崖上犁田嗎? Does one plow with oxen?
而你們卻把公正變為毒藥, But you have turned justice into poison
更把公義的果實變成苦果. and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness -
13 你們都為征服羅底巴歡欣, 並說: you who rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar
"我們不是用己力攻克加寧嗎?" and say, "Did we not take Karnain by our own strength?"
5. 攻以色列(6:14):
14 因主耶和華萬軍之神說: For the Lord God Almighty declares,
"以色列家啊! 我必激起一國攻擊你們, "I will stir up a nation against you, O house of Isreal,
這一國必全面欺壓你們, that will oppress you all the way
從哈馬口直至亞拉巴谷." from Lebo Hamath to the valley of the Arabah."
(V) 懲罰異象(7:1 -9:10):
1. 倖免懲罰(7:1 -6):
(1) 蝗蟲之災(7:1-3):
主耶和華向我這樣顯示: 王的莊稼收割後, 二期農作正生長時, 主放出一大群蝗蟲,
當蝗蟲吃光地上農作時, 我大聲呼喊: "主耶和華啊! 求你饒恕, 雅各這麼弱小! 他怎能活下去呢?" 於是
主改變旨意, 耶和華這樣說: "也吧! 我不會讓這災發生."
(2) 烈火之災(7:4-6):
主耶和華又向我這樣顯示: 主耶和華召來審判之火, 燒乾深淵, 吞噬大地. 我見狀又
大聲呼喊: "主耶和華啊! 我求你, 請停止! 雅各這麼弱小! 他怎能活下去呢?" 於是主又改變旨意, 主耶和華
這樣說: "也吧! 我也不會讓這災發生."
2. 難免懲罰(7:7-9:10):
(1) 神的準繩(7:7-17):
a. 準繩異象(7:7-13):
祂再向我顯示: 耶和華站在一道按準繩建造的牆垣, 手中拿著準繩, 祂問我: "阿摩司,
你看見甚麼?" 我回答: "我看見準繩." 於是耶和華說: "看哪! 我把準繩拉在我子民以色列中間, 不再寬恕
他們:
9 "以撒的邱壇必被摧毀, "The high places of Isaac will be destroyed
以色列的聖所必成廢墟; and the sanctuaries of Isreal will be ruined;
我的刀劍必誅殺耶羅波安家." with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam."
伯特利祭司亞瑪謝遣人向以色列王耶羅波安告密: "阿摩司在以色列家中圖謀背叛你,
全國都不能容忍他說的話, 因阿摩司這樣說:
耶羅波安必死在刀下, Jeroboam will die by the sword,
以色列必被擄離故土.'" and Isreal will surely go into exile, away from their land.'"
此外, 亞瑪謝又對阿摩司說: "滾開, 你這先見! 滾回猶大地去, 在那裏覓食糊口, 說你
的預言, 但不准在伯特利再說預言, 因這裏是王的聖所, 國的聖殿."
b. 先知見證(7:14-17):
阿摩司回答亞瑪謝說: "我既不是先知, 也不是先知門徒, 我只是個牧人兼修剪桑樹
的園丁, 但耶和華在我牧羊時呼召我並對我說: '你去! 向我的子民以色列說預言.' 現仔細聽耶和華說的話.
你們說:
不要用預言攻擊以色列, Do not prophesy against Isreal,
不要藉傳道攻擊以撒家.' and stop preaching against the house of Isaac.'
所以耶和華這樣說: Therefore this is the Lord says:
你們的妻子必淪為城中娼妓, Your wife will become a prostitute in the city,
你們的兒女定必慘死在刀下; and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword.
你們的地土必被瓜分, Your land wil l be measured and divided up,
你們自己必死在疫國. and you yourself will die in a plague country.
以色列必被擄流亡, and Isreal will certainly go into exile,
離鄉背井遠離故土. away from their native land.'"
(2) 成熟果子(8:1-3):
主耶和華又向我顯示: 我看見一籃成熟果子. 祂問我: "阿摩司, 你看見甚麼?" 我回答:
"我看見一籃成熟果子." 於是耶和華對我說: "我民以色列惡貫滿盈, 我不再饒恕他們."
主耶和華宣示: "到那日, 聖殿歌聲成哀哭, 屍體多多, 拋棄處處! 靜默無聲!"
3. 責富欺貧(8:4-7):
4 踐踏貧困趕盡國中窮人者啊! Hear this, you who trample the needy
細聽此言. and do away with the poor of the land,
5 你們說: saying:
"新月落好賣穀, "When will the new moon be over that we may sell grain,
安息終好賣麥; and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?
減斤兩提高價, skimping the measure, boosting the price
用假秤欺騙人. and cheating with dishonest scales,
6 用銀子買窮人, buying the poor with silver
以涼鞋換貧戶, and the needy for a pair of sandals,
賣碎渣換小麥." selling even the sweepings with the wheat."
7 耶和華指著雅各的高傲起誓: The Lord has sworn by the Pride of Jacob,
"我永不忘記他們所有的行為." "I will never forget anything they have done."
4. 其他異象(8:8-14):
8 "這地不應為此震動, "Will not the land tremble for this,
居民不應為此哀傷嗎? and all who live in it mourn?
全地將像尼羅河暴漲, The whole land will rise like the Nile;
後像埃及大河潮急落. it will be stirred up and then sink like the river of Eygpt.
9 主耶和華宣示: "到那日, "In that day," declares the Sovereign Lord,
我必使太陽正午西沉, "I will make the sun go down at noon
大地在白晝一片漆黑. and darken the earth in broad daylight.
10 我必使節慶成哀喪, I will turn your religious feasts into mourning
你們的歌唱成悲泣. and all your singing into weeping .
並使你們披麻剃頭. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads.
悲哀傷痛如喪獨子, I will make that time like mourning for an only son
終結之日苦不堪言. and the end of it like a bitter day.
11 主耶和華又宣示: "日子快到, "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign Lord,
我必使全地都鬧饑荒, "when I will send a famine through the land -
不是沒糧缺水的荒年, not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
是聽不見主話的大荒. but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 人從這海飄流到那海, men will stagger from sea to sea
又從北方流浪到東方, and wander from north to east,
尋找主的話但找不到. searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.
13 在那日, "In that day
美麗淑女和壯健俊男 the lovely young women and strong young men
都因乾渴至極而昏倒. will faint because of thirst.
14 那些指著撒瑪利亞牛犢, They who swear by the shame of Samaria,
指著但的神, or say, 'As surely as your god lives, O Dan,'
和指著別是巴神起誓的, or 'As surely as the god of Beersheba lives' -
都必仆倒, 永不翻身." they will fall, never to rise again."
5. 壇旁的主(9:1-10):
我見主站祭壇旁, 祂說:
1 "擊打柱頂使門檻搖動. "Strike the top of the pillars so that the threshholds shake.
使柱倒下壓百姓頭上; Bring them down on the heads of all the people;
剩下的人我用刀誅殺, those who are left I will kill with the sword.
無一躲得過, 無一能脫逃. Not one will get away, none will escape.
2 即使奔逃到陰間, Though they dig down to the depths of the grave,
我手把他們抓回; from there my hand will take them.
縱使高爬到天上, Though they climb up to the heavens,
我也要拿下他們; from there I will bring them down.
3 即使躲到迦密山頂, Though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel,
我也要追捕拿他們; there I will hunt them down and seize them.
縱使躲到海底深處, Though they hide from me at the bottom of the sea,
我必命大蛇咬他們; there I will command the serpent to bite them.
4 縱使被仇敵俘擄走, Though they are driven into exile by their enemies,
我必命刀劍殺他們; there I will command the sword to slay them.
我注視他們的惡非善." I will fix my eyes upon them for evil and not for good."
5 主萬軍之耶和華摸地, The Lord, the Lord Almighty,
大地就立即熔化, he who touches the earth and it melts,
地上居民同哀傷; and all who live in it mouurn -
全地將像尼羅河暴漲, the whole land rises like the Nile,
後像埃及大河潮急落. then sinks like the river of Egypt -
6 衪在高天建宮殿, he who builds his lofty palace in the heavens
奠定大地的根基; and set its foundation on the earth,
衪召大海汪洋水, who calls for the waters of the sea
傾倒淹蓋大地面. and pours them out over the face of the land -
耶和華是衪的名. the Lord is his name.
7 "以色列人啊! "Are not you Isrealites
你們對我豈不與古實人一樣?" the same to me as the Cushites?"
耶和華這樣宣示: declares the Lord,
"不是我把以色列人從埃及領出, "Did I not bring Isreal up from Egypt,
把非利士人從迦斐託領出, the philistines from Caphtor
把亞蘭人從古珥領出嗎?" and the Arameans from Kir?"
8 "主耶和華眼目緊盯罪國. "Surely the eyes of the Sovereign Lord are on the sinful kingdom.
我必把這國從地面消滅; I will destroy it from the face of the earth -
但我不會徹底滅雅各家." yet I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob,"
耶和華這樣宣示. declares the Lord.
9 "我必令列國中, "For I will give the command,
動搖以色列家, and I will shake the house of Isreal among all
如篩子篩穀子, as grain is shaken in a sieve,
不讓一粒落地. and not a pebble will reach the ground.
10 我民中犯罪的人說: All the sinners among my people
災禍不會臨到我們. will die by the sword,
定必慘死在刀劍下.' all those who say, 'Disaster will not overtake or meet us.'
(VI) 重建蒙福(9:11-15):
1. 重建大衛家(9:11-12):
11 "到那日, 我必重豎大衛倒塌帳棚. "In that day I will restore David's fallen tent.
修好帳棚損壞的地方, I will repair its broken places,
重建廢墟, 恢復昔日樣貌; restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be,
12 使他們得到以東餘物, so that they possess the remnant of Edom
以及我名下的列國," and all the nations that bear my name,"
這是行這事耶和華的宣示. declares the Lord, who will do tis things.
2. 重建以色列(9:13-15):
13 耶和華宣示: "日子快到! "The days are coming," declares the Lord,
收割的緊接著犁田的, "When the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman
踹葡萄的緊接栽植的; and the planter by the one treading grapes.
大山滴新酒, New wine will drip from the mountains
小山流美醇. and flow from all hills.
14 我必領回我的被擄以色列子民, I will bring back my exiled people Isreal;
他們必重建殘破城邑並居其中; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them.
並且栽植葡萄園暢飲園產美酒, They will plant vineyards and drink their wine;
又廣開果園享用園中鮮美果子. they will make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 我必把以色列栽在他們土地上, I will plant Isreal in their own land ,
再不會在我賜他們土地上拔起." never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them.."
耶和華你們的神宣示. says the Lord your God.
(全文完)
感謝主, 讚美主,
一切榮耀歸我主,
哈利路亞, 阿們!
2016年12月3日於台北 / 2018年9月3日 佈樂格 台北
2022年3月12日終校 台北