第20章 乃缦
§1
第20章 乃缦Chap. 20 - Naaman（本章根据：王下5:）
§2
“亚兰王的元帅乃缦，在他主人面前为尊为大，因耶和华曾借他使亚兰人得胜；他又是大能的勇士，只是长了大麻风。”[1]{PK 244.1}
§3
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.{PK 244.1}[1]
§4
亚兰王便哈达在一次战争中击败了以色列的军队，结果亚哈在该一战役中阵亡了。此后，亚兰人经常侵犯以色列国的边境；而在某次侵袭中，他们掳去了一个小女子，她就在被掳之地“服侍乃缦的妻。”这个小女子远离家乡，虽沦为奴仆，却成了上帝的一个见证人，无意之中竟实现了上帝拣选以色列作他子民的旨意。当她在这信奉异教的家庭中服务时，她对于她主人的病患深表同情；她想起了以利沙所行医病的奇妙神迹，因此就对她主母说：“巴不得我主人去见撒玛利亚的先知！必能治好他的大麻风。”她知道有上天的能力与以利沙同在，她也相信乃缦必能借这能力得到痊愈。[2]{PK 244.2}
§5
Ben-hadad, king of Syria, had defeated the armies of Israel in the battle which resulted in the death of Ahab. Since that time the Syrians had maintained against Israel a constant border warfare, and in one of their raids they had carried away a little maid who, in the land of her captivity, waited on Naamans wife. A slave, far from her home, this little maid was nevertheless one of Gods witnesses, unconsciously fulfilling the purpose for which God had chosen Israel as His people. As she ministered in that heathen home, her sympathies were aroused in behalf of her master; and, remembering the wonderful miracles of healing wrought through Elisha, she said to her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. She knew that the power of Heaven was with Elisha, and she believed that by this power Naaman could be healed.{PK 244.2}[2]
§6
这个被掳女子的行为，她那在异教家庭中的处己之道，乃是得力于早年家庭训练的明证。再没有什么委托，较比那交给父母照顾并教养儿女的责任更为崇高的了。父母对于儿女的习惯和品格的基础颇有关系。他们儿女的将来，大半取决于他们自己的榜样和教训。[3]{PK 245.1}
§7
The conduct of the captive maid, the way that she bore herself in that heathen home, is a strong witness to the power of early home training. There is no higher trust than that committed to fathers and mothers in the care and training of their children. Parents have to do with the very foundations of habit and character. By their example and teaching the future of their children is largely decided.{PK 245.1}[3]
§8
凡在生活上真正地反映上帝，使上帝的应许和命令在儿女心中引起感恩和敬畏的父母；凡以温慈、公正和忍耐向儿女表现上帝的慈爱、公义与忍耐；而且教导儿女敬爱、信靠，并顺从他们，借此教导他敬爱、信靠，并顺从天父的父母，乃是幸福的。父母将这样的恩物传给儿女，就是将那较比累代财富更为可贵的宝藏赠予他们，——这财宝是与永恒同垂不朽的。[4]{PK 245.2}
§9
Happy are the parents whose lives are a true reflection of the divine, so that the promises and commands of God awaken in the child gratitude and reverence; the parents whose tenderness and justice and long-suffering interpret to the child the love and justice and long-suffering of God, and who by teaching the child to love and trust and obey them, are teaching him to love and trust and obey his Father in heaven. Parents who impart to the child such a gift have endowed him with a treasure more precious than the wealth of all the ages, a treasure as enduring as eternity.{PK 245.2}[4]
§10
我们真不知道自己的儿女将来会蒙召从事何种职业。他们可能在家庭范围内终老其身；他们也可能从事生计中普通的职业，或赴异教之地去作福音的教师；但他们都同样地蒙召为上帝作布道士，向世人作恩惠的执事。他们都应领受一种足以帮助他们站在基督旁边作无私服务的教育。[5]{PK 245.3}
§11
We know not in what line our children may be called to serve. They may spend their lives within the circle of the home; they may engage in lifes common vocations, or go as teachers of the gospel to heathen lands; but all are alike called to be missionaries for God, ministers of mercy to the world. They are to obtain an education that will help them to stand by the side of Christ in unselfish service. {PK 245.3}[5]
§12
当那个希伯来女子的父母将有关上帝的事教导她的时候，他们并不知道她将来的命运如何。但他们忠于所受的委托；后来他们的孩子在亚兰军队的元帅家中，为她所学习尊敬的上帝作了见证。[6]{PK 246.1}
§13
The parents of that Hebrew maid, as they taught her of God, did not know the destiny that would be hers. But they were faithful to their trust; and in the home of the captain of the Syrian host, their child bore witness to the God whom she had learned to honor.{PK 246.1}[6]
§14
乃缦听到了这个女子向她主母所说的话；他便取得了王的准许，带着“银子十他连得，金子六千舍客勒，衣裳十套，”去求医治。他也带着亚兰王给以色列王的信，信上写着说：“我打发臣仆乃缦去见你；你……要治好他的大麻风。”以色列王看了信，“就撕裂衣服，说：我岂是上帝，能使人死，使人活呢？这人竟打发人来，叫我治好他的大麻风。你们看一看，这人何以寻隙攻击我呢？”[7]{PK 246.2}
§15
Naaman heard of the words that the maid had spoken to her mistress; and, obtaining permission from the king, he went forth to seek healing, taking with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. He also carried a letter from the king of Syria to the king of Israel, in which was written the message, Behold, I have . . . sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. When the king of Israel read the letter, he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.{PK 246.2}[7]
§16
这个消息传到以利沙的耳中，他就打发人去见王说：“你为什么撕了衣服呢？可使那人到我这里来，他就知道以色列中有先知了。”[8]{PK 246.3}
§17
Tidings of the matter reached Elisha, and he sent word to the king, saying, Wherefore has thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.{PK 246.3}[8]
§18
“于是乃缦带着车马，到了以利沙的家，站在门前。”先知打发一个使者去吩咐他说：“你去在约旦河中沐浴七回，你的肉就必复原，而得洁净。”[9]{PK 246.4}
§19
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. Through a messenger the prophet bade him, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.{PK 246.4}[9]
§20
乃缦本来希望看到自天而来之能力的奇妙显示。他说：“我想他必定出来见我，站着求告耶和华他上帝的名，在患处以上摇手，治好这大麻风。”当他听说要在约旦河中沐浴的时候，他的自尊心受了伤害，因此他感到烦恼而失望地说：“大马士革的河，亚罢拿和法珥法，岂不比以色列的一切水更好吗？我在那里沐浴不得洁净吗？”于是他就“气忿忿的转身去了。”[10]{PK 246.5}
§21
Naaman had expected to see some wonderful manifestation of power from heaven. I thought, he said, he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. When told to wash in the Jordan, his pride was touched, and in mortification and disappointment he exclaimed, Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.{PK 246.5}[10]
§22
乃缦因心骄气傲而不肯遵照以利沙所指示的办法去行。这个亚兰元帅所提到的几条河流，因周围的丛林而倍觉美丽，许多人群集在这些景色宜人的河岸那里敬拜他们的偶像假神。如果要乃缦下到这些河流的任何一条之中去沐浴，他的心中就不会感到有多大屈辱。但是唯有遵循先知的特别指示，他才能得到痊愈。唯在甘心顺从，才能得到所期望的效果。[11]{PK 249.1}
§23
The proud spirit of Naaman rebelled against following the course outlined by Elisha. The rivers mentioned by the Syrian captain were beautified by surrounding groves, and many flocked to the banks of these pleasant streams to worship their idol gods. It would have cost Naaman no great humiliation of soul to descend into one of those streams. But it was only through following the specific directions of the prophet that he could find healing. Willing obedience alone would bring the desired result.{PK 249.1}[11]
§24
乃缦的仆人恳劝他遵行以利沙的指示。他们强调说：“先知若吩咐你作一件大事，你岂不作吗？何况说你去沐浴，而得洁净呢？”这时乃缦的信心正受着考验，同时骄傲却竭力要争取上风。但信心终于得胜，这个傲慢的亚兰人就放弃了他心中的骄念，顺服了耶和华明显的旨意。他“照着神人的话，在约旦河里沐浴七回。”结果他的信心得到了褒赏；“他的肉复原，好像小孩子的肉，他就洁净了。”[12]{PK 249.2}
§25
Naamans servants entreated him to carry out Elishas directions: If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, they urged, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? The faith of Naaman was being tested, while pride struggled for the mastery. But faith conquered, and the haughty Syrian yielded his pride of heart and bowed in submission to the revealed will of Jehovah. Seven times he dipped himself in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God. And his faith was honored; his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.{PK 249.2}[12]
§26
“乃缦带着一切跟随他的人，回到神人那里，”怀着感恩的心情承认说：“如今我知道，除了以色列之外，普天下没有上帝。”[13]{PK 249.3}
§27
Gratefully he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, with the acknowledgment, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.{PK 249.3}[13]
§28
乃缦按照当时的风俗，这时请求以利沙收下一批贵重的礼物。但先知不肯接受。他并不是要以上帝本乎怜悯而赐予的福惠来换取报酬。他说：“我指着所侍奉永生的耶和华起誓，我必不受。”这个亚兰人“再三的求他，他却不受。”[14]{PK 250.1}
§29
In accordance with the custom of the times, Naaman now asked Elisha to accept a costly present. But the prophet refused. It was not for him to take payment for a blessing that God had in mercy bestowed. As the Lord liveth, he said, I will receive none. The Syrian urged him to take it; but he refused.{PK 250.1}[14]
§30
“乃缦说：你若不肯受，请将两骡子驮的土赐给仆人；从今以后，仆人必不再将燔祭或平安祭献与别神，只献给耶和华。唯有一件事，愿耶和华饶恕你仆人：我主人进临门庙叩拜的时候，我用手搀他在临门庙，我也屈身；我在临门庙屈身的这事，愿耶和华饶恕我。”[15]{PK 250.2}
§31
And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord. In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing.{PK 250.2}[15]
§32
“以利沙对他说：你可以平平安安的回去。乃缦就离开他去了，走了不远。”[16]{PK 250.3}
§33
And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.{PK 250.3}[16]
§34
以利沙的仆人基哈西在这些年间，曾有机会培养那表现他主人毕生工作特征的克己精神。他原有特权在主的军队中作一个高贵的旗手。上天的一切至佳恩赐久已是他力所能及的；可惜他竟转而不顾这些，反倒贪求属世财富中的劣品。如今他那贪婪的宿望便导使他屈服于压倒一切的试探之下了。他自思自量着：“我主人不愿从这亚兰人乃缦手里受他带来的礼物；……我必跑去追上他，向他要些。”于是基哈西便这样暗暗地去“追赶乃缦。”[17]{PK 250.4}
§35
Gehazi, Elishas servant, had had opportunity during the years to develop the spirit of self-denial characterizing his masters lifework. It had been his privilege to become a noble standard-bearer in the army of the Lord. The best gifts of Heaven had long been within his reach; yet, turning from these, he had coveted instead the base alloy of worldly wealth. And now the hidden longings of his avaricious spirit led him to yield to an overmastering temptation. Behold, he reasoned within himself, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but . . . I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. And thus it came about that in secrecy Gehazi followed after Naaman.{PK 250.4}[17]
§36
“乃缦看见有人追赶，就急忙下车迎着他，说：都平安吗？说：都平安。”然后基哈西故意撒谎说：“刚才有两个少年人，是先知门徒，从以法莲山地来见我；请你赐他们一他连得银子，两套衣裳。”乃缦欣然答应了这个要求，并且不止给一他连得，而是勉强基哈西收下二他连得银子和“两套衣裳，”并打发仆人抬着送去。[18]{PK 251.1}
§37
When Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? And he said, All is well. Then Gehazi uttered a deliberate lie. My master, he said, hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from Mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. To the request Naaman gladly acceded, pressing upon Gehazi two talents of silver instead of one, with two changes of garments, and commissioning servants to bear the treasure back.{PK 251.1}[18]
§38
当基哈西走近以利沙的家时，他就打发仆人回去，随即将银子和衣裳藏起来。藏妥以后，“基哈西进去，站在他主人面前；”并且为使自己免受谴责起见，他又撒了第二次谎。基哈西回答先知所说“你从哪里来”的问题，他说：“仆人没有往哪里去。”[19]{PK 251.2}
§39
As Gehazi neared Elishas home, he dismissed the servants and placed the silver and the garments in hiding. This accomplished, he went in, and stood before his master; and, to shield himself from censure, he uttered a second lie. In response to the inquiry of the prophet, Whence comest thou? Gehazi answered, Thy servant went no whither.{PK 251.2}[19]
§40
于是以利沙发出严厉的责备，表明他知道这一切。他问道：“那人下车转回迎你的时候，我的心岂没有去呢？这岂是受银子、衣裳、买橄榄园、葡萄园、牛羊、仆婢的时候呢？因此乃缦的大麻风必沾染你和你的后裔，直到永远。”报应迅即临到这个犯罪的人。他“从以利沙面前退出去，就长了大麻风，像雪那样白。”[20]{PK 251.3}
§41
Then came the stern denunciation, showing that Elisha knew all. Went not mine heart with thee, he asked, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed forever. Swift was the retribution that overtook the guilty man. He went out from Elishas presence a leper as white as snow. {PK 251.3}[20]
§42
这个曾蒙赋予崇高而圣洁的特权之人的经历，所启发的教训颇为严肃。乃缦的心中原已启现奇妙的亮光，并已颇有好感地决心要侍奉永生的上帝，而基哈西的行为却如在他的路上放下一块绊脚石。基哈西所施行的欺骗是无可辩解的。他至死仍患着大麻风，为上帝所咒诅，为同胞所远避。[21]{PK 252.1}
§43
Solemn are the lessons taught by this experience of one to whom had been given high and holy privileges. The course of Gehazi was such as to place a stumbling block in the pathway of Naaman, upon whose mind had broken a wonderful light, and who was favorably disposed toward the service of the living God. For the deception practiced by Gehazi there could be pleaded no excuse. To the day of his death he remained a leper, cursed of God and shunned by his fellow men.{PK 252.1}[21]
§44
“作假见证的，必不免受罚；吐出谎言的，终不能逃脱。”（箴19:5）世人或许以为他们的恶行可以瞒过人的眼目；但是他们无法欺瞒上帝。“原来万物在那与我们有关系的主眼前，都是赤露敞开的。”（来4:13）基哈西想要欺骗以利沙，但上帝已将基哈西向乃缦所说的话，和他们二人之间的详细情形，都指示了他的先知。[22]{PK 252.2}
§45
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Proverbs 19:5. Men may think to hide their evil deeds from human eyes, but they cannot deceive God. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13. Gehazi thought to deceive Elisha, but God revealed to His prophet the words that Gehazi had spoken to Naaman, and every detail of the scene between the two men.{PK 252.2}[22]
§46
真理是出于上帝的；而各等各式的欺骗却都出自撒但；人无论在任何方面偏离诚实的正路，都是出卖自己，而致落在恶者的权势之下。凡学了基督样式的人必不至与人同行“那暗昧无益的事。”（弗5:11）他们在言语上，犹如他们在生活上一般，必是坦白、正直、诚实的；因为他们乃是准备与那些口中察不出谎言的圣者同行的。（见启14:5）[23]{PK 252.3}
§47
Truth is of God; deception in all its myriad forms is of Satan, and whoever in any way departs from the straight line of truth is betraying himself into the power of the wicked one. Those who have learned of Christ will have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Ephesians 5:11. In speech, as in life, they will be simple, straightforward, and true, for they are preparing for the fellowship of those holy ones in whose mouth is found no guile. See Revelation 14:5.{PK 252.3}[23]
§48
乃缦身体得了医治，心灵有了改变，回到他在亚兰的家中之后数百年，救主还提到他奇妙的信心并加以称赞，作为一切自称侍奉上帝之人的实例教训。救主说：“先知以利沙的时候，以色列中有许多长大麻风的；但内中除了叙利亚国的乃缦，没有一个得洁净的。”（路4:27）上帝对以色列中许多患大麻风的人置而不理，因为他们的不信关闭了他们的得福之门。一个信奉异教的贵胄，既然一向都忠于自己的正义感，并且感到自己的需要帮助，这在上帝看来，倒比以色列中那些轻视玩忽上帝所赐特权的患者更配承受他的福惠。上帝常为那些感戴他恩眷并响应天赐亮光的人行事。[24]{PK 252.4}
§49
Centuries after Naaman returned to his Syrian home, healed in body and converted in spirit, his wonderful faith was referred to and commended by the Saviour as an object lesson for all who claim to serve God. Many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet, the Saviour declared; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. Luke 4:27. God passed over the many lepers in Israel because their unbelief closed the door of good to them. A heathen nobleman who had been true to his convictions of right, and who felt his need of help, was in the sight of God more worthy of His blessing than were the afflicted in Israel, who had slighted and despised their God-given privileges. God works for those who appreciate His favors and respond to the light given them from heaven.{PK 252.4}[24]
§50
今日各国各方都有心灵诚实的人，而上天的亮光也正照在他们身上。如果他们继续忠心地履行他们所明白的本分，就必有更多的亮光赐给他们，直到他们像古时的乃缦一样不得不承认；除了创造主永生的上帝之外，“普天下没有上帝。”[25]{PK 253.1}
§51
Today in every land there are those who are honest in heart, and upon these the light of heaven is shining. If they continue faithful in following that which they understand to be duty, they will be given increased light, until, like Naaman of old, they will be constrained to acknowledge that there is no God in all the earth, save the living God, the Creator.{PK 253.1}[25]
§52
对于每一个“行在暗中，没有亮光”的诚实人，都发出了这个邀请：“当倚靠耶和华的名，仗赖自己的上帝。”因为“从古以来人未曾听见，未曾耳闻，未曾眼见，在你以外有什么神为等候他的人行事；你迎接那欢喜行义记念你道的人。”（赛50:10；64:4-5）[26]{PK 253.2}
§53
To every sincere soul that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, is given the invitation, Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him. Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember Thee in Thy ways. Isaiah 50:10;64:4, 5.{PK 253.2}[26]