第37章 被掳到巴比伦
§1
第37章 被掳到巴比伦
§2
Chap. 37 - Carried Captive Into Babylon
§3
西底家作王第九年，“巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒率领全军，来攻击耶路撒冷，围困这城。”（王下25:1）犹大的前途是毫无希望的了。主亲自借着以西结宣称：“我与你为敌。”“我耶和华已经拔刀出鞘，必不再入鞘。……人心都必消化，手都发软，精神衰败，膝弱如水。”“我必将我的恼恨倒在你身上，将我烈怒的火喷在你身上，又将你交在善于杀灭的畜类人手中。”（结21:3,5-7,31）[1]{PK 452.1}
§4
In the ninth year of Zedekiahs reign Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, to besiege the city. 2 Kings 25:1. The outlook for Judah was hopeless. Behold, I am against thee, the Lord Himself declared through Ezekiel. I the Lord have drawn forth My sword out of his sheath it shall not return any more. . . . Every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water. I will pour out Mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of My wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skillful to destroy. Ezekiel 21:3, 5-7, 31.{PK 452.1}[1]
§5
埃及人极力设法要来援救这个被围困的城，迦勒底人为要防止他们，所以暂时撤退了围困犹大京城的军兵。因此西底家的心中生出了希望，便派人去请耶利米为希伯来民族而祈祷上帝。[2]{PK 452.2}
§6
The Egyptians endeavored to come to the rescue of the beleaguered city; and the Chaldeans, in order to keep them back, abandoned for a time their siege of the Judean capital. Hope sprang up in the heart of Zedekiah, and he sent a messenger to Jeremiah, asking him to pray to God in behalf of the Hebrew nation.{PK 452.2}[2]
§7
先知可怕的答复乃是，迦勒底人必要回来毁灭这城。命令已经发出，这个怙恶不悛的国家无法再避免神的刑罚了。主警告他的子民说：“你们不要自欺，……迦勒底人……必不离开。你们即便杀败了与你们争战的迦勒底全军，但剩下受伤的人，也必各人从帐棚里起来，用火焚烧这城。”（耶37:9-10）犹大剩下的人都必被掳去，要在患难中学习他们在比较顺利的环境中所不肯学习的教训。那守望的圣者所发出的这个命令是无可上诉的了。[3]{PK 453.1}
§8
The prophets fearful answer was that the Chaldeans would return and destroy the city. The fiat had gone forth; no longer could the impenitent nation avert the divine judgments. Deceive not yourselves, the Lord warned His people. The Chaldeans . . . shall not depart. For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire. Jeremiah 37:9, 10. The remnant of Judah were to go into captivity, to learn through adversity the lessons they had refused to learn under circumstances more favorable. From this decree of the holy Watcher there could be no appeal.{PK 453.1}[3]
§9
这时耶路撒冷城里还有一些义人，神的旨意曾经向他们显明，他们中间有几个人决心要将那藏有上面写着十诫之法版的神圣约柜，挪到强暴人之手所无法触及的地方去。他们就这样行了。他们以悲哀忧伤之情将约柜藏在一个山洞里，这柜因以色列和犹大众民的罪而与他们隔离被隐藏起来，以后再不归还他们了。那神圣的约柜至今仍隐藏着。自从它被隐藏以后，始终没有受过惊动。[4]{PK 453.2}
§10
Among the righteous still in Jerusalem, to whom had been made plain the divine purpose, were some who determined to place beyond the reach of ruthless hands the sacred ark containing the tables of stone on which had been traced the precepts of the Decalogue. This they did. With mourning and sadness they secreted the ark in a cave, where it was to be hidden from the people of Israel and Judah because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hidden. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted.{PK 453.2}[4]
§11
耶利米多年来站在众民面前，作上帝忠心的见证人。如今，当这不幸的城邑将要落到外邦人的手中时，他就认为自己的工作已经完成，便想要离去，但被一个假先知的儿子拦阻了，这人去告发说耶利米要去投降巴比伦人，因为他过去屡次劝告犹大要顺服他们。先知不承认这个虚谎的控告，虽然如此，但“首领恼怒耶利米，就打了他，将他囚在……监牢。”（耶37:15）[5]{PK 453.3}
§12
For many years Jeremiah had stood before the people as a faithful witness for God; and now, as the fated city was about to pass into the hands of the heathen, he considered his work done and attempted to leave, but was prevented by a son of one of the false prophets, who reported that Jeremiah was about to join the Babylonians, to whom he had repeatedly urged the men of Judah to submit. The prophet denied the lying charge, but nevertheless the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison. Verse 15.{PK 453.3}[5]
§13
当尼布甲尼撒的军队南调去应付埃及人时，犹大的首领和民众心中所生出的希望，很快就化为泡影了。主曾说：“埃及王法老啊，我与你……为敌。”埃及的力量不过是一根折断的芦苇。圣灵已经启示说：“埃及一切的居民，因向以色列家成了芦苇的杖，就知道我是耶和华。”“我必扶持巴比伦王的膀臂，法老的膀臂却要下垂；我将我的刀交在巴比伦王手中，他必举刀攻击埃及地；他们就知道我是耶和华。”(结29:3,6；30:25)[6]{PK 454.1}
§14
The hopes that had sprung up in the hearts of princes and people when the armies of Nebuchadnezzar turned south to meet the Egyptians, were soon dashed to the ground. The word of the Lord had been, Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt. The might of Egypt was but a broken reed. All the inhabitants of Egypt, Inspiration had declared, shall know that I am the Lord, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. Ezekiel 29:3, 6; 30:25.{PK 454.1}[6]
§15
当犹大的首领还妄想从埃及获得帮助时，西底家王却焦忧地想念到那被囚入监的上帝的先知。过了多日，王就把他传来，私下问他说：“从耶和华有什么话临到没有？”耶利米回答说：“有！又说，你必交在巴比伦王手中。[7]{PK 454.2}
§16
While the princes of Judah were still vainly looking toward Egypt for help, King Zedekiah with anxious foreboding was thinking of the prophet of God that had been thrust into prison. After many days the king sent for him and asked him secretly, Is there any word from the Lord? Jeremiah answered, There is: for, said He, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.{PK 454.2}[7]
§17
耶利米又对西底家王说，我在什么事上得罪你，或你的臣仆，或这百姓，你竟将我囚在监里呢？对你们预言巴比伦王必不来攻击你们和这地的先知，现今在哪里呢？主我的王啊，求你现在垂听，准我在你面前的恳求，不要使我回到文士约拿单的房屋中，免得我死在那里。”（耶37:17-20）[8]{PK 454.3}
§18
Moreover Jeremiah said unto King Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison? Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land? Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there. Jeremiah 37:17-20.{PK 454.3}[8]
§19
因此西底家王就下令，要他们“把耶利米交在护卫兵的院中，每天从饼铺街取一个饼给他，直到城中的饼用尽了。这样，耶利米仍在护卫兵的院中。”（耶37:21）[9]{PK 455.1}
§20
At this Zedekiah commanded that they commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. Verse 21.{PK 455.1}[9]
§21
王不敢公然表示相信耶利米。他虽因受恐惧所驱使而私下求问先知，但他还是太懦弱了，不敢冒着首领和民众的反对去顺从先知所宣示的上帝的旨意。[10]{PK 455.2}
§22
The king dared not openly manifest any faith in Jeremiah. Though his fear drove him to seek information of him privately, yet he was too weak to brave the disapprobation of his princes and of the people by submitting to the will of God as declared by the prophet.{PK 455.2}[10]
§23
耶利米在护卫兵的院中，继续劝人服从巴比伦的统治。起而违抗必自取死亡。主传给犹大的信息乃是：“住在这城里的，必遭刀剑、饥荒、瘟疫而死；但出去归降迦勒底人的，必得存活，就是以自己命为掠物的，必得存活。”这话是简明而肯定的。先知更奉主的圣名勇敢地说：“这城必要交在巴比伦王军队的手中，他必攻取这城。”（耶38:2-3）[11]{PK 455.3}
§24
From the court of the prison Jeremiah continued to advise submission to the Babylonian rule. To offer resistance would be to invite sure death. The message of the Lord to Judah was: He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live. Plain and positive were the words spoken. In the name of the Lord the prophet boldly declared, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylons army, which shall take it. Jeremiah 38:2, 3.{PK 455.3}[11]
§25
首领们因耶利米屡次的劝告均与他们决定抵抗的政策相违，就大为忿怒，终于向王提出强硬的抗议，力陈先知为全国的公敌，因为他的话使民众的手发软，并为他们招来了不幸，故此应该将他处死。[12]{PK 455.4}
§26
At last the princes, enraged over the repeated counsels of Jeremiah, which were contrary to their set policy of resistance, made a vigorous protest before the king, urging that the prophet was an enemy to the nation, and that his words had weakened the hands of the people and brought misfortune upon them; therefore he should be put to death.{PK 455.4}[12]
§27
懦弱的国王明知这些控告是虚假的，但为要讨好那些在国内身居高位的人，他就假装相信他们的谎言，而将耶利米交在他们的手中，任凭他们随意处理。先知便被“下在哈米勒的儿子玛基雅的牢狱里，那牢狱在护卫兵的院中；他们用绳子将耶利米系下去。牢狱里没有水，只有淤泥，耶利米就陷在淤泥中。”（耶38:6）但上帝为他兴起了几个朋友，他们代他向王提出要求，结果又将他迁回护卫兵的院中。[13]{PK 456.1}
§28
The cowardly king knew that the charges were false; but in order to propitiate those who occupied high and influential positions in the nation, he feigned to believe their falsehoods and gave Jeremiah into their hands to do with him as they pleased. The prophet was cast into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. Verse 6. But God raised up friends for him, who besought the king in his behalf, and had him again removed to the court of the prison.{PK 456.1}[13]
§29
后来王又再度私下把耶利米叫来，命他忠实地说明上帝对耶路撒冷所有的旨意。耶利米反问王说：“我若告诉你，你岂不定要杀我吗？我若劝诫你，你必不听从我。”于是王与先知私下订了约。西底家保证说：“我指着那造我们生命之永生的耶和华起誓，我必不杀你，也不将你交在寻索你命的人手中。”（耶38:15-16）[14]{PK 456.2}
§30
Once more the king sent privately for Jeremiah, and bade him faithfully relate the purpose of God toward Jerusalem. In response, Jeremiah inquired, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me? The king entered into a secret compact with the prophet. As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, Zedekiah promised, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life. Verses 15, 16.{PK 456.2}[14]
§31
这时王还有机会可以表示听从耶和华警告的意愿，借此使那正降于耶路撒冷城和全国的刑罚中掺合一点怜悯。当时所传给王的信息是：“你若出去归降巴比伦王的首领，你的命就必存活，这城也不至被火焚烧，你和你全家都必存活。你若不出去归降巴比伦的首领，这城必交在迦勒底人手中，他们必用火焚烧，你也不得脱离他们的手。”[15]{PK 456.3}
§32
There was still opportunity for the king to reveal a willingness to heed the warnings of Jehovah, and thus to temper with mercy the judgments even now falling on city and nation. If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylons princes, was the message given the king, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: but if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylons princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.{PK 456.3}[15]
§33
王回答说：“我怕那些投降迦勒底人的犹大人，恐怕迦勒底人将我交在他们手中，他们戏弄我。”但是先知向他保证说：“迦勒底人必不将你交出。”后来他又加上诚恳的劝告说：“求你听从我对你所说耶和华的话；这样你必得好处，你的命也必存活。”（耶38:17-20）[16]{PK 457.1}
§34
I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, the king replied, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me. But the prophet promised, They shall not deliver thee. And he added the earnest entreaty, Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. Verses 17-20.{PK 457.1}[16]
§35
上帝甚至在最后的时刻，还显是如此显明自己乐意施恩与凡决心顺从他公义之要求的人。如果王决心顺从的话，民众的生命就可保全，而城也不致被火焚烧，但他总认为自己回头已经太晚了。他怕犹大人，怕受戏弄，怕丧失性命。西底家在多年背叛上帝之后，就认为自己若向民众说：“我领受了主借着先知耶利米所说的话，我不敢违背这许多警告而与敌人作战，”这未免太失尊严了。[17]{PK 457.2}
§36
Thus even to the last hour, God made plain His willingness to show mercy to those who would choose to submit to His just requirements. Had the king chosen to obey, the lives of the people might have been spared, and the city saved from conflagration; but he thought he had gone too far to retrace his steps. He was afraid of the Jews, afraid of ridicule, afraid for his life. After years of rebellion against God, Zedekiah thought it too humiliating to say to his people, I accept the word of the Lord, as spoken through the prophet Jeremiah; I dare not venture to war against the enemy in the face of all these warnings.{PK 457.2}[17]
§37
耶利米含着眼泪恳劝西底家拯救他自己和他的百姓。他痛心地向他陈述，他若不听从上帝的劝告，决不能保全性命，而他一切所有的都必落在巴比伦人的手中。但王已经踏入歧途，而且不肯转回。他决心听从假先知和他顾问的建议，这些顾问实际是他所轻视的，而他们也常因他如此轻易屈从他们的心愿而讥诮他的懦弱。他竟牺牲了自己作大丈夫高贵的自由，而变成了迎合公众意见的奴隶。他虽未定意作恶，但也没有决心勇敢地坚持正义。他虽察知耶利米所给予的劝告的价值，但他没有道义的魄力去顺从，结果他就一直朝着错误的方向而行。[18]{PK 457.3}
§38
With tears Jeremiah entreated Zedekiah to save himself and his people. With anguish of spirit he assured him that unless he should heed the counsel of God, he could not escape with his life, and all his possessions would fall to the Babylonians. But the king had started on the wrong course, and he would not retrace his steps. He decided to follow the counsel of the false prophets, and of the men whom he really despised, and who ridiculed his weakness in yielding so readily to their wishes. He sacrificed the noble freedom of his manhood and became a cringing slave to public opinion. With no fixed purpose to do evil, he was also without resolution to stand boldly for the right. Convicted though he was of the value of the counsel given by Jeremiah, he had not the moral stamina to obey; and as a consequence he advanced steadily in the wrong direction.{PK 457.3}[18]
§39
王真是太懦弱了，甚至不愿他的朝臣和民众知道他曾与耶利米会谈过，惧怕人的心理已全然控制了他。西底家若勇敢地坚立，声明他相信先知所讲的业已应验一半，就可避免何等的毁灭啊。他应当说：“我决定顺从主，并拯救这个城邑免于全然毁灭。我不敢因畏惧或讨好人而不顾上帝的命令。我爱好真理，恨恶罪恶，所以我愿顺从以色列大能者的训示而行。”[19]{PK 458.1}
§40
The king was even too weak to be willing that his courtiers and people should know that he had held a conference with Jeremiah, so fully had the fear of man taken possession of his soul. If Zedekiah had stood up bravely and declared that he believed the words of the prophet, already half fulfilled, what desolation might have been averted! He should have said, I will obey the Lord, and save the city from utter ruin. I dare not disregard the commands of God because of the fear or favor of man. I love the truth, I hate sin, and I will follow the counsel of the Mighty One of Israel.{PK 458.1}[19]
§41
这样，民众就会尊重他勇敢的风度，而那些经常徘徊于信与不信之间的人也会为正义而坚立了。这种勇毅与严正的行为，自必使他的臣民激发钦佩和效忠之心。他就会获得足够的支持，而犹大就必能免于杀戮、饥荒与大火等难以形容的灾祸了。[20]{PK 458.2}
§42
Then the people would have respected his courageous spirit, and those who were wavering between faith and unbelief would have taken a firm stand for the right. The very fearlessness and justice of this course would have inspired his subjects with admiration and loyalty. He would have had ample support, and Judah would have been spared the untold woe of carnage and famine and fire.{PK 458.2}[20]
§43
西底家的懦弱乃是一种罪恶，他也为此付出了可怖的代价。敌人像无可抗拒的崩雪般长驱直入，蹂躏全城。希伯来的军队溃乱败退。全国都被征服了。西底家被捉拿，他的众子当着他的面被杀。而他本人则被剜掉双眼，并被掳离开耶路撒冷，到了巴比伦就悲惨地死了。那四百年来矗立于锡安山上的壮丽圣殿也没有幸免。“迦勒底人焚烧上帝的殿，拆毁耶路撒冷的城墙，用火烧了城里的宫殿，毁坏了城里宝贵的器皿。”（代下36:19）[21]{PK 458.3}
§44
The weakness of Zedekiah was a sin for which he paid a fearful penalty. The enemy swept down like a resistless avalanche and devastated the city. The Hebrew armies were beaten back in confusion. The nation was conquered. Zedekiah was taken prisoner, and his sons were slain before his eyes. The king was led away from Jerusalem a captive, his eyes were put out, and after arriving in Babylon he perished miserably. The beautiful temple that for more than four centuries had crowned the summit of Mount Zion was not spared by the Chaldeans. They burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 2 Chronicles 36:19.{PK 458.3}[21]
§45
在尼布甲尼撒最后攻陷耶路撒冷的时候，许多人虽然逃脱了长期围困的恐怖，但仍不免死于刀下。在那些幸存的人中，有一些特别是祭司长和国内的首领臣宰，都被带到巴比伦，在那里被定为叛徒而处死。其他的人则被掳去作尼布甲尼撒和他子孙的仆婢，“直到波斯国兴起来，这就应验耶和华借耶利米口所说的话。”（代下36:20-21）[22]{PK 459.1}
§46
At the time of the final overthrow of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, many had escaped the horrors of the long siege, only to perish by the sword. Of those who still remained, some, notably the chief of the priests and officers and the princes of the realm, were taken to Babylon and there executed as traitors. Others were carried captive, to live in servitude to Nebuchadnezzar and to his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah. Verses 20, 21.{PK 459.1}[22]
§47
关于耶利米本人，《圣经》记载说，巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒提到耶利米，嘱咐护卫长尼布撒拉旦说：“你领他去，好好的看待他，切不可害他。他对你怎么说，你就向他怎么行。”（耶39:11-12）[23]{PK 460.1}
§48
Of Jeremiah himself it is recorded: Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuchadnezzar-adan the captain of the guard, saying, Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. Jeremiah 39:11, 12.{PK 460.1}[23]
§49
先知既被巴比伦的官长从牢狱里释放出来，就决定与迦勒底人所留下的一些“民中最穷的……修理葡萄园，耕种田地”的人患难相共（耶52:16）。巴比伦人立基大利为省长来管理这些人。但仅过了几个月，这个新立的省长竟被叛徒所刺杀。那些穷人经过许多的折磨之后，终于被他们的领袖说服而去埃及地避难。耶利米则大声疾呼地反对这种迁移。他恳劝说：“不要进入埃及去。”可惜这默示的劝告没有人听从，结果“所剩下的犹大人，就是……男人、妇女、孩童”都逃往埃及去，“到了答比匿。这是因他们不听从耶和华的话。”（耶43:5-7）[24]{PK 460.2}
§50
Released from prison by the Babylonian officers, the prophet chose to cast in his lot with the feeble remnant, certain poor of the land left by the Chaldeans to be vinedressers and husbandmen. Over these the Babylonians set Gedaliah as governor. Only a few months passed before the newly appointed governor was treacherously slain. The poor people, after passing through many trials, were finally persuaded by their leaders to take refuge in the land of Egypt. Against this move, Jeremiah lifted his voice in protest. Go ye not into Egypt, he pleaded. But the inspired counsel was not heeded, and all the remnant of Judah, . . . even men, and women, and children, took flight into Egypt. They obeyed not the voice of the Lord: thus came they even to Tahpanhes. Jeremiah 43:5-7.{PK 460.2}[24]
§51
在耶利米向那些借逃往埃及而背叛尼布甲尼撒的“余数”所宣布降灾的预言中，也掺合着给凡愿意悔改自己的愚妄而准备回去之人的赦罪应许。主虽然决不饶恕那些转离他的训言而依从埃及拜偶像之蛊惑影响的人，但他同时也向那些表示忠贞的人施恩。他说：“脱离刀剑，从埃及地归回犹大地的人数很少，那进入埃及地要在那里寄居的，就是所剩下的犹大人，必知道是谁的话立得住，是我的话呢？是他们的话呢？”(耶44:28)[25]{PK 460.3}
§52
The prophecies of doom pronounced by Jeremiah upon the remnant that had rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar by fleeing to Egypt were mingled with promises of pardon to those who should repent of their folly and stand ready to return. While the Lord would not spare those who turned from His counsel to the seductive influences of Egyptian idolatry, yet He would show mercy to those who should prove loyal and true. A small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, He declared; and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, Mine, or theirs. Jeremiah 44:28.{PK 460.3}[25]
§53
先知对于那些原应作世界属灵亮光之人的刚愎行为的哀伤，以及他为锡安与被掳往巴比伦之民的厄运的悲痛，都可以在他所写的哀歌中看出来，这些哀歌记载下来作为纪念，显明离弃耶和华的训诲而依从人的智慧，是多么地愚妄。耶利米在这样的败亡中，仍然宣称：“我们不至消灭，是出于耶和华诸般的慈爱。”他经常的祈祷乃是：“我们当深深考察自己的行为，再归向耶和华。”（哀3:22,40）当犹大还是列邦中的一个国家时，他曾求问他的上帝说：“你全然弃掉犹大吗？你心厌恶锡安吗？”他也曾大胆恳求说：“求你为你的名的缘故，不厌恶我们。”（耶14:19-21）先知笃信上帝永恒的旨意，乃要从混乱中导致秩序，并向地上的列国和全宇宙显明他的公义和慈爱的本性，因此他现在满有把握地为那些可能转离邪恶而归向公义的代求。[26]{PK 461.1}
§54
The sorrow of the prophet over the utter perversity of those who would have been the spiritual light of the world, his sorrow over the fate of Zion and of the people carried captive to Babylon, is revealed in the lamentations he has left on record as a memorial of the folly of turning from the counsels of Jehovah to human wisdom. Amid the ruin wrought, Jeremiah could still declare, It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed; and his constant prayer was, Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Lamentations 3:22, 40. While Judah was still a kingdom among the nations, he had inquired of his God, Hast Thou utterly rejected Judah? hath Thy soul loathed Zion? and he had made bold to plead, Do not abhor us, for Thy names sake. Jeremiah 14:19, 21. The prophets absolute faith in Gods eternal purpose to bring order out of confusion, and to demonstrate to the nations of earth and to the entire universe His attributes of justice and love, now led him to plead confidently in behalf of those who might turn from evil to righteousness.{PK 461.1}[26]
§55
但这时锡安已经完全毁灭了，上帝的子民已经被掳。先知不胜忧伤地感叹说：“先前满有人民的城，现在何竟独坐！先前在列国中为大的，现在竟如寡妇！先前在诸省中为王后的，现在成为进贡的。她夜间痛哭，泪流满腮，在一切所亲爱的中间没有一个安慰她的。她的朋友都以诡诈待她，成为她的仇敌。”[27]{PK 461.2}
§56
But now Zion was utterly destroyed; the people of God were in their captivity. Overwhelmed with grief, the prophet exclaimed: How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.{PK 461.2}[27]
§57
“犹大因遭遇苦难，又因多服劳苦，就迁到外邦。她住在列国中，寻不着安息，追逼她的，都在狭窄之地将她追上。锡安的路径，因无人来守圣节就悲伤。她的城门凄凉，她的祭司叹息，她的处女受艰难，自己也愁苦。她的敌人为首，她的仇敌亨通。因耶和华为她许多的罪过使她受苦，她的孩童被敌人掳去。”[28]{PK 462.1}
§58
Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits. The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.{PK 462.1}[28]
§59
“主何竟发怒，使黑云遮蔽锡安城？他将以色列的华美从天扔在地上，在他发怒的日子并不记念自己的脚凳。主吞灭雅各一切的住处，并不顾惜。他发怒倾覆犹大民的保障，使这保障坍倒在地。他辱没这国和其中的首领。他发烈怒，把以色列的角全然砍断，在仇敌面前收回右手。他像火焰四围吞灭，将雅各烧毁。他张弓，好像仇敌。他站着举起右手，如同敌人，将悦人眼目的，尽行杀戮。在锡安百姓的帐棚上，倒出他的忿怒像火一样。”[29]{PK 462.2}
§60
How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not His footstool in the day of His anger! The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: He hath thrown down in His wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah; He hath brought them down to the ground: He hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof. He hath cut off in His fierce anger all the horn of Israel: He hath drawn back His right hand from before the enemy, and He burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about. He hath bent His bow like an enemy: He stood with His right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: He poured out His fury like fire.{PK 462.2}[29]
§61
“耶路撒冷的民哪，我可用什么向你证明呢？我可用什么与你相比呢？锡安的民哪，我可拿什么和你比较，好安慰你呢？因为你的裂口大如海，谁能医治你呢？”[30]{PK 463.1}
§62
What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?{PK 463.1}[30]
§63
“耶和华啊，求你记念我们所遭遇的事，观看我们所受的凌辱。我们的产业归与外邦人；我们的房屋归与外路人。我们是无父的孤儿，我们的母亲好像寡妇。……我们列祖犯罪，而今不在了，我们担当他们的罪孽。奴仆辖制我们，无人救我们脱离他们的手。……这些事我们心里发昏，我们的眼睛昏花。”[31]{PK 463.2}
§64
Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows. . . . Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities. Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand. . . . For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim.{PK 463.2}[31]
§65
“耶和华啊，你存到永远，你的宝座存到万代。你为何永远忘记我们？为何许久离弃我们？耶和华啊，求你使我们向你回转，我们便得回转；求你复新我们的日子，像古时一样。”（哀1:1-5；2:1-4,13；5:1-3,7-8,17,19-21）[32]{PK 463.3}
§66
Thou, O Lord, remainest forever; Thy throne from generation to generation. Wherefore dost Thou forget us forever, and forsake us so long time? Turn Thou us unto Thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. Lamentations 1:1-5;2:1-4, 13; Lamentations 5:1-3, 7, 8, 17, 19-21.{PK 463.3}[32]