第55章 外邦人的阴谋
§1
第55章 外邦人的阴谋
§2
Chap. 55 - Heathen Plots
§3
（本章根据：尼希米记6章）
§4
参巴拉和他的同党不敢公开与犹大人作战，但他们却怀着与日俱增的仇恨，不断地暗中设法令他们灰心、困惑，并受害。耶路撒冷周围的城墙很快就要完成了。如果城墙修竣、安门落闩，这些以色列的敌人就再也没有侵入城内的希望了。因此，他们更迫切地要阻止这工作，不能再耽延了。最后他们想出了一个计谋，企图借此使尼希米离开他的岗位，及至他落在他们势力范围之内时，他们就可杀害或监禁他。[1]{PK 653.1}
§5
Sanballat and his confederates dared not make open war upon the Jews; but with increasing malice they continued their secret efforts to discourage, perplex, and injure them. The wall about Jerusalem was rapidly approaching completion. When it should be finished and its gates set up, these enemies of Israel could not hope to force an entrance into the city. They were the more eager, therefore, to stop the work without further delay. At last they devised a plan by which they hoped to draw Nehemiah from his station, and while they had him in their power, to kill or imprison him.{PK 653.1}[1]
§6
他们假装要谋求双方和解，愿与尼希米进行谈判，所以请他到阿挪平原的一个村庄相会，但尼希米受圣灵启示，看出他们的真正意图，便加以拒绝了。他写道：“我差遣人去见他们说，我现在办理大工，不能下去，焉能停工，下去见你们呢？”但引诱他的人坚持要求。他们一连四次送来相同重要的信息，而每次所得到的都是同样的答复。[2]{PK 653.2}
§7
Pretending to desire a compromise of the opposing parties, they sought a conference with Nehemiah, and invited him to meet them in a village on the plain of Ono. But enlightened by the Holy Spirit as to their real purpose, he refused. I sent messengers unto them, he writes, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? But the tempters were persistent. Four times they sent a message of similar import, and each time they received the same answer.{PK 653.2}[2]
§8
他们发觉这个计谋不能奏效，就采取另一个更大胆的策略。参巴拉差派一个使者到尼希米那里，拿着一封未封的信说：“外邦人中有风声，迦施慕（就是基善）也说，你和犹大人谋反，修造城墙，你要作他们的王。你又派先知在耶路撒冷指着你宣讲说，在犹大有王，现在这话必传于王知。所以请你来，与我们彼此商议。”[3]{PK 654.1}
§9
Finding this scheme unsuccessful, they resorted to a more daring stratagem. Sanballat sent Nehemiah a messenger bearing an open letter which said: It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king. . . . And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.{PK 654.1}[3]
§10
如果信中所提的谣言确已传开，那就真有值得惧怕的原因了。因为它势必很快传到王的耳中，而王若生出些微的猜疑，就可能采取最严厉的手段。但尼希米明知这封信完全是虚构的，不过是要引起他的恐惧，使他陷入圈套。这个推论更因信在递送时并未封口的事实而确定了，这显然是要使民众都可以阅读其内容，因而发生恐慌并饱受威胁。[4]{PK 654.2}
§11
Had the reports mentioned been actually circulated, there would have been cause for apprehension; for they would soon have been carried to the king, whom a slight suspicion might provoke to the severest measures. But Nehemiah was convinced that the letter was wholly false, written to arouse his fears and draw him into a snare. This conclusion was strengthened by the fact that the letter was sent open, evidently that the people might read the contents, and become alarmed and intimidated.{PK 654.2}[4]
§12
尼希米立即回答说：“你所说的这事，一概没有，是你心里捏造的。”尼希米绝不是不洞悉撒但的诡计。他深知这一类的企图乃为使建造之人的手发软，因而令他们的努力归于无效。[5]{PK 654.3}
§13
He promptly returned the answer. There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. Nehemiah was not ignorant of Satans devices. He knew that these attempts were made in order to weaken the hands of the builders and thus frustrate their efforts. {PK 654.3}[5]
§14
撒但已一再失败，这时他怀着更深的仇恨和狡谋，为上帝的仆人布置了一个更阴险的圈套。参巴拉和他的同伴贿买了一些自称与尼希米友好的人，给他一些恶意的建议，冒称是主的话语。参与这种不法之事的魁首，乃是尼希米以前非常尊重的示玛雅。这个人将自己关在靠近圣所的一间小屋内，表示害怕自己的性命有危险。这时圣殿已有墙垣和门户保护，但城门还没有安立。示玛雅自称很关心尼希米的安全，所以劝他躲藏在圣殿里面。他建议说：“我们不如在上帝的殿里会面，将殿门关锁，因为他们要来杀你，就是夜里来杀你。”[6]{PK 655.1}
§15
Again and again had Satan been defeated; and now, with deeper malice and cunning, he laid a still more subtle and dangerous snare for the servant of God. Sanballat and his companions hired men who professed to be the friends of Nehemiah, to give him evil counsel as the word of the Lord. The chief one engaged in this iniquitous work was Shemaiah, a man previously held in good repute by Nehemiah. This man shut himself up in a chamber near the sanctuary as if fearing that his life was in danger. The temple was at this time protected by walls and gates, but the gates of the city were not yet set up. Professing great concern for Nehemiahs safety, Shemaiah advised him to seek shelter in the temple. Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, he proposed, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.{PK 655.1}[6]
§16
尼希米如果听从这种诡诈的劝告，就要放弃他对于上帝的信心，并且在民众的眼前露出怯懦卑鄙的态度。由于他所从事的工作如此重要，并且他曾宣称信靠上帝的能力，如今他若躲藏起来，似乎惧怕不堪，那便是言行全不相符了。这种恐慌的情绪势必在民间传开，而人人都自求安全，圣城就得不到保护，势必沦陷于敌人之手。尼希米若作这种不智之举，那就必前功尽弃了。[7]{PK 655.2}
§17
Had Nehemiah followed this treacherous counsel, he would have sacrificed his faith in God, and in the eyes of the people he would have appeared cowardly and contemptible. In view of the important work that he had undertaken, and the confidence that he professed to have in the power of God, it would have been altogether inconsistent for him to hide as if in fear. The alarm would have spread among the people, each would have sought his own safety, and the city would have been left unprotected, to fall a prey to its enemies. That one unwise move on the part of Nehemiah would have been a virtual surrender of all that had been gained.{PK 655.2}[7]
§18
尼希米很快就看透了这个劝告他之人的真相与目的。他说：“我看明上帝没有差遣他，是他自己说这话攻击我，是多比雅和参巴拉贿买了他。贿买他的缘故，是要叫我惧怕，依从他犯罪，他们好传扬恶言毁谤我。”[8]{PK 655.3}
§19
Nehemiah was not long in penetrating the true character and object of his counselor. I perceived that God had not sent him, he says, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.{PK 655.3}[8]
§20
示玛雅所提出的无耻建议，还被其他几个有声望的人所赞同呢，原来他们口称是尼希米的友人，而实际上却是暗中与他的敌人勾结的。但他们所布置的圈套并不能生效。尼希米的无畏答复是：“像我这样的人，岂要逃跑呢？像我这样的人，岂能进入殿里保全生命呢？我不进去。”[9]{PK 656.1}
§21
The infamous counsel given by Shemaiah was seconded by more than one man of high reputation, who, while professing to be Nehemiahs friends, were secretly in league with his enemies. But it was to no avail that they laid their snare. Nehemiahs fearless answer was: Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. {PK 656.1}[9]
§22
尽管敌人公开或暗中施行各样的阴谋，但修造的工作依然稳步前进，结果在尼希米回到耶路撒冷不满两个月的时间内，全城就被它的墙垣围护起来，而建造的人也能在城墙上行走，俯瞰城外失败而惊骇万状的敌人了。尼希米写道：“我们一切仇敌、四围的外邦人，听见了便惧怕，愁眉不展。因为见这工作完成，是出乎我们的上帝。”[10]{PK 657.1}
§23
Notwithstanding the plots of enemies, open and secret, the work of building went steadily forward, and in less than two months from the time of Nehemiahs arrival in Jerusalem the city was girded with its defenses and the builders could walk upon the walls and look down upon their defeated and astonished foes. When all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, Nehemiah writes, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.{PK 657.1}[10]
§24
可惜连这种显明主手掌管万事的凭据，也不足以抑制以色列人中的不满、悖逆和变节。“犹大的贵胄屡次寄信与多比雅，多比雅也来信与他们。在犹大有许多人与多比雅结盟，因他是示迦尼的女婿。”那与拜偶像之人通婚而有的恶果于兹可见了。犹大的一个家族已经和上帝的仇敌结合，而这种关系业已显明乃是一个网罗。还有许多其他的人也犯了这同样的错误。这些人正像那些同以色列从埃及出来的闲杂人一样，成了连绵不绝的烦扰之源。他们并不专心为上帝服务，及至他的圣工需要他们牺牲时，他们就随时会违背自己先前表示合作与支持的严肃誓言。[11]{PK 657.2}
§25
Yet even this evidence of the Lords controlling hand was not sufficient to restrain discontent, rebellion, and treachery among the Israelites. The nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah. Here are seen the evil results of intermarriage with idolaters. A family of Judah had become connected with the enemies of God, and the relation had proved a snare. Many others had done the same. These, like the mixed multitude that came up with Israel from Egypt, were a source of constant trouble. They were not wholehearted in His service; and when Gods work demanded a sacrifice, they were ready to violate their solemn oath of co-operation and support.{PK 657.2}[11]
§26
有几个过去最积极布置阴谋陷害犹大人的仇敌，现在也表示愿意同他们修好了。那些已陷于与拜偶像者通婚的罪中，并曾谋叛地与多比雅多次通信，而起誓为他效劳的犹大贵胄们，这时竟称赞多比雅为一个精明干练的人，犹大人如与他缔结盟约一定大有裨益。同时，他们常将尼希米的计划和行动密告多比雅。如此，上帝子民的工作就公然遭受敌人的袭击，并授予机会来歪曲尼希米的言行，及阻挠他的工作了。[12]{PK 657.3}
§27
Some who had been foremost in plotting mischief against the Jews, now professed a desire to be on friendly terms with them. The nobles of Judah who had become entangled in idolatrous marriages, and who had held traitorous correspondence with Tobiah and taken oath to serve him, now represented him as a man of ability and foresight, an alliance with whom would be greatly to the advantage of the Jews. At the same time they betrayed to him Nehemiahs plans and movements. Thus the work of Gods people was laid open to the attacks of their enemies, and opportunity was given to misconstrue Nehemiahs words and acts, and to hinder his work.{PK 657.3}[12]
§28
从前当贫苦和受欺压的人上诉于尼希米，要求为他们伸冤时，他曾勇敢地为他们辩护，并促使作恶的人除去所加于他们的污辱。但那时他为受欺凌的同胞所施行的威权，这时他却没有为自己运用。他的努力虽然遭遇到某些人的忘恩负义和奸诈背信，但他并没有利用自己的权柄来惩办这些叛徒。他仍旧泰然自若、大公无私地继续为民众服务，既不懈怠，也不灰心。[13]{PK 658.1}
§29
When the poor and oppressed had appealed to Nehemiah for redress of their wrongs, he had stood boldly in their defense and had caused the wrongdoers to remove the reproach that rested on them. But the authority that he had exercised in behalf of his downtrodden countrymen he did not now exercise in his own behalf. His efforts had been met by some with ingratitude and treachery, but he did not use his power to bring the traitors to punishment. Calmly and unselfishly he went forward in his service for the people, never slackening his efforts or allowing his interest to grow less.{PK 658.1}[13]
§30
撒但的攻击始终集中于那些力求推进上帝圣工的人。他虽屡遭挫败，但仍以新的力量，采用从未试过的手段卷土重来。但最可怕的乃是，他借着那些自称是上帝圣工之友的人所进行的秘密活动。公开的反对可能是猛烈而残酷的，但它对于上帝圣工的危害性还远不及那些口称侍奉上帝，而在心中却是撒但之仆人所怀的阴险敌意。这班人足可使那些蓄意拦阻上帝圣工，并陷害他仆人的人得到许多便利。[14]{PK 658.2}
§31
Satans assaults have ever been directed against those who have sought to advance the work and cause of God. Though often baffled, he as often renews his attacks with fresh vigor, using means hitherto untried. But it is his secret working through those who avow themselves the friends of Gods work, that is most to be feared. Open opposition may be fierce and cruel, but it is fraught with far less peril to Gods cause than is the secret enmity of those who, while professing to serve God, are at heart the servants of Satan. These have it in their power to place every advantage in the hands of those who will use their knowledge to hinder the work of God and injure His servants. {PK 658.2}[14]
§32
黑暗之君所能提示的一切方法，都必用来引诱上帝的仆人与撒但的爪牙缔结盟约。必有屡次的邀请来叫他们擅离工作岗位，但他们应当像尼希米一样坚决地回答说：“我现在办理大工，不能下去。”上帝的工人尽可安心继续工作，而让自己的努力来反驳那恶意捏造以中伤他们的谰言。他们要像耶路撒冷城墙上的工人一样，不因威胁、讥嘲或谎言而离开工作岗位。他们不可片刻松懈自己的警惕，因为仇敌一直跟踪着他们。他们务须经常祷告上帝，“昼夜防备。”（尼4:9）[15]{PK 659.1}
§33
Every device that the prince of darkness can suggest will be employed to induce Gods servants to form a confederacy with the agents of Satan. Repeated solicitations will come to call them from duty; but, like Nehemiah, they should steadfastly reply, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Gods workers may safely keep on with their work, letting their efforts refute the falsehoods that malice may coin for their injury. Like the builders on the walls of Jerusalem they must refuse to be diverted from their work by threats or mockery or falsehood. Not for one moment are they to relax their watchfulness or vigilance, for enemies are continually on their track. Ever they must make their prayer to God and set a watch against them day and night. Nehemiah 4:9.{PK 659.1}[15]
§34
当此末日临近的时候，撒但必以加倍的力量来试探上帝的工人。他要利用人为工具来讥诮辱骂那些“修造城墙”的人。但建造的人如果下来应付敌人的攻击，这样就势必耽误工作。他们固应尽力挫败仇敌的意图，但他们万不可容让任何事物引使他们离开自己的工作。真理总比谬论有力，正义也必战胜邪恶。[16]{PK 659.2}
§35
As the time of the end draws near, Satans temptations will be brought to bear with greater power upon Gods workers. He will employ human agents to mock and revile those who build the wall. But should the builders come down to meet the attacks of their foes, this would but retard the work. They should endeavor to defeat the purposes of their adversaries, but they should not allow anything to call them from their work. Truth is stronger than error, and right will prevail over wrong.{PK 659.2}[16]
§36
他们也不可让敌人得到他们的友谊与同情，借此引诱他们离开工作岗位。人若因任何冒昧的行为而使上帝的事工备受污辱，或使他同工的手“发软。”就必使自己品格染上一个不易磨灭的污点，同时也在自己将来效能的道路上布下了一道严重的障碍。[17]{PK 659.3}
§37
Neither should they allow their enemies to gain their friendship and sympathy, and thus lure them from their post of duty. He who by any unguarded act exposes the cause of God to reproach, or weakens the hands of his fellow workers, brings upon his own character a stain not easily removed, and places a serious obstacle in the way of his future usefulness. {PK 659.3}[17]
§38
“违弃律法的，夸奖恶人。”（箴28:4）当那些一面与世俗联合，一面却宣称非常纯洁的人倡言应与那些向来反对真理事工之人联合时，我们便应感到恐惧，而像尼希米那样坚决地远避他们。这一类的劝告乃是众善之敌所策动的。这是机会主义者的论调，而今日仍当像古时一样断然予以拒绝。凡足以使上帝子民对他引领之能的信心发生动摇的影响，都应坚决地加以抗御。[18]{PK 660.1}
§39
They that forsake the law praise the wicked. Proverbs 28:4. When those who are uniting with the world, yet claiming great purity, plead for union with those who have ever been the opposers of the cause of truth, we should fear and shun them as decidedly as did Nehemiah. Such counsel is prompted by the enemy of all good. It is the speech of timeservers, and should be resisted as resolutely today as then. Whatever influence would tend to unsettle the faith of Gods people in His guiding power, should be steadfastly withstood.{PK 660.1}[18]
§40
尼希米的敌人之所以不能引诱他落于他们的权势之下，乃因他坚定地献身于上帝的圣工，并同样坚定地信靠上帝。一个懈怠的生灵极易为试探所胜，但在一个具有高尚目标和专一宗旨的生活中，罪恶就难于找到立足之地。一个经常向前迈进之人的信心是决不致衰弱的，因为他体认到那无限的慈爱，常在上下远近各方面支配万事来成就他的美意。上帝的真仆人应以不屈不挠的决心从事工作，因为施恩宝座乃是他们经常的倚靠。[19]{PK 660.2}
§41
In Nehemiahs firm devotion to the work of God, and his equally firm reliance on God, lay the reason of the failure of his enemies to draw him into their power. The soul that is indolent falls an easy prey to temptation; but in the life that has a noble aim, an absorbing purpose, evil finds little foothold. The faith of him who is constantly advancing does not weaken; for above, beneath, beyond, he recognizes Infinite Love, working out all things to accomplish His good purpose. Gods true servants work with a determination that will not fail because the throne of grace is their constant dependence.{PK 660.2}[19]
§42
上帝已经为我们人力所不足以应付的一切危机，供备了神圣的援助。他赐下圣灵来济助每一项急难，加强我们的盼望和信念，光照我们的思想并洁净我们的心灵。他提供很多的机会，并打开许多工作的门路。他的子民只要留意他圣旨的指示，并随时准备与他合作，就必看到伟大的成果。[20]{PK 660.3}
§43
God has provided divine assistance for all the emergencies to which our human resources are unequal. He gives the Holy Spirit to help in every strait, to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our minds and purify our hearts. He provides opportunities and opens channels of working. If His people are watching the indications of His providence, and are ready to co-operate with Him, they will see mighty results.{PK 660.3}[20]