第76章 高尚的标志
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第76章 高尚的标志
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Chapter 76—The Insignia of Nobility
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但以理和他的朋友在接受训练的三年时间里保持了节制的习惯和对上帝的忠诚，不断依靠祂的能力。到了国王要考查他们的才能和学识时，他们就与其他考生一同参加考试，以便为国家服务。结果“无一人能比但以理、哈拿尼雅、米沙利、亚撒利雅”。他们敏锐的思维，精练得当的语言和渊博的知识，证明他们的智力健全活跃。于是他们侍立在王面前。“王考问他们一切事，就见他们的智慧聪明，比通国的术士和用法术的，胜过十倍。”{MYP 241.1}[1]
§4
During their three years of training, Daniel and his associates maintained their abstemious habits, their allegiance to God, and their constant dependence upon His power. When the time came for their abilities and acquirements to be tested by the king, they were examined with other candidates for the service of the kingdom. But “among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.” Their keen apprehension, their choice and exact language, their extensive knowledge, testified to the unimpaired strength and vigor of their mental power. Therefore they stood before the king. “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”?{MYP 241.1}[1]
§5
上帝始终尊重行义的人。伟大的征服者把被占领国最有希望的青年人都聚中在巴比伦，但其中没有一个人能与希伯来的俘虏相比。他们健壮的体魄，坚定而敏捷的步伐，英俊的仪表，灵敏的感觉和纯净的气息，都是自然赋予顺从其定律之人的高尚标志。{MYP 241.2}[2]
§6
God always honors the right. The most promising youths from all the lands subdued by the great conqueror had been gathered at Babylon, yet amid them all the Hebrew captives were without a rival. The erect form, the firm, elastic step, the fair countenance, the undimmed senses, the untainted breath—all these were insignia of the nobility with which nature honors those who are obedient to her laws.?{MYP 241.2}[2]
§7
【身体的习惯对思想的影响】
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这里所提供的教训值得我们深思。严格顺从圣经的要求，会给身体和心灵带来福惠。圣灵的果子不仅有仁爱，喜乐，和平，还有节制。上帝吩咐我们不可玷污自己的身体；因为身体是圣灵的殿。{MYP 241.3}[3]
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【Effect of Physical Habits on the Mind】
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The lesson here presented is one that we would do well to ponder. A strict compliance with the Bible?requirements will be a blessing both to body and soul. The fruit of the Spirit is not only love, joy, and peace, but temperance also. We are enjoined not to defile our bodies; for they are the temples of the Holy Spirit.?{MYP 241.3}[3]
§11
那些希伯来俘虏是与我们一样性情的人。他们在巴比伦宫廷的奢侈影响中坚定屹立。今日的青年被纵欲的种种诱惑所包围。尤其是在我们的大城市里，形形色色满足情欲的娱乐随处可见，诱人视听。凡象但以理一样拒不玷污自己的人，必要获得节制习惯的报偿。他们既有更旺盛的精力和健壮的耐力，就象在银行存了款那样以备急用。{MYP 242.1}[4]
§12
The Hebrew captives were men of like passions with ourselves. Amid the seductive influences of the luxurious courts of Babylon, they stood firm. The youth of today are surrounded with allurements to self-indulgence. Especially in our large cities, every form of sensual gratification is made easy and inviting. Those who, like Daniel, refuse to defile themselves, will reap the reward of temperate habits. With their greater physical stamina and increased power of endurance, they have a bank of deposit upon which to draw in case of emergency.?{MYP 242.1}[4]
§13
正确的生活习惯会大大增进人的智力。智力，体力和寿命都有赖于不变的定律。大自然的上帝决不出面干预，保护人免受违犯自然律法的后果。凡较力争胜的，必须在凡事上节制。但以理清醒的头脑，坚强的意志，以及他追求知识和抗拒试探的能力，在很大的程度上有赖于他简单的饮食和祈祷的生活。{MYP 242.2}[5]
§14
Right physical habits promote mental superiority. Intellectual power, physical stamina, and length of life depend upon immutable laws. Nature’s God will not interfere to preserve men from the consequences of violating nature’s requirements. He who strives for the mastery must be temperate in all things. Daniel’s clearness of mind and firmness of purpose, his power in acquiring knowledge and in resisting temptation, were due in a great degree to the plainness of his diet, in connection with his life of prayer.?{MYP 242.2}[5]
§15
【决定自己的命运】
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“各人是自己命运的建筑师”，这句谚语很有道理。父母对于儿女品格的陶冶，以及教育和训练固然负有责任，但我们在世界上的地位和贡献，多半在于我们自己的行为。{MYP 242.3}[6]
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【Shaping Our Own Destiny】
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There is much sterling in the adage, “Every man is the architect of his own fortune.” While parents are responsible for the stamp of character, as well as for the education and training, of their sons and daughters, it is still true that our position?and usefulness in the world depend, to a great degree, upon our own course of action.?{MYP 242.3}[6]
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但以理和他的朋友固然享受了早年正确教育和训练的好处，但是单凭这些优势还不足以造就他们。到了他们必须独立行动的时候，他们的前途取决于他们自己的行为。这时他们就要下决心忠于自己在幼年所领受的教训。敬畏上帝是智慧的开端，也是他们伟大的基础。{MYP 243.1}[7]
§20
Daniel and his companions enjoyed the benefits of correct training and education in early life, but these advantages alone would not have made them what they were. The time came when they must act for themselves—when their future depended upon their own course. Then they decided to be true to the lessons given them in childhood. The fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, was the foundation of their greatness.?{MYP 243.1}[7]
§21
但以理和他朋友的历史记录在圣经里，是为了一切后世青年的益处。上帝藉着他们忠于节制原则的记录，向现代的男女青年说话，吩咐他们收集祂所赐有关基督化节制的宝贵亮光，遵从健康的定律。{MYP 243.2}[8]
§22
The history of Daniel and his youthful companions has been recorded on the pages of the inspired word for the benefit of the youth of all succeeding ages. Through the record of their fidelity to the principles of temperance, God is speaking today to young men and young women, bidding them gather up the precious rays of light He has given on the subject of Christian temperance, and place themselves in right relation to the laws of health.?{MYP 243.2}[8]
§23
【节制的丰富报偿】
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如今所需要的，是象但以理那样敢作敢为的人。今日世界所需要的，是纯洁的心和坚强无畏的手。上帝希望人类不断地进步，每天在美德的阶梯上攀得更高。如果我们努力自助，祂就会帮助我们。我们今世和来生幸福的希望，都寄托在我们今生的进步上。我们应步步小心，免得迈出不节制的第一步。{MYP 243.3}[9]
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【Temperance Richly Rewarded】
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There is now need of men who, like Daniel, will do and dare. A pure heart and a strong, fearless hand are wanted in the world today. God designed that man should be constantly improving, daily reaching a higher point in the scale of excellence. He will help us if we seek to help ourselves. Our hope of happiness in two worlds depends upon our improvement in one. At every point we should be guarded against the first approach to intemperance.?{MYP 243.3}[9]
§27
亲爱的青年：上帝呼召你们靠着祂的恩典去作力所能及的事。你们“将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是上帝所喜悦的，你们如此侍奉，乃是理所当然的。”要凭着上帝所赐的人格挺身而立。要显示出但以理那样纯洁的志趣，爱好和习惯。上帝必赐给你们镇定的神经，清醒的头脑，准确的判断力和敏锐的识别力。今日凡抱着坚强不移原则的青年，必获得身心的健康。——《青年导报》1903年7月9日{MYP 243.4}[10]
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Dear youth, God calls upon you to do a work which through His grace you can do. “Present?your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Stand forth in your God-given manhood and womanhood. Show a purity of tastes, appetite, and habits that bears comparison with Daniel’s. God will reward you with calm nerves, a clear brain, an unimpaired judgment, keen perceptions. The youth of today whose principles are firm and unwavering will be blessed with health of body, mind, and soul.—The Youth’s Instructor, July 9, 1903.?{MYP 243.4}[10]
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【宗教与健康】
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“敬畏耶和华是智慧的开端”。当沾染不良习惯，犯有罪行的人顺从上帝真理的能力时，上帝的圣言就会发出亮光，使愚人通达。真理既打动了人心，原来似乎瘫痪的道德力就得到了复苏。领受的人比以前有了更深刻、更清晰的认识。他的心牢系在永久的磐石上。由于深感自己在基督里有了保障，他的健康也得到了增进。宗教和健康的定律就这样携手并进了。——《教会证言》卷四553，554页。{MYP 244.1}[11]
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【Religion and Health】
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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When men of wrong habits and sinful practices yield to the power of divine truth, the entrance of God’s Word gives light and understanding to the simple. There is an application of truth to the heart; and moral power, which seemed to have been paralyzed, revives. The receiver is possessed of stronger, clearer understanding than before. He has riveted his soul to the Eternal Rock. Health improves, in the very sense of his security in Christ. Thus religion and the laws of health go hand in hand.—”Testimonies for the Church 4:553.?{MYP 244.1}[11]