第17章 耶利米责备以色列人
§1
第17章 耶利米责备以色列人
§2
Chap. 17 - Jeremiah Reproves Israel
§3
耶和华交给耶利米一道斥责的信息，要传给祂的子民，指责他们一再拒绝祂的劝告，说：“我从早起来警戒你们，你们却不听从我。我从早起来差遣我的仆人众先知去，说，你们各人当回头，离开恶道，改正行为，不随从事奉别神，就必住在我所赐给你们和你们列祖的地上”（耶35:14,15）。{4T 164.2}[1]
§4
The Lord gave Jeremiah a message of reproof to bear to his people, charging them with the continual rejection of Gods counsel: I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto Me. I have sent also unto you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers. {4T 164.2}[1]
§5
上帝恳劝他们不要用他们心里想的和手里做的惹动祂的怒气，但他们“却不听从。”耶利米接着预告犹太人要被俘掳，作为他们不听从上帝话语的惩罚。上帝使用迦勒底人作为祂的工具，来惩罚背逆的子民。这惩罚要和他们的领受力及他们所轻视的警告相称。上帝因为不愿意祂的子民蒙羞，所以长久延迟祂的审判；而今祂要作最后的努力，向他们表示祂的不悦，希望他们能迷途知返。{4T 164.3}[2]
§6
God pleaded with them not to provoke Him to anger with the work of their hands and their hearts, but they hearkened not. Jeremiah then predicted the captivity of the Jews as their punishment for not heeding the word of the Lord. The Chaldeans were to be used as the instrument by which God would chastise His disobedient people. Their punishment was to be in proportion to their intelligence and to the warnings they had despised. God had long delayed His judgments because of His unwillingness to humiliate His chosen people, but now He would visit His displeasure upon them as a last effort to check them in their evil course. {4T 164.3}[2]
§7
现在，祂没有设立新的计划，以保守祂子民的纯洁。与古时一样，祂恳求那些自称是祂子民却又不断犯错的人悔改，由他们所作的恶行中转回。祂如今和先前一样，藉着祂所拣选的仆人，向他们预告当前的危险。祂正象耶利米时代一样如实地发出警告，斥责罪恶。但今日的以色列民，同样面对漠视指责和恨恶劝告的试探，有如古时的以色列人一般。他们也时常掩耳不听上帝藉着祂仆人给予自称相信真理之人的话语。主虽像在耶利米的日子一样，本着怜悯暂时没有报应他们的罪恶，但祂不会永远住手，而必用公义的审判惩罚罪孽。{4T 165.1}[3]
§8
In these days He has instituted no new plan to preserve the purity of His people. As of old, He entreats the erring ones who profess His name to repent and turn from their evil ways. Now, as then, by the mouth of His chosen servants He predicts the dangers before them. He sounds the note of warning and reproves sin just as faithfully as in the days of Jeremiah. But the Israel of our time have the same temptations to scorn reproof and hate counsel as had ancient Israel. They too often turn a deaf ear to the words that God has given His servants for the benefit of those who profess the truth. Though the Lord in mercy withholds for a time the retribution of their sin, as in the days of Jeremiah, He will not always stay His hand, but will visit iniquity with righteous judgment. {4T 165.1}[3]
§9
耶和华吩咐耶利米站在耶和华殿的院子中，向来到那里敬拜的全体犹太人讲话，把祂要赐给他的话都说出来，一字不可删减，以便他们听从，转离恶道。然后上帝就会后悔，不降祂曾因他们的罪恶而定意加给他们的惩罚。{4T 165.2}[4]
§10
The Lord commanded Jeremiah to stand in the court of the Lords house and speak unto all the people of Judah who came there to worship, those things which He would give him to speak, diminishing not a word, that they might hearken and turn from their evil ways. Then God would repent of the punishment which He had purposed to inflict upon them because of their wickedness. {4T 165.2}[4]
§11
这就生动地表明了耶和华不愿惩罚祂犯错的子民。祂延缓了祂的审判；恳求他们重新效忠于祂。祂曾救他们脱离奴役，以便他们忠实地侍奉祂，就是唯一真实永活的上帝；他们却迷途陷入了偶像崇拜中，轻视了祂藉众先知传给他们的警告。可是祂推迟了祂的惩罚，要再给他们一次机会，悔改和防止对他们罪恶的报应。如今祂藉着所拣选的先知传给他们一个清楚明确的警告，且将他们可以避免应受惩罚的唯一路线摆在他们面前，就是要充分悔改他们的罪，转离他们的恶道。{4T 165.3}[5]
§12
The unwillingness of the Lord to chastise His erring people is here vividly shown. He stays His judgments; He pleads with them to return to their allegiance. He had brought them out of bondage that they might faithfully serve Him, the only true and living God; but they had wandered into idolatry, they had slighted the warnings given them by His prophets. Yet He defers His chastisement to give them one more opportunity to repent and avert the retribution for their sin. Through His chosen prophet he now sends them a clear and positive warning, and lays before them the only course by which they can escape the punishment which they deserve. This is a full repentance of their sin and a turning from the evil of their ways. {4T 165.3}[5]
§13
耶和华吩咐耶利米对百姓说：“耶和华如此说：‘你们若不听从我，不遵行我设立在你们面前的律法，不听我从早起来差遣到你们那里去我仆人众先知的话（你们还是没有听从），我就必使这殿如示罗，使这城为地上万国所咒诅的’”（耶26:4-6）。他们明白这是说到示罗和非利士人胜过以色列人，上帝的约柜被掳去的时候。{4T 166.1}[6]
§14
The Lord commanded Jeremiah to say to the people: Thus saith the Lord; If ye will not hearken to Me, to walk in My law, which I have set before you, to hearken to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. They understood this reference to Shiloh and the time when the Philistines overcame Israel and the ark of God was taken. {4T 166.1}[6]
§15
以利的罪是轻率地放过了他担任圣职的儿子们的罪孽。这位父亲疏忽责备和制止他的儿子们，给以色列带来了可怕的灾难。以利的两个儿子被杀，以利自己也丧了命，上帝的约柜从以色列被掳去，三万以色列人被杀。这一切都是因为他们轻看和保留了罪。这对在上帝的教会中身居要职的人来说是何等可怕的教训啊！这责令他们忠实地除掉羞辱真理圣工的错误。{4T 166.2}[7]
§16
The sin of Eli was in passing lightly over the iniquity of his sons, who were occupying sacred offices. The neglect of the father to reprove and restrain his sons brought upon Israel a fearful calamity. The sons of Eli were slain, Eli himself lost his life, the ark of God was taken from Israel, and thirty thousand of the people were slain. All this was because sin was lightly regarded and allowed to remain among them. What a lesson is this to men holding responsible positions in the church of God! It adjures them faithfully to remove the wrongs that dishonor the cause of truth. {4T 166.2}[7]
§17
在撒母耳的时代，以色列人以为内有上帝诫命的约柜的同在会使他们胜过非利士人，无论他们是否悔改自己的恶行。在耶利米的时代也是这样，犹太人以为严格遵守上帝指定的圣殿崇祀，会使他们的恶行免受应得的刑罚。{4T 166.3}[8]
§18
In the days of Samuel, Israel thought that the presence of the ark containing the commandments of God would gain them the victory over the Philistines, whether or not they repented of their wicked works. Just so, in Jeremiahs time, the Jews believed that the strict observance of the divinely appointed services of the temple would preserve them from the just punishment of their evil course. {4T 166.3}[8]
§19
今日在自称为上帝律法保管者的子民中，也有同样的危险存在。他们太易于自以为持守诫命便可保守他们免受上帝审判的权势。他们拒绝因行恶受责备，并指责上帝的仆人太热心于从营中除去罪恶。嫉恶如仇的上帝，正呼召凡自称守祂律法的人远离诸般的不义。今日上帝的子民，若疏于悔改和顺从祂的道，也必招来严重的后果，犹如古代的以色列人犯同样的罪所受的一样。主有一限度，若是过此限度，上帝必不迟延施行其惩罚。耶路撒冷的毁灭在现代的以色列面前是一个严肃的警告，藉着上帝所拣选的器皿给予的纠正，人若轻视就必受到惩罚。{4T 167.1}[9]
§20
The same danger exists today among the people who profess to be the depositaries of Gods law. They are too apt to flatter themselves that the regard in which they hold the commandments will preserve them from the power of divine justice. They refuse to be reproved for evil, and charge Gods servants with being too zealous in putting sin out of the camp. A sin-hating God calls upon those who profess to keep His law to depart from all iniquity. Neglect to repent and obey His word will bring as serious consequences upon Gods people today as did the same sin upon ancient Israel. There is a limit beyond which He will no longer delay His judgments. The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel, that the corrections given through His chosen instruments cannot be disregarded with impunity. {4T 166.4}[9]
§21
众祭司和百姓听到耶利米奉耶和华的名传给他们的信息时，他们极其恼怒，宣布他是该死的。他们冲冲大怒地谴责他，喊着说：“你为何托耶和华的名预言，说这殿必如示罗，这城必变为荒场无人居住呢？于是众民都在耶和华的殿中聚集到耶利米那里”（耶16:9）。上帝的信息就这样受到了藐视，祂所托付这信息的仆人受到了死亡的威胁。祭司，不忠心的先知和众民转而将忿怒倾在耶利米身上，因他不愿向他们说柔和的话、言虚幻的事（赛30:10）。{4T 167.2}[10]
§22
When the priests and the people heard the message that Jeremiah delivered to them in the name of the Lord, they were very angry and declared that he should die. They were boisterous in their denunciations of him, crying: Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord. Thus was the message of God despised and the servant with whom He entrusted it threatened with death. The priests, the unfaithful prophets, and all the people turned in wrath upon him who would not speak to them smooth things and prophesy deceit. {4T 167.1}[10]
§23
上帝坚定忠贞的仆人们通常受到宗教假教师们最苦毒的迫害。但是真正的先知总是宁愿忍受责骂甚至死亡，也不愿不忠于上帝。上帝无穷的慧眼关注着祂藉以发出责备的器皿，他们负有沉重的责任。但是上帝看人们藉着歪曲、谎言或辱骂对他们造成的伤害就象做在祂自己身上一样，而且必定予以相应的惩罚。{4T 167.3}[11]
§24
The unfaltering servants of God have usually suffered the bitterest persecution from false teachers of religion. But the true prophets will ever prefer reproach, and even death, rather than unfaithfulness to God. The Infinite Eye is upon the instruments of divine reproof, and they bear a heavy responsibility. But God regards the injury done to them through misrepresentation, falsehood, or abuse as though it were done unto Himself, and will punish accordingly. {4T 167.2}[11]
§25
犹大的首领听到了关于耶利米的话，就从王宫上到耶和华的殿，坐在耶和华殿的门口。“祭司、先知对首领和众民说：‘这人是该死的；因为他说预言攻击这城，正如你们亲耳所听见的。’”但耶利米勇敢地站在首领和众民面前，宣布说：“耶和华差遣我预言，攻击这殿和这城，说你们所听见的这一切话。现在要改正你们的行动作为，听从耶和华你们上帝的话，祂就必后悔，不将所说的灾祸降与你们。至于我，我在你们手中，你们眼看何为善，何为正，就那样待我吧！但你们要确实地知道，若把我治死，就使无辜人的血归到你们和这城，并其中的居民了；因为耶和华实在差遣我到你们这里来，将这一切话传与你们耳中”（耶26:10-15）。{4T 167.4}[12]
§26
The princes of Judah had heard concerning the words of Jeremiah and came up from the kings house and sat in the entry of the Lords house. Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. But Jeremiah stood boldly before the princes and the people, declaring: The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent Him of the evil that He hath pronounced against you. As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears. {4T 167.3}[12]
§27
如果先知耶利米被那些位高权重之人的威胁和暴民的叫嚣吓倒，他的信息就一定没有功效，他也必丧失性命。但他履行其痛苦职责的勇气博得了群众的尊敬，并使以色列的首领转过来帮助他。这样，上帝就兴起了一些人为祂的仆人辩护。他们与祭司和假先知辩论，向他们指出他们所主张的极端措施是多么不智。{4T 168.1}[13]
§28
Had the prophet been intimidated by the threats of those in high authority and the clamoring of the rabble, his message would have been without effect, and he would have lost his life. But the courage with which he discharged his painful duty commanded the respect of the people and turned the princes of Israel in his favor. Thus God raised up defenders for His servant. They reasoned with the priests and false prophets, showing them how unwise would be the extreme measures which they advocated. {4T 168.1}[13]
§29
这些有权势之人的影响在民众中心起了反应。长老们也表示反对祭司们对于耶利米的命运所拟出的决定。他们提出弥迦的例子。弥迦曾经预言耶路撒冷遭受刑罚的事说：“锡安必被耕种象一块田，耶路撒冷必变为乱堆，这殿的山必象丛林的高处。”他们发问道：“犹大王希西家和犹大众人岂是把他治死呢？希西家岂不是敬畏耶和华，恳求祂的恩吗？耶和华就后悔，不把自己所说的灾祸降于他们。若治死这人，我们就作了大恶，自害己命”（耶26:18-19）。{4T 168.2}[14]
§30
The influence of these powerful persons produced a reaction in the minds of the people. Then the elders united in protesting against the decision of the priests regarding the fate of Jeremiah. They cited the case of Micah, who prophesied judgments upon Jerusalem, saying: Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest. They put to them the question: Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the Lord, and besought the Lord, and the Lord repented Him of the evil which He had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls. {4T 168.2}[14]
§31
这样，由于亚希甘和他人的恳劝，耶利米的性命才得保全，尽管许多祭司和假先知因不能忍受他所讲揭露他们恶行的真理，而巴不得把他作为叛徒置于死地。{4T 168.3}[15]
§32
So, through the pleading of Ahikam and others, the prophet Jeremiahs life was spared; although many of the priests and false prophets would have been pleased had he been put to death on the plea of sedition, for they could not endure the truths that he uttered exposing their wickedness. {4T 168.3}[15]
§33
但以色列仍不悔改，耶和华看到他们必须因自己的罪受到惩罚；所以祂指示耶利米做轭与绳索，加在自己的颈项上，且把绳索与轭送到以东王、摩押王、亚扪王、推罗王、西顿王那里，且嘱咐使臣说上帝已将这些地都交给巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒，这些国都要侍奉他和他的后裔一定的时间，直到上帝解放他们的时候。他们要宣布，这些国家若是不肯侍奉巴比伦王，就要遭受饥荒、刀剑、瘟疫的刑罚，直到他们被消灭。耶和华说：“至于你们，不可听从你们的先知和占卜的、圆梦的、观兆的，以及行邪术的；他们告诉你们说：‘你们不至服事巴比伦王。’他们向你们说假预言，要叫你们迁移，远离本地，以致我将你们赶出去，使你们灭亡。但哪一邦肯把颈项放在巴比伦王的轭下服事他，我必使那邦仍在本地存留，得以耕种居住。这是耶和华说的”（耶27:9-11）。{4T 168.4}[16]
§34
But Israel remained unrepentant, and the Lord saw that they must be punished for their sin; so He instructed Jeremiah to make yokes and bonds and place them upon his neck, and to send them to the kings of Edom, of Moab, of the Ammonites, and of Tyrus and Zidon, commanding the messengers to say that God had given all these lands to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and that all these nations should serve him and his descendants for a certain time, till God should deliver them. They were to declare that if these nations refused to serve the king of Babylon, they should be punished with famine, with the sword, and with pestilence, till they should be consumed. Therefore, said the Lord, hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the Lord; and they shall till it, and dwell therein. {4T 168.4}[16]
§35
耶利米宣布他们要负奴役的轭七十年；已经被巴比伦王掳去的人，和耶和华殿中被取走的器皿，也要留在巴比伦，直到那段时间过去。但是在那七十年结束的时候，上帝要把他们从被掳到之地救出来，也会刑罚压迫他们的人，征服骄傲的巴比伦王。{4T 169.1}[17]
§36
Jeremiah declared that they were to wear the yoke of servitude for seventy years; and the captives that were already in the hands of the king of Babylon, and the vessels of the Lords house which had been taken, were also to remain in Babylon till that time had elapsed. But at the end of the seventy years God would deliver them from their captivity and would punish their oppressors and bring into subjection the proud king of Babylon. {4T 169.1}[17]
§37
来自不同国家的使臣奉命与犹大王商量跟巴比伦王打仗的事。但上帝的先知戴着臣服的象征，向这些国家传达了耶和华的信息，嘱咐他们将之传给各自的君王。这是一位仁慈的上帝能加给一班如此悖逆的子民的最轻的惩罚，但是他们若敌对这道奴役的天命，就要体验到祂十足严厉的惩罚。他们受到忠实地警告，不要听从他们的假教师，那些人预言的是虚谎。{4T 169.2}[18]
§38
Ambassadors came from the various nations named to consult with the king of Judah as to the matter of engaging in battle with the king of Babylon. But the prophet of God, bearing the symbols of subjection, delivered the message of the Lord to these nations, commanding them to bear it to their several kings. This was the lightest punishment that a merciful God could inflict upon so rebellious a people, but if they warred against this decree of servitude they were to feel the full rigor of His chastisement. They were faithfully warned not to listen to their false teachers, who prophesied lies. {4T 169.2}[18]
§39
当耶利米颈项上带着顺服的轭，来向各国的使节说明上帝的旨意时，他们就不胜惊异。但上帝曾藉着耶利米警告祂的百姓要反对的假先知中，有一个叫哈拿尼雅的扬声反对所宣布的预言。哈拿尼雅想要博得国王和朝廷的欢心，就声称上帝已有勉励犹大人的话传给他说：“万军之耶和华以色列的上帝如此说：我已经折断巴比伦的轭，二年之内，我要将巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒从这地掠到巴比伦的器皿就是耶和华殿中的一切器皿，都带回此地。我又要将犹大王约雅敬的儿子耶哥尼雅和被掳到巴比伦去的一切犹大人带回此地，因为我要折断巴比伦王的轭。这是耶和华说的”（耶28:2-4）。{4T 170.1}[19]
§40
The amazement of the assembled council of nations knew no bounds when Jeremiah, carrying the yoke of subjection about his neck, made known to them the will of God. But Hananiah, one of the false prophets against whom God had warned His people through Jeremiah, lifted up his voice in opposition to the prophecy declared. Wishing to gain the favor of the king and his court, he affirmed that God had given him words of encouragement for the Jews. Said he: Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the Lords house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: and I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the Lord: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. {4T 170.1}[19]
§41
耶利米当着众祭司和百姓说，他心中切愿上帝这样眷顾祂的百姓，将耶和华殿中的器皿和被掳的人都从巴比伦带回来；但这事只有满足了条件才能做成，就是百姓要悔改，转离他们的恶道，顺从上帝的律法。耶利米热爱他的国家，强烈希望所预言的荒凉可以藉着百姓的谦卑得以避免，但他知道这种心愿是枉然的。他希望以色列受到的刑罚尽量轻些，所以他诚恳地劝他们服从巴比伦王，直到上帝所指定的时期。{4T 170.2}[20]
§42
Jeremiah, in the presence of all the priests and the people, said that it was the earnest wish of his heart that God would so favor His people that the vessels of the Lords house might be returned and the captives brought back from Babylon; but this could only be done on condition that the people repented and turned from their evil way to the obedience of Gods law. Jeremiah loved his country and ardently wished that the desolation predicted might be averted by the humiliation of the people, but he knew the wish was vain. He hoped the punishment of Israel would be as light as possible, therefore he earnestly entreated them to submit to the king of Babylon for the time that the Lord specified. {4T 170.2}[20]
§43
他劝他们听从他所说的话。他向他们引证何西阿、哈巴谷、西番雅和其他先知的话。这些先知所传讲责备和警告的话与他所传的是相同的。他也提到他们历史中的许多事件如何应验了上帝对于怙恶不悛之徒所发报应罪恶的预言。有时，像这种情况一样，人们起来反对上帝的信息，预言平安顺利以减轻百姓的恐惧，博得那些在高位之人的欢心。但在过去的每一个实例中，上帝的刑罚已经照真先知所预言的报应在以色列身上。他说：“先知预言的平安，到话语成就的时候，人便知道他真是耶和华所差来的”（耶28:9）。以色列若宁愿冒险，则日后事情的发展必能确定谁是假先知了。{4T 170.3}[21]
§44
He entreated them to hear the words that he spoke. He cited them to the prophecies of Hosea, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been similar to his own. He referred them to events which had transpired in their history in fulfillment of the prophecies of retribution for unrepented sins. Sometimes, as in this case, men had arisen in opposition to the message of God and had predicted peace and prosperity to quiet the fears of the people and gain the favor of those in high places. But in every past instance the judgment of God had been visited upon Israel as the true prophets had indicated. Said he: The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him. If Israel chose to run the risk, future developments would effectually decide which was the false prophet. {4T 170.3}[21]
§45
但哈拿尼雅却被这话激怒了，他取下耶利米项上的轭，折断了。“哈拿尼雅又当着众民说：‘耶和华如此说：二年之内我必照样从列国人的颈项上折断巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒的轭。”于是先知耶利米就走了’”（耶28:11）。他已经做完了自己的工作；他已警告了众民他们的危险；他已指出了他们藉以重得上帝眷爱的唯一做法。但是虽然他唯一的罪名就是忠实地传达了上帝给一班不信之民的信息，他们还是嘲笑了他的话，位高权重的人公开指责了他，试图激动民众把他杀死。{4T 171.1}[22]
§46
But Hananiah, incensed at this, took the yoke from Jeremiahs neck and broke it. And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way. He had done his work; he had warned the people of their danger; he had pointed out the only course by which they could regain the favor of God. But though his only crime was that he had faithfully delivered the message of God to an unbelieving people, they had mocked his words, and men in responsible positions had denounced him and tried to arouse the people to put him to death. {4T 171.1}[22]
§47
但上帝又有一道信息传给耶利米：“你去告诉哈拿尼雅说：‘耶和华如此说：你折断木轭，却换了铁轭。’因为万军之耶和华以色列的上帝如此说：我已将铁轭加在这些国的颈项上，使他们服侍巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒，他们总要服侍他；我也把田野的走兽给了他。于是先知耶利米对先知哈拿尼雅说：哈拿尼雅啊，你应当听！耶和华并没有差遣你，你竟使这百姓依靠谎言。所以耶和华如此说：看哪，我要叫你去世，你今年必死！因为你向耶和华说了叛逆的话。这样，先知哈拿尼雅当年七月间就死了”（耶28:13-17）。{4T 171.2}[23]
§48
But another message was given to Jeremiah: Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also. Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The Lord hath not sent thee but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord. So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month. {4T 171.2}[23]
§49
这个假先知曾增强百姓对于耶利米和他信息的不信之心，并恶意地宣称自己为耶和华的使者，便因他可怕的罪行丧失了性命。耶利米在五月里预言哈拿尼雅的死，到了七月里他的死证明先知的话是真的。{4T 171.3}[24]
§50
This false prophet had strengthened the unbelief of the people in Jeremiah and his message. He had wickedly declared himself to be the Lords messenger, and he suffered death in consequence of his fearful crime. In the fifth month Jeremiah prophesied the death of Hananiah, and in the seventh month his death proved the words of the prophet true. {4T 171.3}[24]
§51
上帝曾说祂的子民会得救，还说只要他们没有怨言地顺从祂的计划，祂加在他们身上的轭就是轻的。他们要受的奴役是用木轭来代表的，是容易负的；但抗拒从严，如同铁轭。上帝原意是要抑制巴比伦王，以致没有人被处死或受到难堪的压迫。但他们因嘲笑祂的警告和命令而给自己带来了十分严酷的奴役。对百姓来说，接受假先知的信息要合意得多，假先知预言了繁荣昌盛；所以假信息就被接受了。不断把他们的罪恶摆在他们面前，伤了他们的自尊；他们宁愿看不到这些罪恶。他们处在如此的道德黑暗中，以致认识不到自己的罪行是恶极了，也不赏识上帝所赐给他们的督责和警告的信息。要是他们对自己的悖逆有正确的认识，他们原会承认耶和华的作为是公义的，并且承认祂先知的权威。上帝恳劝他们悔改，以便祂不使他们蒙羞受辱，称为祂名下的子民不至于从属于一个异教国家。但他们藐视了祂的劝勉，追随了假先知。{4T 172.1}[25]
§52
God had said that His people should be saved, that the yoke He would lay upon them should be light, if they submitted uncomplainingly to His plan. Their servitude was represented by a yoke of wood, which was easily borne; but resistance would be met with corresponding severity, represented by the yoke of iron. God designed to hold the king of Babylon in check, that there should be no loss of life nor galling oppression; but by scorning His warning and commands they brought upon themselves the full rigor of bondage. It was far more agreeable to the people to receive the message of the false prophet, who predicted prosperity; therefore it was received. It wounded their pride to have their sins brought continually before their eyes; they would much rather put them out of sight. They were in such moral darkness that they did not realize the enormity of their guilt nor appreciate the messages of reproof and warning given them of God. Had they had a proper sense of their disobedience they would have acknowledged the justice of the Lords course and recognized the authority of His prophet. God entreated them to repent, that He might spare them humiliation and that a people called by His name should not become tributary to a heathen nation; but they scoffed at His counsel and went after false prophets. {4T 172.1}[25]
§53
于是耶和华吩咐耶利米写信给被掳到巴比伦的官长、祭司、先知，和众民，嘱咐他们不要受迷惑，以为他们得释放的日子近了，而要安静地顺从把他们掳去的人，从事他们的职业，在他们的征服者中间为自己建造平安的家园。耶和华嘱咐他们不要被他们的先知和占卜的诱惑，有虚假的期望；但祂藉耶利米的话向他们保证，七十年的奴役满了之后，他们就会得释放，回到耶路撒冷。他们全心归向祂时，祂就会听他们的祷告，赐恩给他们。“耶和华说：我必被你们寻见，我也必使你们被掳的人归回，将你们从各国中和我所赶你们到的各处招聚了来，又将你们带回我使你们被掳掠离开的地方。这是耶和华说的”（耶29:14）。{4T 172.2}[26]
§54
The Lord then commanded Jeremiah to write letters to the captains, elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been taken as captives to Babylon, bidding them not to be deluded into believing their deliverance nigh, but to quietly submit to their captors, pursue their vocations, and make for themselves peaceful homes among their conquerors. The Lord bade them not to allow their prophets or diviners to deceive them with false expectations; but He assured them by the words of Jeremiah that after seventy years of bondage they should be delivered and return to Jerusalem. He would listen to their prayers and give them His favor when they turned to Him with all their hearts. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. {4T 172.2}[26]
§55
上帝以何等温柔的慈悲向祂被掳的子民说明祂为以色列所定的计划啊！祂知道，如果他们被假先知的预言误导，以为很快会得救脱离奴役，回到耶路撒冷，他们就会经历怎样的苦难和灾祸。祂知道，这种信仰会使他们的处境非常艰难。他们若试图起义或叛变，就必引起王的警惕和严厉镇压，结果他们的自由就会受到限制。祂希望他们安分守己，乐天知命，尽量愉快地度过自己俘虏的生活。{4T 173.1}[27]
§56
With what tender compassion did God inform His captive people in regard to His plans for Israel. He knew what suffering and disaster they would experience were they led to believe that they should speedily be delivered from bondage and brought back to Jerusalem according to the prediction of the false prophets. He knew that this belief would make their position a very difficult one. Any demonstration of insurrection upon their part would have awakened the vigilance and severity of the king, and their liberty would have been restricted in consequence. He desired them to quietly submit to their fate and make their servitude as pleasant as possible. {4T 173.1}[27]
§57
还有两个假先知奉耶和华的名说假预言，他们是亚哈和西底家。这两个人自称是圣洁的教师；他们的生活却是腐败的，且是罪中之乐的奴仆。上帝的先知曾谴责他们的邪恶行为，并把他们的危险警告他们。但他们非但不悔改和改革，反而恼怒忠心地责备了他们罪恶的人，设法煽动民众不信他的话，并采取与上帝劝他们服从巴比伦王的话相背的行动，藉此反对他的工作。耶和华藉耶利米说：这些假先知将要被交在尼布甲尼撒的手中，并当着他的面被杀害。过不久，这预言果然字字应验了。{4T 173.2}[28]
§58
There were two other false prophets, Ahab and Zedekiah, who prophesied lies in the name of the Lord. These men professed to be holy teachers; but their lives were corrupt, and they were slaves to the pleasures of sin. The prophet of God had condemned the evil course of these men and warned them of their danger; but, instead of repenting and reforming, they were angry with the faithful reprover of their sins and sought to thwart his work by stirring up the people to disbelieve his words and act contrary to the counsel of God in the matter of subjecting themselves to the king of Babylon. The Lord testified through Jeremiah that these false prophets should be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon and slain before his eyes, and in good time this prediction was fulfilled. {4T 173.2}[28]
§59
别的假先知也起来，要在百姓中间撒播混乱，使他们不顺从上帝藉耶利米发出的命令，但上帝因他们反叛祂的重罪而宣布了对他们的报应。{4T 173.3}[29]
§60
Other false prophets arose to sow confusion among the people by turning them away from obeying the divine commands given through Jeremiah, but Gods judgments were pronounced against them in consequence of their grievous sin of bringing rebellion against Him. {4T 173.3}[29]
§61
现在，正是这种人起来，在自称顺从上帝律法的人中间造成混乱和叛乱。但上帝的刑罚怎样确实报应在假先知身上，这些邪恶的工人也照样必定得到足量的报应；因为耶和华没有改变。那些预言虚谎的人鼓励人们看罪恶为小事。当他们罪行的可怕结果显明以后，他们就设法把责任推到忠心警告他们的人身上，正如犹太人把自己的厄运归咎于耶利米一样。{4T 173.4}[30]
§62
Just such men arise in these days and breed confusion and rebellion among the people who profess to obey the law of God. But just as certainly as divine judgment was visited upon the false prophets, just so surely will these evil workers receive their full measure of retribution; for the Lord has not changed. Those who prophesy lies encourage men to look upon sin as a small matter. When the terrible results of their crimes are made manifest, they seek, if possible, to make the one who has faithfully warned them responsible for their difficulties, even as the Jews charged Jeremiah with their evil fortunes. {4T 173.4}[30]
§63
那些刻意悖逆耶和华的人，总能找到假先知证明他们的行为是对的，并奉承他们至毁灭。谎言往往能交结许多朋友，就像亚哈和西底家的情况那样。这些假先知装出一付为上帝发热心的样子，博得比传扬上帝单纯信息的真先知更多的信徒和追随者。{4T 174.1}[31]
§64
Those who pursue a course of rebellion against the Lord can always find false prophets who will justify them in their acts and flatter them to their destruction. Lying words often make many friends, as in the case of Ahab and Zedekiah. These false prophets, in their pretended zeal for God, found many more believers and followers than the true prophet, who delivered the simple message of the Lord. {4T 174.1}[31]
§65
【从利甲族得到的教训】
§66
上帝命令耶利米招聚利甲族的人，进入耶和华殿的一间屋子，在他们面前摆上酒，请他们喝。耶利米就照着主所吩咐的作了。但他们却说：“我们不喝酒，因为我们先祖利甲的儿子约拿达曾吩咐我们说，你们与你们的子孙，永不可喝酒”（耶35:6）。{4T 174.2}[32]
§67
【A Lesson from the Rechabites】
§68
God commanded Jeremiah to gather the Rechabites into the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers, and set wine before them and invite them to drink. Jeremiah did as the Lord commanded him. But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons forever. {4T 174.2}[32]
§69
“耶和华的话临到耶利米说：万军之耶和华以色列的上帝如此说：你去对犹大人和耶路撒冷的居民说，耶和华说：你们不受教训，不听从我的话吗？利甲的儿子约拿达所吩咐他子孙不可喝酒的话，他们已经遵守，直到今日也不喝酒，因为他们听从先祖的吩咐”（耶35:12-14）。{4T 174.3}[33]
§70
Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to My words? saith the Lord. The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed, for unto this day they drink none, but obey their fathers commandment. {4T 174.3}[33]
§71
上帝在这里将利甲族人的顺从，和那些不愿听从祂责备和警告话语的百姓的悖逆作了明显的对比。利甲族的人顺从了他们祖先的命令，不肯受引诱违背他的要求。但以色列人却不肯听从耶和华。祂说：“我从早起来警戒你们，你们却不听从我。我从早起来，差遣我的仆人众先知去，说：‘你们各人当回头，离开恶道，改正行为，不随从事奉别神，就必住在我所赐给你们和你们列祖的地上。’只是你们没有听从我，也没有侧耳而听。利甲的儿子约拿达的子孙能遵守先人所吩咐他们的命，这百姓却没有听从我！因此，耶和华万军之上帝、以色列的上帝如此说：我要使我所说的一切灾祸临到犹大人和耶路撒冷的一切居民。因为我对他们说话，他们没有听从；我呼唤他们，他们没有答应”（耶35:14-17）。{4T 174.4}[34]
§72
Here God contrasts the obedience of the Rechabites with the disobedience and rebellion of His people, who will not receive His words of reproof and warning. The Rechabites obeyed the commandment of their father and refused to be enticed into transgression of his requirements. But Israel refused to hearken unto the Lord. He says: I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking, but ye hearkened not unto Me. I have sent also unto you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto Me. Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto Me; therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. {4T 174.4}[34]
§73
“耶利米对利甲族的人说：‘万军之耶和华以色列的上帝如此说：因你们听从你们先祖约拿达的吩咐，谨守他的一切诫命，照他所吩咐你们的去行，所以万军之耶和华以色列的上帝如此说：利甲的儿子约拿达必永不缺人侍立在我面前’”（耶35:18,19）{4T 175.1}。[35]
§74
And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before Me forever. {4T 175.1}[35]
§75
利甲族人因他们的立即甘心顺从备受赞扬，而上帝的子民却拒绝接受自己先知的谴责。因为上帝已对他们讲话，他们却不听从，因为祂已呼唤他们，他们却不答应，所以上帝才宣布了对他们的惩罚。耶利米重述了耶和华称赞忠心的利甲族人的话，并奉祂的名宣告了对他们的祝福。这样，上帝就教导祂的子民知道，忠心顺从祂的要求会给他们带来福气，就如利甲族人因顺从他们祖先的命令而蒙福一样。{4T 175.2}[36]
§76
The Rechabites were commended for their ready and willing obedience, while Gods people refused to be reproved by their prophets. Because He had spoken unto them but they had not heard, because He had called unto them but they had not answered, therefore God pronounced judgment against them. Jeremiah repeated the words of commendation from the Lord to the faithful Rechabites and pronounced blessings upon them in His name. Thus God taught His people that faithfulness, and obedience to His requirements, would be reflected back upon them in blessings, as the Rechabites were blessed for their obedience to their fathers command. {4T 175.2}[36]
§77
如果一个良善聪明的祖先为保守子孙不受放纵的祸害而采取最贤明最有效的方法，他的指示尚且值得子孙严格服从，那么，上帝既比人更为圣洁，祂的权威就应受我们更大的尊重了。我们的创造主和大元帅权能无限，刑罚可畏。祂要用各样的方法使世人看出并悔改他们的罪。他们若继续漠视祂发给他们的责备，行事与祂宣示的旨意相反，毁灭就必接踵而至；因为上帝的子民惟有靠祂的恩典，藉着祂天上使者的看顾，才能长保兴盛。祂决不扶持或保卫一班拒绝祂劝告并轻视祂责备的子民。{4T 175.3}[37]
§78
If the directions of a good and wise father, who took the best and most effectual means to secure his posterity against the evil of intemperance, were to be so strictly obeyed, Gods authority should be held in as much greater reverence as He is holier than man. He is our Creator and commander, infinite in power and terrible in judgment. In mercy He employs a variety of means to bring men to see and repent of their sins. If they will continue to disregard the reproofs He sends them, and act contrary to His declared will, ruin must follow; for Gods people are kept in prosperity only by His mercy, through the care of His heavenly messengers. He will not uphold and guard a people who disregard His counsel and despise His reproofs. {4T 175.3}[37]
§79
【上帝的警告被拒绝】
§80
耶利米已经被剥夺了自由，因为他要顺从上帝，把他从上帝口中领受的话传给王和其他在以色列中身居要职的人。以色列人既不愿接受这些责备，也不让他们的行为受质疑。他们对于责备的话和所预言的他们若继续背叛耶和华就必临到他们身上的审判大显恼怒和轻蔑。尽管以色列人不愿听上帝的劝勉的话，却不能使那话的效用减低分毫，上帝也没有停止用祂的不悦和审判责备和警告那些拒不顺从祂要求的人。{4T 176.1}[38]
§81
【The Warnings of God Rejected】
§82
Jeremiah was already deprived of his liberty because he would obey God and give to the king and others occupying responsible positions in Israel the words of warning which he had received from the mouth of God. The Israelites would not accept these reproofs nor allow their course to be questioned. They had manifested great anger and contempt at the words of rebuke and at the judgments which were predicted to come upon them if they continued in rebellion against the Lord. Although Israel would not hear the word of divine counsel, it did not make that word of less effect, neither did God cease to reprove and to threaten with His displeasure and His judgments those who refused to obey His requirements. {4T 176.1}[38]
§83
耶和华指示耶利米说：“你取一书卷，将我对你说攻击以色列和犹大，并各国的一切话，从我对你说话的那日，就是从约西亚的日子起直到今日，都写在其上。或者犹大家听见我想要降与他们的一切灾祸，各人就回头，离开恶道，我好赦免他们的罪孽和罪恶”（耶36:2,3）。{4T 176.2}[39]
§84
The Lord directed Jeremiah, saying: Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. {4T 176.2}[39]
§85
这表明耶和华不愿放弃祂有罪的百姓。免得以色列人因迄今一直忽视祂的督责和警告而将之忘记了，祂便推迟对他们的审判，详尽复述了自约西亚的日子起直到如今他们的悖逆和恼人的罪恶，以及祂因他们的罪过曾宣布的惩罚。这样，他们就又有一次机会看到自己的罪孽和悔改。在此我们看到上帝不喜欢让祂的百姓受苦；而是用一种超过慈父对待任性孩子的关爱对待祂迷途流浪的子民，要他们重新效忠于祂。{4T 176.3}[40]
§86
Here is shown the Lords reluctance to give up His sinning people. And lest Israel had so far neglected His reproofs and warnings as to let them pass from their memory, He delays His judgments upon them and gives them a full rehearsal of their disobedience and aggravating sins from the days of Josiah down to their own time, and of the judgments He had pronounced in consequence of their transgressions. Thus they had another opportunity to see their iniquity and repent. In this we see that God does not delight in afflicting His people; but with a care that surpasses that of a pitying father for a wayward child, He entreats His wandering people to return to their own allegiance. {4T 176.3}[40]
§87
先知耶利米遵着上帝的命令，把耶和华赐给他的话口授给他的文士巴录，巴录便将它们写在书卷上。见耶36:4。这信息责备了以色列人的许多罪恶，警告他们的罪恶行径必有的结果。写好以后，被囚的耶利米打发他的文士去把书卷读给“禁食的日子在耶和华殿里”的众民。先知说：“或者他们在耶和华面前恳求各人回头，离开恶道，因为耶和华向这百姓所说要发的怒气和忿怒是大的”（耶36:6,7）。{4T 177.1}[41]
§88
The prophet Jeremiah, in obedience to the commands of God, dictated the words that the Lord gave him to Baruch, his scribe, who wrote them upon a roll. See Jeremiah 36:4. This message was a reproof of the many sins of Israel and a warning of the consequences that would follow a continuance of their evil course. It was an earnest appeal for them to renounce their sins. After it was written, Jeremiah, who was a prisoner, sent his scribe to read the roll to all the people who had assembled in the Lords house upon the fasting day. Said the prophet: It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return everyone from his evil way; for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people. {4T 177.1}[41]
§89
文士听从了先知，在犹大众民面前读了那书卷。但不止如此；他还被召去读给众首领听。他们怀着极大的兴趣听着，脸上现出惊惧之色，询问巴录关于这神秘著作的事。他们答应把所听到的关于王和他百姓的一切话都告诉王，但却劝文士藏起来，因为他们担心王会拒绝上帝藉耶利米所作的见证，谋杀先知和他的文士。{4T 177.2}[42]
§90
The scribe obeyed the prophet, and the roll was read before all the people of Judah. But this was not all; he was summoned to read it before the princes. They listened with great interest, and fear was stamped upon their faces as they questioned Baruch concerning the mysterious writing. They promised to tell the king all they had heard in regard to him and his people, but counseled the scribe to hide himself, as they feared that the king would reject the testimony God had given through Jeremiah, and seek to slay not only the prophet, but his scribe. {4T 177.2}[42]
§91
当首领们告诉王巴录所读的内容时，他立即命令把那书卷带来读给他听。但他非但不留意其中的警告，因即将临到他和他百姓头上的危险而战兢，反而冲冲大怒，把书卷丢进火中，尽管他的一些亲信请求他不要烧了那书卷。这恶王的忿怒既向耶利米和他的文士发出，就立即派人去捉拿他们；“耶和华却将他们隐藏”（耶36:26）。王烧了那神圣的书卷以后，耶和华的话临到耶利米说：“你再取一卷，将犹大王约雅敬所烧第一卷上的一切话写在其上。论到犹大王约雅敬你要说，耶和华如此说：你烧了书卷，说：‘你为什么在其上写着说，巴比伦王必要来毁灭这地，使这地上绝了人民牲畜呢’”（耶36:27-29）？{4T 177.3}[43]
§92
When the king was told by the princes of what Baruch had read, he immediately ordered the roll brought and read to him. But instead of heeding its warnings and trembling at the danger that hung over himself and his people, in a frenzy of rage he flung it into the fire, notwithstanding certain ones who were high in his confidence had begged him not to burn it. When the wrath of this wicked monarch rose against Jeremiah and his scribe, and he forthwith sent for them to be taken; but the Lord hid them. After the king had burned the sacred roll, the word of God came to Jeremiah, saying: Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned. And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? {4T 177.3}[43]
§93
慈悲仁厚的上帝曾为百姓的益处警告他们。慈怜的创造主说：“或者犹大家听见我想要降与他们的一切灾祸，各人就回头，离开恶道，我好赦免他们的罪孽和罪恶”（耶36:3）。上帝可怜人的盲目和刚愎；祂以督责和警告光照他们黑暗的悟性，原是要使最尊贵的人觉悟自己的无知，悔恨自己的错误。祂要使自得自满的人对自己的成就感到不满，藉着更密切的与上天联络寻求更大的福气。{4T 178.1}[44]
§94
A merciful God had graciously warned the people for their good. It may be, said the compassionate Creator, that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them, that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. God pities the blindness and perversity of man; He sends light to their darkened understanding in reproofs and threatenings which are designed to make the most exalted feel their ignorance and deplore their errors. He would cause the self-complacent to feel dissatisfied with their attainments and seek greater blessings by closer connection with heaven. {4T 178.1}[44]
§95
上帝的计划并不是要差遣使者来讨好并谄媚罪人；祂也不传什么平安的信息来安抚不圣洁的人，让他们逍遥于属肉体的安全感之中。反之，祂把重担压在行恶之人的良心上，用感悟的利箭刺透他们的心灵。服役的天使将上帝的可怕刑罚摆在他们面前，加深他们需要帮助的感觉，并发出痛苦的呼喊说：“我当怎样行才可以得救”（徒16:30）？但那谴责罪恶，使人降到灰尘之中，并使骄傲和野心蒙羞的圣手，也就是那提拔忧伤痛悔之人的圣手。祂以最深切的同情问道：“你要我为你作什么”（可10:51）？{4T 178.2}[45]
§96
Gods plan is not to send messengers who will please and flatter sinners; He delivers no messages of peace to lull the unsanctified into carnal security. But He lays heavy burdens upon the conscience of the wrongdoer, and pierces his soul with sharp arrows of conviction. The ministering angels present to him the fearful judgments of God, to deepen the sense of his great need and prompt the agonizing cry: What shall I do to be saved? The very hand that humbles to the dust, rebukes sin, puts pride and ambition to shame, lifts up the penitent, stricken one, and inquires with deepest sympathy: What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? {4T 178.2}[45]
§97
当人类得罪圣洁慈悲的上帝时，他最高尚的途径莫如真诚地悔改，痛哭流泪地承认他的过错。这就是上帝向他所要的。惟有痛悔的心和忧伤的灵，才能蒙祂所悦纳。可惜约雅敬王和他的臣仆因骄矜傲慢而拒绝了上帝的邀请。他们不肯听从警告的话，也不肯悔改。这个仁惠的机会是他们最后的机会。上帝已经声明：如果他们不肯听从祂的话，祂就必降可怕的报应在他们身上。他们果然不肯听从，所以上帝向以色列宣布了最后的刑罚；而且祂必以特别的忿怒刑罚那傲慢地轻侮全能之上帝的人。{4T 178.3}[46]
§98
When man has sinned against a holy and merciful God, he can pursue no course so noble as to sincerely repent and confess his errors in tears and bitterness of soul. This God requires of him; He will accept of nothing less than a broken heart and a contrite spirit. But the king and his lords, in their arrogance and pride, refused the invitation of God to return; they would not heed this warning and repent. This gracious opportunity was their last. God had declared that if they refused to hear His voice, He would inflict upon them fearful retribution. They did refuse to hear, and He pronounced His judgments upon Israel; He visited with special wrath the man who had proudly lifted himself up against the Almighty. {4T 178.3}[46]
§99
“所以耶和华论到犹大王约雅敬说：他后裔中必没有人坐在大卫的宝座上；他的尸首必被抛弃，白日受炎热，黑夜受寒霜。我必因他和他后裔，并他臣仆的罪孽刑罚他们。我要使我所说的一切灾祸降到他们和耶路撒冷的居民，并犹大人；只是他们不听”（耶36:30-31）。{4T 179.1}[47]
§100
Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not. {4T 179.1}[47]
§101
焚烧书卷并不足以解决问题。写成的书卷固然很容易地烧掉了，但其中责备和警告的话，以及上帝所宣布降于悖逆之以色列的速来的刑罚却没那么容易消除。就连书卷也要按耶和华的命令重新再写呢！无穷之主的话是不可消灭的。“于是，耶利米又取一书卷交给尼利亚的儿子文士巴录，他就从耶利米的口中写了犹大王约雅敬所烧前卷上的一切话，另外又添了许多相仿的话”（耶36:32）。{4T 179.2}[48]
§102
The burning of the roll was not the end of the matter. The written words were more easily disposed of than the reproof and warning which they contained and the swift-coming punishment which God had pronounced against rebellious Israel. But even the written roll was reproduced at the command of the Lord. The words of the Infinite were not to be destroyed. Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words. {4T 179.2}[48]
§103
上帝若不先警告祂的子民悔改，就不使刑罚临到他们。祂利用一切方法使他们回头顺从祂，并不报应他们的罪孽，直到给了他们充足的机会悔改。人的怒气想要藉着剥夺上帝先知的自由拦阻他的工作；但上帝能够穿过狱墙对人讲话，甚至藉着逼迫祂仆人之人所使用要限制他们影响力的方法来增加祂仆人的效用。{4T 179.3}[49]
§104
God does not send judgments upon His people without first warning them to repent. He uses every means to bring them back to obedience and does not visit their iniquity with judgments until He has given them ample opportunity to repent. The wrath of man sought to prevent the labors of the prophet of God by depriving him of his liberty; but God can speak to men through prison walls, and even increase the usefulness of His servants through the very means by which their persecutors seek to limit their influence. {4T 179.3}[49]
§105
而今许多人藐视上帝在证言中发出的忠诚督责。我蒙指示，有些人在这些日子竟走得那么远，把所写给他们的督责和警告的话给烧了，象以色列的恶王所做的一样。但反对并不能阻止上帝所警告之危险的实现。公然反抗主藉着祂所拣选的器皿说的话，只能惹祂发怒，最终给犯罪的人招致确定的毁灭。罪人的心中常常对上帝所拣选用来传达祂督责的工具燃起怒火。历来都是如此，因耶利米顺从主的话而使他受到逼迫和监禁的精神现今依然存在。{4T 180.1}[50]
§106
Many now despise the faithful reproof given of God in testimony. I have been shown that some in these days have even gone so far as to burn the written words of rebuke and warning, as did the wicked king of Israel. But opposition to Gods threatenings will not hinder their execution. To defy the words of the Lord, spoken through His chosen instruments, will only provoke His anger and eventually bring certain ruin upon the offender. Indignation often kindles in the heart of the sinner against the agent whom God chooses to deliver His reproofs. It has ever been thus, and the same spirit exists today that persecuted and imprisoned Jeremiah for obeying the word of the Lord. {4T 180.1}[50]
§107
人们虽不愿注意再三的警告，却喜欢奉承他们的虚荣加增他们罪孽的假教师，但这些假教师在艰难的日子不能帮助他们。上帝的仆人要勇敢耐心地对付临到他们身上的任何考验和苦难，因为他们忠心地履行上帝所赐给他们的职责，就会受到责骂、忽视或歪曲。他们应该记念古时的众先知和世界的救主也为这道的缘故忍受过辱骂和逼迫。他们应该料到会遇到焚烧按上帝的指示所写书卷表现出来的这种反对的精神。{4T 180.2}[51]
§108
While men will not heed repeated warnings, they are pleased with false teachers who flatter their vanity and strengthen their iniquity, but who will fail to help them in the day of trouble. Gods chosen servants should meet with courage and patience whatever trials and sufferings befall them through reproach, neglect, or misrepresentations because they faithfully discharge the duty that God has given them to do. They should remember that the prophets of old and the Saviour of the world also endured abuse and persecution for the words sake. They must expect to meet just such opposition as was manifested by the burning of the roll that was written by the dictation of God. {4T 180.2}[51]
§109
主正在为天国准备一班子民。品格的缺陷，顽梗的意志，自私的偶像崇拜，喜爱挑剔，仇恨和争论，都惹动上帝的忿怒，必须从祂守诫命的子民中除掉。那些在这些罪恶中生活的人，是受了撒但诡计的欺骗和蒙蔽。他们以为自己是在光中，其实是在暗中摸索。如今在我们中间有怨言，正如在古以色列人中间有怨言一样。那些用不明智的同情鼓励人反叛，其实他们专爱自己的心在下面隐隐作痛应受责备的人，不是那伟大的督责者上帝的朋友。只要上帝的子民继续留在地上，祂就会向他们发出督责和警告。{4T 180.3}[52]
§110
The Lord is fitting a people for heaven. The defects of character, the stubborn will, the selfish idolatry, the indulgence of faultfinding, hatred, and contention, provoke the wrath of God and must be put away from His commandment-keeping people. Those living in these sins are deceived and blinded by the wiles of Satan. They think that they are in the light when they are groping in darkness. There are murmurers among us now, even as there were murmurers among ancient Israel. Those who by unwise sympathy encourage men in rebellion when their self-love is smarting beneath merited reproof are not the friends of God, the great Reprover. God will send reproof and warning to His people as long as they continue upon earth. {4T 180.3}[52]
§111
那些英勇地采取立场支持正义，鼓励人服从上帝显明的旨意，勉励别人努力放弃错行的人，是耶和华真正的朋友，祂正本着爱心设法纠正祂子民的错误，以便祂洗净他们，洁净他们脱离一切污秽，使他们适合祂圣洁的国度。{4T 181.1}[53]
§112
Those who valiantly take their position on the right side, who encourage submission to Gods revealed will and strengthen others in their efforts to put away their wrong-doings, are the true friends of the Lord, who in love is trying to correct the errors of His people, that He may wash them and, cleansing them from every defilement, fit them for His holy kingdom. {4T 181.1}[53]
§113
西底家接续约雅敬在耶路撒冷作王。但新王和他的朝廷，并国中的百姓，都不听从耶和华藉耶利米所说的话。迦勒底人开始围困耶路撒冷，但暂时转移兵力去对付埃及了。西底家打发使者去见耶利米，求他为他们祷告以色列的上帝；但先知可怕的回复是迦勒底的军队会回来并且毁灭那城。这样，主就向他们显明，人要避开上帝的审判是多么不可能的事。“耶和华如此说：你们不要自欺说‘迦勒底人必定离开我们’，因为他们必不离开。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）。{4T 181.2}[54]
§114
Zedekiah succeeded Jehoiakim in reigning at Jerusalem. But neither the new king nor his court nor the people of the land hearkened to the words of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah. The Chaldeans commenced the siege against Jerusalem, but were diverted for a time to turn their arms against the Egyptians. Zedekiah sent a messenger to Jeremiah, asking him to pray to the God of Israel in their behalf; but the prophets fearful answer was that the Chaldean army would return and destroy the city. Thus the Lord showed them how impossible it is for man to avert divine judgment. Thus saith the Lord; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us; for they 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. {4T 181.2}[54]
§115
耶利米认为自己的工作已经完成，便设法离去，但被一个假先知的儿子拦阻了。这个人去告发说，耶利米要去投降敌人。耶利米否认了这个诬告，但他还是被带了回来。首领们情愿相信假先知儿子的话，因为他们恨耶利米。他们似乎以为是耶利米带来了所预言的灾难。他们“恼怒耶利米，就打了他，将他囚在……监牢”（耶37:15）。{4T 181.3}[55]
§116
Jeremiah considered his work done and attempted to leave the city; but he was prevented by a son of one of the false prophets, who reported that he was about to join the enemy. Jeremiah denied the lying charge, but nevertheless he was brought back. The princes were ready to believe the son of the false prophet because they hated Jeremiah. They seemed to think that he had brought upon them the calamity which he had predicted. In their wrath they smote him and imprisoned him. {4T 181.3}[55]
§117
他在监牢里呆了多日之后，西底家就把他传来，私下问他说：“从耶和华有什么话临到没有？”耶利米再次警告说国民要被交在巴比伦王手中。{4T 181.4}[56]
§118
After he had remained in the dungeon many days, Zedekiah the king sent for him and asked him secretly if there was any word from the Lord. Jeremiah again repeated his warning that the nation would be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon. {4T 181.4}[56]
§119
“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。于是，西底家王下令，他们就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37:17-21）。{4T 182.1}[57]
§120
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. Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should 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. {4T 182.1}[57]
§121
这个恶王不敢公然表示相信耶利米。他虽然因惧怕而不得不私下求问先知，但他还是太懦弱，不敢冒着首领和民众的反对去顺从先知耶利米所宣布的上帝的旨意。首领们因耶利米坚持预言灾祸而大为忿怒，他们终于去见王，告诉他说只要先知活着，他就不会停止预言灾难。他们坚称耶利米是全国的公敌，因为他的话使百姓的手发软，以致招来不幸，他们想把他处死。{4T 182.2}[58]
§122
The wicked king dared not openly manifest any faith in Jeremiah, but his fear drove him to seek information of him. Yet he was too weak to brave the disapprobation of his nobles and of the people by submitting to the will of God as declared by the prophet. At last men in authority who were enraged because Jeremiah persisted in prophesying evil went to the king and told him that as long as the prophet lived he would not cease to predict calamity. They urged that he was an enemy to the nation and that his words had weakened the hands of the people and brought misfortune upon them, and they wanted him put to death. {4T 182.2}[58]
§123
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，把耶利米交给他们，任他们去处理。他们就拿住先知，把他“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。他们向王提出要求，结果又把他搬到护卫兵的院中。{4T 182.3}[59]
§124
The cowardly king knew these 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. Accordingly the prophet was taken and 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. 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. {4T 182.3}[59]
§125
王又一次私下把耶利米叫来，嘱咐他忠实地说明上帝对耶路撒冷所有的旨意。耶利米对西底家说：“我若告诉你，你岂不定要杀我吗？我若劝戒你，你必不听从我。”西底家王就私下向耶利米说：“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）。于是耶利米再将耶和华的警告传给王听，他说：“耶和华万军之上帝、以色列的上帝如此说：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。西底家王对耶利米说：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。”但耶利米说：“迦勒底人必不将你交出。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）。{4T 182.4}[60]
§126
Once more the king sent privately for Jeremiah and bade him faithfully relate the purpose of God toward Jerusalem. Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, 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? So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life. Then Jeremiah again sounded the Lords note of warning in the ears of the king. Said he: Thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylons princes, 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. And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me. But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. 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. {4T 182.4}[60]
§127
这里展现了上帝恒久忍耐的怜悯。甚至在那么晚的时候，王若顺从祂的要求，百姓的性命还可得保全，全城也不至被火焚烧。但王总想自己已经不能挽回大局了。他怕犹大人，怕人戏弄他，怕丧失性命。他既然多年背叛了上帝，就认为自己若在那么晚的时候向百姓说：“我接受耶和华藉祂的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。{4T 183.1}[61]
§128
Here was exhibited the long-suffering mercy of God. Even at that late hour, if there were submission to His requirements, the lives of the people would be spared and the city saved from conflagration. But the king thought he had gone too far to retract. He was afraid of the Jews, afraid of becoming a subject of ridicule, afraid for his life. It was too humiliating, at that late day, to say to the people: I accept the word of the Lord as spoken through His prophet Jeremiah. I dare not venture to war against the enemy in the face of all these warnings. {4T 183.1}[61]
§129
耶利米含着眼泪恳劝西底家拯救他自己和自己的百姓。他以痛苦的心灵向他声明：他不能保全性命，他一切所有的都必落在巴比伦人的手中。他若愿意就能保全那城。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。这些顾问原是他所轻视的，而他们也常讥诮他品格的懦弱，因他如此轻易地屈从他们的要求。他竟牺牲了自己作大丈夫的自由主见，成了公众意见所支配的奴隶。他并没有决心作恶，但也没有毅力来坚持正义。他虽然看出耶利米所说的是真理，但他没有道义的魄力去顺从，反而一直朝着错误的方向走去。{4T 183.2}[62]
§130
With tears Jeremiah entreated the king to save himself and his people. With anguish of spirit he assured him that he could not escape with his life, and that all his possessions would fall to the king of Babylon. He could save the city if he would. But he had started upon the wrong track and would not retrace his steps. He decided to follow the counsel of false prophets and of men whom he really despised and who ridiculed his weakness of character in yielding so readily to their wishes. He yielded the noble freedom of his manhood to become a cringing slave to public opinion. While he had no fixed purpose of evil, he also had no resolution to stand boldly for the right. While he was convicted of the truth as spoken by Jeremiah, he did not possess the moral stamina to obey his counsel, but advanced steadily in the wrong direction. {4T 183.2}[62]
§131
王是那么懦弱，甚至不愿意他的朝臣和百姓知道他曾与先知谈过话。可见惧怕人的心理已全然控制了他。如果这个胆怯的王能勇敢地站在百姓面前，声明他相信先知所讲且已应验一半的话，他就能避免何等的灾祸啊！他应当说：我决定顺从耶和华，并救这个城邑免于完全的毁灭。我不敢因畏惧或讨好人而不顾上帝的命令。我热爱真理，恨恶罪恶，所以我要顺从以色列大能者的训示。这样，百姓就必尊重他勇敢的精神，而那些经常徘徊于信与不信之间的人也能坚持正义了。这种勇敢与正义的精神，自必博得国民的钦佩和效忠。他就会得到足够的支持，结果犹大就必能免于杀戮、饥荒与大火的可怕灾祸了。{4T 184.1}[63]
§132
He was even too weak to be willing that his courtiers and people should know that he had held a conference with the prophet, so far had the fear of man taken possession of his soul. If this cowardly ruler had stood bravely before his people 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 for the fear or favor of men. I love the truth, I hate sin, and I will follow the counsel of the Mighty One of Israel. 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 Israel would have been spared the untold woe of fire and carnage and famine. {4T 184.1}[63]
§133
但西底家的懦弱乃是最严重的罪恶，因此他也付出了沉重的代价。敌人所向披靡，长驱直入，蹂躏全城。希伯来的军队溃乱败退。全国被敌人征服了。西底家被擒拿，他的众子当着他的面被杀。他被掳走，远离耶路撒冷，耳中听到他可怜百姓的尖叫声和吞灭他们家园的熊熊火焰的轰鸣声。他被剜掉双眼，并被掳到了巴比伦，在那里悲惨地死去。这就是不信和随从不敬虔的意见所得到的惩罚。{4T 184.2}[64]
§134
But the weakness of Zedekiah was a crime 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. Then he was led away from Jerusalem a captive, hearing the shrieks of his wretched people and the roaring of the flames that were devouring their homes. His eyes were put out, and when he arrived at Babylon he perished miserably. This was the punishment of unbelief and following ungodly counsel. {4T 184.2}[64]
§135
现在有许多假先知，对他们来说罪恶显得不特别可憎。他们抱怨说百姓的平安被上帝使者们的责备和警告不必要地打扰了。至于他们，则用圆滑欺人的教导哄骗罪人的心灵陷入一种致命的安逸中。古时的以色列人就曾这样被腐败祭司们讨人喜欢的信息迷住。他们所预言的兴旺比真先知劝人悔改和顺服的信息更讨人喜悦。{4T 185.1}[65]
§136
There are many false prophets in these days, to whom sin does not appear specially repulsive. They complain that the peace of the people is unnecessarily disturbed by the reproofs and warnings of Gods messengers. As for them, they lull the souls of sinners into a fatal ease by their smooth and deceitful teachings. Ancient Israel was thus charmed by the flattering messages of the corrupt priests. Their prediction of prosperity was more pleasing than the message of the true prophet, who counseled repentance and submission. {4T 185.1}[65]
§137
上帝的仆人应该表现出温柔怜悯的精神，向众人显明他们在对待百姓的事上不是受任何个人动机促动的，他们并不乐于奉主的名发出忿怒的信息。但他们决不畏于指出正在败坏自称上帝子民之人的罪恶，也不停止力争影响他们转离错误，顺从上帝。{4T 185.2}[66]
§138
The servants of God should manifest a tender, compassionate spirit and show to all that they are not actuated by any personal motives in their dealings with the people, and that they do not take delight in giving messages of wrath in the name of the Lord. But they must never flinch from pointing out the sins that are corrupting the professed people of God, nor cease striving to influence them to turn from their errors and obey the Lord. {4T 185.2}[66]
§139
那些想要掩护罪恶，使犯罪的人看罪不是很严重的人，是在做假先知的工作，可以料到上帝报应的忿怒会随着这种行径而来。主决不会使自己的作风迎合败坏之人的心愿。假先知谴责耶利米用严厉的指责使百姓痛苦，试图藉着应许兴盛使百姓安心，以为不应常 使可怜的人们想起自己的罪和用惩罚威胁他们。这种做法鼓励人们反抗真先知的劝勉，增强了他们对他的敌意。{4T 185.3}[67]
§140
Those who seek to cloak sin and make it appear less aggravating to the mind of the offender are doing the work of the false prophets and may expect the retributive wrath of God to follow such a course. The Lord will never accommodate His ways to the wishes of corrupt men. The false prophet condemned Jeremiah for afflicting the people with his severe denunciations, and he sought to reassure them by promising them prosperity, thinking that the poor people should not be continually reminded of their sins and threatened with punishment. This course strengthened the people to resist the true prophets counsel and intensified their enmity toward him. {4T 185.3}[67]
§141
上帝毫不同情行恶的人。祂没有给任何一个人自由去掩盖祂子民的罪恶，说：“平安了，平安了”（耶6:14），其实祂已宣布“恶人必不得平安”（赛48:22）！那些激动人反抗上帝所差传达祂信息的仆人的人，是在反抗耶和华的话。{4T 185.4}[68]
§142
God has no sympathy with the evildoer. He gives no one liberty to gloss over the sins of His people, nor to cry, Peace, peace, when He has declared that there shall be no peace for the wicked. Those who stir up rebellion against the servants whom God sends to deliver His messages are rebelling against the word of the Lord. {4T 185.4}[68]