< Joshua 23 >

1 And it came to pass a long time after that YHWH had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old [and] stricken in age. (stricken...: Heb. come into days)
以後上主使以色列同四周敵人平安無事,這樣過弓很長的時間,若蘇厄已年老,上了年紀,
2 And Joshua called for all Israel, [and] for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old [and] stricken in age:
便將全以色列人,他們的長老、首領、判官和官長召來,對他們說:「我已年老,上了年紀
3 And ye have seen all that YHWH your Elohim hath done unto all these nations because of you; for YHWH your Elohim [is] he that hath fought for you.
你們都親眼見了上主你們的天主,為了你們對有的民族所做的一切;因為是上你們的天主在替你們作戰。
4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward. (westward: Heb. at the sunset)
你們看,我己用抽籤方式,將由約旦河起,直到日落之處的大海之間,所消滅和所剩下的各民族的土地,按照你們各支派,都分了你們作產業。
5 And YHWH your Elohim, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as YHWH your Elohim hath promised unto you.
上主你們的天主入將他們由你們面前趕走,使他們離開你們,叫你們承受他們的土地,一如上主你們的天主向你們所應許的。
6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom [to] the right hand or [to] the left;
因此,你們要更忠實謹守奉行梅瑟法律書上所記載的一切,不可偏左偏右,
7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their elohim, nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
不可與你們中間的異族往來,不可提起你們的神名,不可指著他們起誓,不可事奉那些神袛,也不可在你們面前跪拜。
8 But cleave unto YHWH your Elohim, as ye have done unto this day. (But cleave...: or, For if ye will cleave, etc)
反之,你們應依照你們直到到今天所行的,依附上主你們的天主,
9 For YHWH hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. (For YHWH ...: or, Then YHWH will drive)
因為是上主從你們中間趕走了那些強大的異族,直到今天,沒有人能抵抗你們,
10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for YHWH your Elohim, he [it is] that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
你們一人能趕走千人,是因為上主你們的天主,照衪所應許的,親自為你們作戰。
11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love YHWH your Elohim. (yourselves: Heb. your souls)
你們要盡心盡力,愛慕上主你們的天主。
12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
如果你們背棄上主,依戀你們中間所剩餘的異族,同他們結婚,互相往來,
13 Know for a certainty that YHWH your Elohim will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which YHWH your Elohim hath given you.
你們就當知道,上主你們的天主必不從你們面前,趕走這個異族,你們必將成為你們的羅網和陷阱,打你們腰的鞭子,扎你們眼的芒刺,直到從上主你們的天主所賜給你們的這福地上,全被消滅。
14 And, behold, this day I [am] going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which YHWH your Elohim spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.
看我今天就要走世人必走的路,你們要一心一意地承認,上主你們的天主應許所賜給你們的話,沒有一句落空。
15 Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which YHWH your Elohim promised you; so shall YHWH bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which YHWH your Elohim hath given you.
上主你們的天主對你們所應許的一切幸福,怎樣實行在你們身上,直到將你們從上主你們天主所賜與你們的這土地上消滅。
16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of YHWH your Elohim, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other elohim, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of YHWH be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.
如果你們違犯上主你們的天主與你們訂立的盟約,去事奉敬其他的神,上主必向你們大發忿怒,使你們迅速從你們的福地上消滅。

< Joshua 23 >