【雙語園地】永不過期

Written by 楊世禮

 

永不過期

作者：楊世禮    翻譯：以恩

2013 年秋天我和妻子回香港一遊。因為在那裡沒有親人，所以住在巿中心的一間旅館裡。我們對這旅館感到很滿意，因為它的價錢合理，且交通方便。

有一天在出門前喝咖啡時，我忽然注意到旅館供應的咖啡袋上面印有日期，上面註明是 2013 年 6 月 15 日。因為那時已是十月，我想這咖啡原來已經過期幾個月了；但是咖啡過期還不算嚴重，喝了應該不會有問題。我想，大概香港人不像北美的人喝那麼多咖啡吧。

幾天之後，我們正要步出房門時，正好看到幾個負責清潔的員工過來。他們詢問，是否每一件事都合乎我們的期望。我告訴他們，我們很喜歡這間旅館，唯一的不滿，便是咖啡過期了。他們其中一位很有禮貌地回應，會深入調查此事。當我們買東西回來時，我們看到那位員工在樓下等我們。他再一次很有禮貌地向我們指出，旅館供應的咖啡並未過期。我覺得很奇怪，便把其他咖啡袋上的日期指給他看。

他向我解釋：那是製造日期，不是失效期。

我有點尷尬地回應："真的嗎？" 他指出咖啡袋日期旁邊的一行小字：製造日期。

我囁囁嚅嚅地道歉："在加拿大，我們通常只印失效的日期。"

那天晚上我在靈修時，讀到作者形容神那堅定的愛，突然有個領會：神對我們的愛沒有失效期！難怪詩人要一直重覆 "上帝的愛永遠長存！"

我自嘲，若是神的愛有製造日期，那會不會就是我們的生日呢？有一個微小的聲音提醒我，神的愛也沒有製造日期，在我們尚未出生時，神已經認識我們。

著名的神學家沃爾特·布魯格曼這樣說："上帝那堅定的品格向我們保證，我們生活在一個以神的可靠忠誠為基礎的世界裡。"

讚美神，因祂對我們的愛永不過期。

 

 

Double

 

 

NO EXPIRY DATE
Written by C. S. YEUNG

Last fall we went back to Hong Kong for a visit. Since we do not have family there, we stayed at a hotel. It was a four star hotel, centrally located. We were quite pleased with it, considering its cost and conveniences.

One morning when we were having our coffee before heading out, I suddenly noticed the coffee package provided by the hotel had a date printed on it. It says 15 JUN 13 and DDMMYY beside it. Since it was already October, I thought it was outdated by a few months. But for coffee, it should still be fine. My assumption is that people in Hong Kong probably do not drink as much coffee as we do in North America.

A few days later, while we were just getting ready to leave our room, we bumped into some housecleaning staff. They asked us if everything was up to expectation. I told them that we liked the hotel very much. Our only complaint was that the coffee packages in the room were outdated. One of them politely replied that he would look into the matter. When we came back from shopping, we found the same staff member waiting for us in the lobby. Again, politely he pointed out to me that the hotel coffee packages were not outdated. I was confused and showed him the date printed on the packages.

"That is the production date and not the expiry date." He explained.

"Really?" I was now embarrassed. He pointed at a very fine print on the other side of the date that read PRODUCTION DATE.

"I am sorry. In Canada, we usually have the expiry date printed on food products..." I mumbled an apology.

That same evening as I was doing my devotion, I came across this description of God's steadfast love: God's love for us has no expiry date! No wonder, the Psalmist uses the refrain "God's love endures forever" so often.

I jokingly said to myself that God's love has a production date and that is our birthday. Then a still small voice inside reminded me that is no production date either. God knows us long before we were born.

The famous theologian Walter Brueggmann puts it this way: "God's steadfast character is our assurance that we live in a world grounded by God's reliable loyalty".

Praise God that His love for us has no expiry date!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

• 喜樂的心乃是良藥；憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

• 然而，我要因耶和華歡欣，因救我的　神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

• 要常常喜樂，不住的禱告，凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

• 主啊，你本為良善，樂意饒恕人，有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

• 你不要說：“我要以惡報惡”；要等候耶和華，他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

• 你們饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯；馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

• 你們不饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

• 你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄，我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

• 敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨；尊榮以前，必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

• 敬畏耶和華心存謙卑，就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

• 凡事不可結黨，不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀；只要存心謙卑，各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

• 但他賜更多的恩典，所以經上說：神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

• 驕傲來，羞恥也來；謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

• 驕傲只啟爭競；聽勸言的，卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

• 驕傲在敗壞以先；狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

• 但他賜更多的恩典，所以經上說：神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

• 愚妄人怒氣全發；智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

• 並且你們要為我的名，被眾人恨惡，惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

• 不但如此，就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

• 我們行善，不可喪志；若不灰心，到了時候就要收成。加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

• 你們也當忍耐，堅固你們的心，因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

• 回答柔和，使怒消退；言語暴戾，觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

• 溫柔的人有福了，因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

• 用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人；或者　神給他們悔改的心，可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

• 只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾；這在　神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

• 不要為作惡的心懷不平，也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

• 心中安靜是肉體的生命；嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

• 在何處有嫉妒、紛爭，就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

• 當止住怒氣，離棄忿怒；不要心懷不平，以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

• 好生氣的人，不可與他結交；暴怒的人，不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

• 愚妄人怒氣全發；智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

• 生氣卻不要犯罪．不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

• 我親愛的弟兄們，這是你們所知道的，但你們各人要快快的聽，慢慢的說，慢慢的動怒，因為人的怒氣並不成就　神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

• 謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

• 民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒．這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

• 你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

• 主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

• 凡勞苦擔重擔的人，可以到我這裡來，我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

• 我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們．我所賜的、不像世人所賜的．你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

• 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

• 因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

• 義人多有苦難，但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

• 神是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，是我們在患難中隨時的幫助！詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

• 耶和華本為善，在患難的日子為人的保障，並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

• 為義受逼迫的人有福了，因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

• 不但如此，就是在患難中，也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

• 我想現在的苦楚，若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀，就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

• 因為你們蒙恩，不但得以信服基督，並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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