Esther
Chapter 1

1 1 During the reign of Ahasuerus-this was the Ahasuerus who ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia-

在薛西斯为王时，发生了这样的事：——这薛西斯当时管辖的版图，自印度至雇士，共计一百二十七省——

2 2 while he was occupying the royal throne in the stronghold of Susa,

他在稣撒禁城登极后，

3 in the third year of his reign, he presided over a feast for all his officers and ministers: the Persian and Median aristocracy, the nobles, and the governors of the provinces.

第三年，设宴款待所有的公卿朝臣，波斯与玛待德将官，各省的贤达与总督，

4 For as many as a hundred and eighty days, he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the resplendent wealth of his royal estate.

一连一百八十天，天天夸耀他帝国的豪华富裕，和他赫赫堂皇的荣耀。

5 At the end of this time the king gave a feast of seven days in the garden court of the royal palace for all the people, great and small, who were in the stronghold of Susa.

这些日子过了以后，王又在宫内的御苑里，一连七天欢宴稣撒禁城的全体人民，不分尊卑都来参加。

6 There were white cotton draperies and violet hangings, held by cords of crimson byssus from silver rings on marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were on the pavement, which was of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones.

庭院各处装饰着白色和紫红色的壁毡，系着纯白色和朱红色的彩带，悬在白大理石柱的银环上；在碧玉、白玉、珍珠和宝石铺砌的地面上，陈设了金银的床榻。

7 Liquor was served in a variety of golden cups, and the royal wine flowed freely, as befitted the king's munificence.

进饮的器皿，都是金银制的，大小俱全；御酿丰美，以示王家的富厚。

8 By ordinance of the king the drinking was unstinted, for he had instructed all the stewards of his household to comply with the good pleasure of everyone.

饮酒随意，无须强劝，因为王已命宫内侍役，应随各人所好，善加招待。

9 3 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women inside the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.

同时瓦市提皇后，在薛西斯王的后宫，也摆设盛宴，款待妇女。

10 On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he instructed Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended King Ahasuerus,

至第七日，君王一时酒酣耳热，就命默胡曼、彼次达、哈波纳、彼革达、阿巴革达、则塔尔和加尔加斯，——七个侍从薛西斯王的宦官——

11 to bring Queen Vashti into his presence wearing the royal crown, that he might display her beauty to the populace and the officials, for she was lovely to behold.

去召瓦市提王后，叫她头戴后冠，到君王跟前来，让众百姓与朝臣瞻仰她的美丽，因为她的容貌，娇媚可爱。

12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the royal order issued through the eunuchs. At this the king's wrath flared up, and he burned with fury.

但是瓦市提王后拒绝前来，不肯遵行宦官传来的王命。于是君王勃然大怒，五内如焚，

13 He conferred with the wise men versed in the law, because the king's business was conducted in general consultation with lawyers and jurists.

遂与通达时务的朝臣商议说：——因为当时君王要办一事，必与精通法律民情的朝臣商议；

14 He summoned Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven Persian and Median officials who were in the king's personal service and held first rank in the realm,

那时在王身旁有加尔舍纳、舍塔尔、阿德玛达、塔尔史士、默勒斯、玛色、纳默慕干，七位波斯和玛待的公卿；他们常在君王左右，分居国家的高位——

15 and asked them,＂What is to be done by law with Queen Vashti for disobeying the order of King Ahasuerus issued through the eunuchs?＂

＂按法律应如何处置瓦市提王后呢？因为她没有履行宦官传下的王命。＂

16 In the presence of the king and of the officials, Memucan answered:＂Queen Vashti has not wronged the king alone, but all the officials and the populace throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

默慕干在君王及公卿前建议说：＂瓦市提王后不但得罪了君王，并且还得罪了薛西斯王各省的诸候与人民，

17 For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and they will look with disdain upon their husbands when it is reported,＂King Ahasuerus commanded that Queen Vashti be ushered into his presence, but she would not come.'

因为王后的这种行为，一传到所有的妇女耳中，她们必将效尤，轻视自己的丈夫，而且说薛西斯王命人召瓦市提王后到他跟前，她却没有来；

18 This very day the Persian and Median ladies who hear of the queen's conduct will rebel against all the royal officials, with corresponding disdain and rancor.

今日凡听到王后这种举动的波斯与玛待的公主贵妇，也必说同样的话，对一切王家公卿，也照样大为轻视忿怒。

19 4 If it please the king, let an irrevocable royal decree be issued by him and inscribed among the laws of the Persians and Medes, forbidding Vashti to come into the presence of King Ahasuerus and authorizing the king to give her royal dignity to one more worthy than she.

陛下如果赞成，可下一道上渝，附于波斯与玛待的法典内，成为法律，禁止瓦市提后今后朝见薛西斯王；至于她的后位，王可赐与另一位比她贤淑的国妃。

20 Thus, when the decree which the king will issue is published throughout his realm, vast as it is, all wives will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least.＂

当君王下的这道命令，传遍整个版图广阔的国土时，全国的妇女不拘尊卑对自己的丈夫必表示尊敬。

21 This proposal found acceptance with the king and the officials, and the king acted on the advice of Memucan.

对这建议君王和公卿都表示赞同；王就依照默慕干的建议施行，

22 5 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, to the effect that every man should be lord in his own home.

向全国各省，传递文告，依各省的文字和各民族的语言，敕令天下所有的丈夫应为一家之主，可随意发号施令。

Esther A Next Chapter

Footnotes

1 [1] From India to Ethiopia: from western India to Upper Egypt, the greatest extent of the Persian Empire achieved under Darius the Great, father of Ahasuerus.

2 [2] Susa: ancient capital of Elam (Genesis 14:1); under the Achamenid kings, one of the two capitals of the Persian Empire. The other was Persepolis, the summer palace of the kings.

3 [9] Queen Vashti: Herodotus (Histories 7:61) relates that the wife of Ahasuerus was Amestris.

4 [19] Irrevocable royal decree: the historian Siculus Indicates that such a concept of irrevocable laws existed in the time of Darius III (335-331 B.C.), the last of the Persian kings; cf Esther 8:8.

5 [22] To each province . . . script and to each people . . . language: many languages were spoken in the Persian Empire, the principal ones being Persian, Elamite, Babylonian, Aramaic, Phoenician, Egyptian, and Greek. Each of them had its own script.

Esther
Chapter 2

1 After this, when King Ahasuerus' wrath had cooled, he thought over what Vashti had done and what had been decreed against her.

这些事以后，薛西斯王的盛怒遂平息了，不再回念瓦市提和她所作的事，也不再追究对她所决定的事。

2 Then the king's personal attendants suggested: "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

于是侍奉君王的仆役说：应为大王另选美貌的年轻处女；

3 Let the king appoint commissaries in all the provinces of his realm to bring together all beautiful young virgins to the harem in the stronghold of Susa. Under the care of the royal eunuch Hegai, custodian of the women, let cosmetics be given them.

大王可指派委员到全国各省，把所有美貌的年轻处女，都召集到稣撒禁城的后宫来，由管理嫔妃的王家太监赫革负责照应，供给她们美容润身的香料。

4 Then the girl who pleases the king shall reign in place of Vashti." This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.

那中悦君王的处女，就得代瓦市提为后。”这建议正合了王的心，王就照样进行。

5 There was in the stronghold of Susa a certain Jew named Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite,

在稣撒禁城内，有一个犹太人名叫摩尔德开,是雅依尔的儿子,史米的孙子,本雅明族人克士的曾孙，

6 who had been exiled from Jerusalem with the captives taken with Jeconiah, king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had deported.

克士是巴比伦王拿步高由耶路撒冷将犹大王耶苛尼雅掳去时，被掳的俘虏之一。

7 1 He was foster father to Hadassah, that is, Esther, his cousin; for she had lost both father and mother. The girl was beautifully formed and lovely to behold. On the death of her father and mother, Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter.

摩尔德开抚养了他的堂妹哈达撒又名叫艾斯德尔，她自幼就丧失父母。这女孩身材标致，容貌美丽，自她父母去世后，摩尔德开就收她作自己的女儿。

8 When the king's order and decree had been obeyed and many maidens brought together to the stronghold of Susa under the care of Hegai, Esther also was brought in to the royal palace under the care of Hegai, custodian of the women.

不久皇帝的谕旨和诏令，传遍了全国，许多少女都被召到稣撒禁城，受赫革的监护，艾斯德尔也被带到王宫交与管理嫔妃的赫革看管。

9 The girl pleased him and won his favor. So he promptly furnished her with cosmetics and provisions. Then picking out seven maids for her from the royal palace, he transferred both her and her maids to the best place in the harem.

她很讨赫革喜悦，大得他的宠爱，遂立即供给她美容润身的物品和所需食品，并选派了七个美丽的宫女服侍她，又将她和她的侍女迁移到后宫最好的宫院里。

10 Esther did not reveal her nationality or family, for Mordecai had commanded her not to do so.

但艾斯德尔却没有说出她自己的民族和身世，因为摩尔德开早已吩咐她不要提及此事。

11 Day by day Mordecai would walk about in front of the court of the harem, to learn how Esther was faring and what was to become of her.

此后摩尔德开天天在后宫的庭院前徘徊，好打听艾斯德尔的消息，想知道她的情形如何。

12 Each girl went in turn to visit King Ahasuerus after the twelve months' preparation decreed for the women. Of this period of beautifying treatment, six months were spent with oil of myrrh, and the other six months with perfumes and cosmetics.

在每个处女轮流去见薛西斯王以前，都该先按嫔妃的规则，度过十二个月的“润身期”：六个月应用没药汁，六个月应用香液，以及女人润身的修饰品。

13 Then, when the girl was to visit the king, she was allowed to take with her from the harem to the royal palace whatever she chose.

有了这样的准备，少女才可去见君王；凡她所要求的都应让她由后宫带进王宫去。

14 She would go in the evening and return in the morning to a second harem under the care of the royal eunuch Shaashgaz, custodian of the concubines. She could not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and had her summoned by name.

她晚上进去，次日早晨回到另一座后宫，受君王管理滨妃的太监沙市加次的监护；除非君王宠爱她，提名召她，她不得再亲近君王。

15 As for Esther, daughter of Abihail and adopted daughter of his nephew Mordecai, when her turn came to visit the king, she did not ask for anything but what the royal eunuch Hegai, custodian of the women, suggested. Yet she won the admiration of all who saw her.

一轮到摩尔德开的叔父阿彼海耳的女儿——即摩尔德开的养女——艾斯德尔去见君王的时候，除了管理嫔妃的王家太监赫革给她预备的东西以外，她什么也不要；凡看见艾斯德尔的人，没有不喜爱她的。

16 Esther was led to King Ahasuerus in his palace in the tenth month, Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

艾斯德尔在薛西斯为王第七年十月，“太贝特”月，被召进王宫。

17 The king loved Esther more than all other women, and of all the virgins she won his favor and benevolence. So he placed the royal diadem on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.

王爱艾斯德尔超过所有的嫔妃。在所有的处女中，她最得君王的欢心和喜爱。王便将后冠戴在她头上，立她为王后以代瓦市提。

18 2 Then the king gave a great feast in honor of Esther to all his officials and ministers, granting a holiday to the provinces and bestowing gifts with royal bounty.

于是，王给众文武官员摆设盛宴，又给全国各省颁赐大赦，并按照君王法度敕赠御品。

19 3 [To resume: From the time the virgins had been brought together, and while Mordecai was passing his time at the king's gate,

当二次召集处女时，摩尔德开仍在御门供职。

20 Esther had not revealed her family or nationality, because Mordecai had told her not to; and Esther continued to follow Mordecai's instructions, just as she had when she was being brought up by him.

那时艾斯德尔按着摩尔德开事先给她吩咐了的，还没有透露自己的身世和种族：凡摩尔德开吩咐的，艾斯德尔必尽力遵守，如同昔日受他抚养时一样。

21 4 And during the time that Mordecai spent at the king's gate, Bagathan and Thares, two of the royal eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted in anger to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

摩尔德开在御门供职的时候，王的两个守门太监，彼革堂和特勒士，因一时忿怒，就设计对薛西斯王下毒手。

22 When the plot became known to Mordecai, he told Queen Esther, who in turn informed the king for Mordecai.

但摩尔德开一发觉了那阴谋就告知艾斯德尔王后，艾斯德尔便以摩尔德开的名义转告君王。

23 5 The matter was investigated and verified, and both of them were hanged on a gibbet. This was written in the annals for the king's use.]

那阴谋经过调查证实以后，就将他们二人悬在木架上，处以极刑。此事的原委，当着君王的面，记录在年鉴内。

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Footnotes（注解）

1 [7] Hadassah (the feminine form of hadas, myrtle), was the name by which this woman would be known among her Jewish compatriots. Esther is a variant of the name of the Babylonian goddess lshtar.

2 [18] A holiday: or perhaps, "a remission of taxes."

3 [19-23] This is a resumption, in a slightly different form, of the story already told in Esther A:12-15.

4 [21] Mordecai . . . at the king's gate: to exercise watchful care for Esther. Some understand this to mean that Mordecai was stationed at the gate to render royal service; cf Esther A:2.

5 [23] Hanged on a gibbet: impaled, perhaps, after the Babylonian manner.

Esther
Chapter 3

1 After these events King Ahasuerus raised Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, to high rank, seating him above all his fellow officials.

此后，薛西斯王擢升阿加格人哈默大达的儿子哈曼，使他进级，位居所有同僚公卿之上。

2 1 All the king's servants who were at the royal gate would kneel and bow down to Haman, for that is what the king had ordered in his regard. Mordecai, however, would not kneel and bow down.

君王下命凡在御门供职的臣仆，都应向哈曼俯首下拜，只有摩尔德开不肯向他低头，也不下拜。

3 The king's servants who were at the royal gate said to Mordecai, ＂Why do you disobey the king's order?＂

于是御门供职的臣仆问摩尔德开说：为什么你违犯王命？＂

4 When they had reminded him day after day and he would not listen to them, they informed Haman, to see whether Mordecai's explanation was acceptable, since he had told them that he was a Jew.

他们天天这样问他，他也不听；他们便告诉了哈曼，说摩尔德开背叛王命，想观察摩尔德开的态度是否坚持到底，因为他曾给他们说自己是犹太人。

5 When Haman observed that Mordecai would not kneel and bow down to him, he was filled with anger.

哈曼见摩尔德开不向他低头下拜，就非常忿怒，

6 Moreover, he thought it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Since they had told Haman of Mordecai's nationality, he sought to destroy all the Jews, Mordecai's people, throughout the realm of King Ahasuerus.

心想只杀害摩尔德开一人，还不足泄恨，因为人向他告诉了摩尔德开的身世；于是哈曼打算把薛西斯王整个帝国内的一切犹太人，和摩尔德开一起杀尽灭绝。

7 2 In the first month, Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, the pur, or lot, was cast in Haman's presence to determine the day and the month for the destruction of Mordecai's people on a single day, and the lot fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar.

在薛西斯为王第十二年正月，即＂尼散＂月，有人在哈曼前抽＂普尔＂，就是抽签。为定一个日子和月分，好在那一天灭绝摩尔德开的种族。结果抽出了十二月即＂阿达尔＂月十三日。

8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus: ＂Dispersed among the nations throughout the provinces of your kingdom, there is a certain people living apart, with laws differing from those of every other people. They do not obey the laws of the king, and so it is not proper for the king to tolerate them.

于是哈曼对薛西斯王说：＂在你全国各省内，有一个民族，散居在各民族之间，他们的法律和各民族的都不同，又不遵守王法；容留他们，于君王实在不利。

9 If it please the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them; and I will deliver to the procurators ten thousand silver talents for deposit in the royal treasury.＂

若君王赞同，可谕令把他们灭绝，我愿捐一万＂塔冷通＂银子，交与管理国库的人，归入王库。

10 3 The king took the signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.

于是君王由自己的手上，取下指玺，交与那迫害犹太人的阿加格人哈默大达的儿子哈曼。

11 ＂The silver you may keep,＂ the king said to Haman, ＂but as for this people, do with them whatever you please.＂

接着对哈曼说：＂钱仍还给你，至于这个民族你可任意处置。＂

12 So the royal scribes were summoned; and on the thirteenth day of the first month they wrote, at the dictation of Haman, an order to the royal satraps, the governors of every province, and the officials of every people, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the royal signet ring.

即在正月十三日召集了众御史，根据哈曼的旨意，用各省习用的文字，和各民族的方言，拟定了一道文书，颁发给各省御史大臣，各省省长，各民族族长；文书用薛西斯王的名义措辞，并盖上君王的指玺；

13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the royal provinces, that all the Jews, young and old, including women and children, should be killed, destroyed, wiped out in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, and that their goods should be seized as spoil.

然后由众驿使传递至帝国各省，限令在一天内，即十二月，＂阿达尔＂月十三日把全国所有的犹太人，不论老幼妇孺，一律加以歼灭、屠杀、铲除，财产一律没收。

  

Esther
Chapter 3

1 After these events King Ahasuerus raised Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, to high rank, seating him above all his fellow officials.

此后，薛西斯王擢升阿加格人哈默大达的儿子哈曼，使他进级，位居所有同僚公卿之上。

2 1 All the king's servants who were at the royal gate would kneel and bow down to Haman, for that is what the king had ordered in his regard. Mordecai, however, would not kneel and bow down.

君王下命凡在御门供职的臣仆，都应向哈曼俯首下拜，只有摩尔德开不肯向他低头，也不下拜。

3 The king's servants who were at the royal gate said to Mordecai, ＂Why do you disobey the king's order?＂

于是御门供职的臣仆问摩尔德开说：为什么你违犯王命？＂

4 When they had reminded him day after day and he would not listen to them, they informed Haman, to see whether Mordecai's explanation was acceptable, since he had told them that he was a Jew.

他们天天这样问他，他也不听；他们便告诉了哈曼，说摩尔德开背叛王命，想观察摩尔德开的态度是否坚持到底，因为他曾给他们说自己是犹太人。

5 When Haman observed that Mordecai would not kneel and bow down to him, he was filled with anger.

哈曼见摩尔德开不向他低头下拜，就非常忿怒，

6 Moreover, he thought it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Since they had told Haman of Mordecai's nationality, he sought to destroy all the Jews, Mordecai's people, throughout the realm of King Ahasuerus.

心想只杀害摩尔德开一人，还不足泄恨，因为人向他告诉了摩尔德开的身世；于是哈曼打算把薛西斯王整个帝国内的一切犹太人，和摩尔德开一起杀尽灭绝。

7 2 In the first month, Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, the pur, or lot, was cast in Haman's presence to determine the day and the month for the destruction of Mordecai's people on a single day, and the lot fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar.

在薛西斯为王第十二年正月，即＂尼散＂月，有人在哈曼前抽＂普尔＂，就是抽签。为定一个日子和月分，好在那一天灭绝摩尔德开的种族。结果抽出了十二月即＂阿达尔＂月十三日。

8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus: ＂Dispersed among the nations throughout the provinces of your kingdom, there is a certain people living apart, with laws differing from those of every other people. They do not obey the laws of the king, and so it is not proper for the king to tolerate them.

于是哈曼对薛西斯王说：＂在你全国各省内，有一个民族，散居在各民族之间，他们的法律和各民族的都不同，又不遵守王法；容留他们，于君王实在不利。

9 If it please the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them; and I will deliver to the procurators ten thousand silver talents for deposit in the royal treasury.＂

若君王赞同，可谕令把他们灭绝，我愿捐一万＂塔冷通＂银子，交与管理国库的人，归入王库。

10 3 The king took the signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.

于是君王由自己的手上，取下指玺，交与那迫害犹太人的阿加格人哈默大达的儿子哈曼。

11 ＂The silver you may keep,＂ the king said to Haman, ＂but as for this people, do with them whatever you please.＂

接着对哈曼说：＂钱仍还给你，至于这个民族你可任意处置。＂

12 So the royal scribes were summoned; and on the thirteenth day of the first month they wrote, at the dictation of Haman, an order to the royal satraps, the governors of every province, and the officials of every people, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the royal signet ring.

即在正月十三日召集了众御史，根据哈曼的旨意，用各省习用的文字，和各民族的方言，拟定了一道文书，颁发给各省御史大臣，各省省长，各民族族长；文书用薛西斯王的名义措辞，并盖上君王的指玺；

13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the royal provinces, that all the Jews, young and old, including women and children, should be killed, destroyed, wiped out in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, and that their goods should be seized as spoil.

然后由众驿使传递至帝国各省，限令在一天内，即十二月，＂阿达尔＂月十三日把全国所有的犹太人，不论老幼妇孺，一律加以歼灭、屠杀、铲除，财产一律没收。

Esther Chapter B（补录乙谕文）

1 This is a copy of the letter:
＂The great King Ahasuerus writes to the satraps of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia, and the governors subordinate to them, as follows:

谕文如下：薛西斯大王钦命印度至厄提约丕雅之一百一十七省省长及其属员事：

2 When I came to rule many peoples and to hold sway over the whole world, I determined not to be carried away with the sense of power, but always to deal fairly and with clemency; to provide for my subjects a life of complete tranquillity; and by making my government humane and effective as far as the borders, to restore the peace desired by all men.

自朕辖治各邦，管理全国以来，未尝妄用职权，而常以宽容仁慈，抚育我人民，志在庶民皆享康乐，举国共庆升平，勤苦经营，以图国泰民安，恢复人类久已渴望之和平。

3 When I consulted my counselors as to how this might be accomplished, Haman, who excels among us in wisdom, who is outstanding for constant devotion and steadfast loyalty, and who has gained the second rank in the kingdom,

朕今谘询枢密，何以克遂此愿。而哈曼首相，秉赋忠贞，信智超群，

4 brought it to our attention that, mixed in with all the races throughout the world, there is one people of bad will, which by its laws is opposed to every other people and continually disregards the decrees of kings, so that the unity of empire blamelessly designed by us cannot be established.

上奏朕曰：有一败类，散居天下万邦，风俗律法，与天下异，且不从王法，使朕所颁政令，难奏厥功。

5 ＂Having noted, therefore, that this most singular people is continually at variance with all men, lives by divergent and alien laws, is inimical to our interests, and commits the worst crimes, so that stability of government cannot be obtained,

今朕始悉其端，惟此民族与众殊异，固守已法，生活异趣，对朕天下，实存野心，致力破坏，是以国家不获安宁。

6 1 we hereby decree that all those who are indicated to you in the letters of Haman, who is in charge of the administration and is a second father to us, shall, together with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed by the swords of their enemies, without any pity or mercy, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, of the current year;

因此朕令：凡当今首相——朕之亚父哈曼——在文书内所示之人物，务于本年十二月即“阿达尔”月十四日，偕其妻孥子女，应一律刀斩，歼灭九族，不得留情顾惜。

7 so that when these people, whose present ill will is of long standing, have gone down into the nether world by a violent death on a single day, they may at last leave our affairs stable and undisturbed for the future.＂

务使古今败类，于一日之间，悉葬身九泉，然后国必永安，乱事方息。”

(Esther 3: 8-13[原文无此章节])
3:14 A copy of the decree to be promulgated as law in every province was published to all the peoples, that they might be prepared for that day.

谕文应在各省公布，通知天下人民，准备应付这一天。

3:15 The couriers set out in haste at the king's command; meanwhile, the decree was promulgated in the stronghold of Susa. The king and Haman then sat down to feast, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.

驿使因迫于君令，就迅速出发；在稣撒禁城里立即公布了这道上渝。此时君王与哈曼同席共饮；但是稣撒全城即陷于混乱。



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Footnotes（注解）

1 [6] Fourteenth day: the Hebrew text, as in Esther 2:13 above, and the Greek text here translated do not agree on the day of the month specified by the king; in fact, a two-day celebration is decreed in chapter 9, and the 13th, 14th and 15th of Adar are all mentioned; see Esther 9:15, 18.



New American Bible Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Esther
Chapter 4

1 When Mordecai learned all that was happening, he tore his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes, and walked through the city crying out loudly and bitterly,

摩尔德开一知道所发生的事，就撕裂了自己的衣服，披上苦衣，撒上灰土，走到京城中心，大声哀号，

2 till he came before the royal gate, which no one clothed in sackcloth might enter.

一直走到御门前，因为身披苦衣的，不进准入御门。

3 (Likewise in each of the provinces, wherever the king's legal enactment reached, the Jews went into deep mourning, with fasting, weeping, and lament; they all slept on sackcloth and ashes.)

此时在各省里，凡是谕文与敕令传到的地方，犹太人都哀号、禁食、哭泣、悲痛；许多人且身穿苦衣，躺在灰土中。

4 Queen Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her. Overwhelmed with anguish, she sent garments for Mordecai to put on, so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he refused.

艾斯德尔的宫女和太监跑来报告给她，王后得悉，万分悲伤，立即送衣服去，叫摩尔德开穿上，脱下苦衣；但是他没有接受。

5 Esther then summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs whom he had placed at her service, and commanded him to find out what this action of Mordecai meant and the reason for it.

艾斯德尔就叫王派来侍候她的太监哈塔客来，吩咐他去见摩尔德开，探听一下发生了何事，为何如此。

6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the public square in front of the royal gate,

哈塔客遂走到御门前的广场，去见摩尔德开。

7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened, as well as the exact amount of silver Haman had promised to pay to the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews.

摩尔德开便将所遭遇的事，也将哈曼为消灭犹太人给王库捐献的银钱，都详细告诉了他，

8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction which had been promulgated in Susa, to show and explain to Esther. He was to instruct her to go to the king; she was to plead and intercede with him in behalf of her people.

并且把在稣撒已公布的灭绝犹太人的一分谕文交给他，转呈艾斯德尔披阅，并请她快去恳求君王为自己的民族求情，

B:8 ＂Remember the days of your lowly estate,＂ Mordecai had him say, ＂when you were brought up in my charge; for Haman, who is second to the king, has asked for our death.

且叫他向艾斯德尔说＂请你回忆你孤苦零了的时候，怎样在我手下长大成人。如今一人之下的哈曼已求准要处死我们。

9 Invoke the Lord and speak to the king for us: save us from death.＂ Hathach returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said.

请你呼求上主，并为我们向君王求情，救我们不死！＂ 哈塔客回来，将摩尔德开的话回报给艾斯德尔。

10 Then Esther replied to Hathach and gave him this message for Mordecai:

艾斯德尔吩咐哈塔客去回复摩尔德开说：

11 ＂All the servants of the king and the people of his provinces know that any man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being summoned, suffers the automatic penalty of death, unless the king extends to him the golden scepter, thus sparing his life. Now as for me, I have not been summoned to the king for thirty days.＂

＂王所有的公卿与各省的百姓都知道，任何人不论男女，未奉召见，而擅入内庭往谒君王的，除非君王向他伸出金杖赐他生存，一律应依法处死。况且我已三十天未蒙召亲近君王了。＂

12 When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai,

哈塔客将艾斯德尔的话转告给摩尔德开。

13 he had this reply brought to her: ＂Do not imagine that because you are in the king's palace, you alone of all the Jews will escape.

摩尔德开叫他回复艾斯德尔说：＂不要心想，一个犹太人在王宫里就可保全性命！

14 1 Even if you now remain silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source; but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows but that it was for a time like this that you obtained the royal dignity?＂

决不会。在这生死关头，你若缄默不言，犹太人也必会从别处得到救援和援助。但是，在这光景下，你和你的家族必遭灭亡。谁知你之所以得涉足朝廷，不正是为了挽救现在的危机呢！＂

15 Esther sent back to Mordecai the response:

艾斯德尔令人转告摩尔德开说：

16 ＂Go and assemble all the Jews who are in Susa; fast on my behalf, all of you, not eating or drinking, night or day, for three days. I and my maids will also fast in the same way. Thus prepared, I will go to the king, contrary to the law. If I perish, I perish!＂

＂去召集一切住在稣撒的犹太人，为我禁食，三天三夜不吃不喝。同时，我与我的宫女，也同样禁食；此后，我就越规去见君王，即便我死，死也情愿！

Esther Chapter C补录丙
Mordecai went away and did exactly as Esther had commanded.

于是摩尔德开走了，进行艾斯德尔所吩咐他的一切事。

1 Recalling all that the Lord had done, he prayed to him

摩尔德开想起了上主所作的一切，就向上主哀求说：

2 and said: ＂O Lord God, almighty King, all things are in your power, and there is no one to oppose you in your will to save Israel.

＂上主，上主！全能的君王！万事都属你权下，若你愿意拯救以色列，谁也不能反抗。

3 You made heaven and earth and every wonderful thing under the heavens.

你造了天地，以及天下的千奇万妙之物；

4 You are Lord of all, and there is no one who can resist you, Lord.

你是万有的主宰。上主，谁能抵抗你？

5 You know all things. You know, O Lord, that it was not out of insolence or pride or desire for fame that I acted thus in not bowing down to the proud Haman.

上主！你洞察万事，知道我不叩拜蛮横的哈曼，并不是出于傲慢、自大，或任何贪求虚荣的心；

6 Gladly would I have kissed the soles of his feet for the salvation of Israel.

反而，若为了以色列的安全，需要跪吻他的脚掌，我也在所不辞。

7 But I acted as I did so as not to place the honor of man above that of God. I will not bow down to anyone but you, my Lord. It is not out of pride that I am acting thus.

但是，我这样做，是不愿将人的光荣，置诸天主的光荣以上；并且，我的上主，除了你以外，我决不叩拜任何人。我如此做，不是出于傲慢。

8 And now, Lord God, King, God of Abraham, spare your people, for our enemies plan our ruin and are bent upon destroying the inheritance that was yours from the beginning.

上主，天主，天地的君王，亚巴郎的天主！现今求你怜悯你的民族！因为人决意要消灭我们，要摧残自始就属于你的产业。

9 Do not spurn your portion, which you redeemed for yourself out of Egypt.

求你不要轻视你从埃及为你自己赎出的产业！

10 Hear my prayer; have pity on your inheritance and turn our sorrow into joy: thus we shall live to sing praise to your name, O Lord. Do not silence those who praise you.＂

愿你俯听我的祈求，怜悯你的家业，化哀伤为喜庆，使我们能生存在世界上，歌颂你的圣名。上主！求你不要让那些赞美你的口舌丧亡！＂

11 All Israel, too, cried out with all their strength, for death was staring them in the face.

此时，全以色列都竭力呼救，因为他们已面临死亡。

12 Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, likewise had recourse to the Lord.

艾斯德尔王后，自觉也有死的威胁，于是投奔到上主前；

13 Taking off her splendid garments, she put on garments of distress and mourning. In place of her precious ointments she covered her head with dirt and ashes. She afflicted her body severely; all her festive adornments were put aside, and her hair was wholly disheveled.

脱去华服，穿上悲伤哀悼的衣裳，头上撒上灰尘和粪土，以代替贵重的香膏，严厉刻苦肉身，头发散垂，毫无装饰，

14 Then she prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying: ＂My Lord, our King, you alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,

向上主以色列的天主祈祷说：

“我的上主！只有你是我们的君王，求你援助我这孤苦无靠的人！除你以外，我没有别的救援，

15 for I am taking my life in my hand.

因为危险已迫于眉睫。

16 As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forefat, hers that you, O Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples, and our fathers from among all their ancestors, as a lasting heritage, and that you fulfilled all your promises to them.

我自幼在我父家，就听说是你，上主，从各民族中拣选了以色列；又从各民族的祖先中拣选了我们的祖先，作你永远的产业：凡你所预许的，无不一一给他们实践。

17 But now we have sinned in your sight, and you have delivered us into the hands of our enemies,

但是现今我们犯罪得罪了你，你将我们交在敌人的手中，

18 because we worshiped their gods. You are just, O Lord.

因为我们敬奉了他们的神抵；上主，你如此作，是公义的。

19 But now they are not satisfied with our bitter servitude, but have undertaken

我们倍受奴役惨痛的苦楚，他们尚以为不足，

20 to do away with the decree you have pronounced, and to destroy your heritage; to close the mouths of those who praise you, and to extinguish the glory of your temple and your altar;

如今还向他们的神抵宣誓：要废除你发出的号令，消灭你的家业，杜绝颂扬你的口舌，熄灭你圣殿的光辉，折毁你的祭坛，

21 to open the mouths of the heathen to acclaim their false gods, and to extol an earthly king forever.

放纵异教人的口舌，去称扬虚伪的偶像，永远崇拜一个有血肉的君王。

22 ＂O Lord, do not relinquish your scepter to those that are nought. Let them not gloat over our ruin, but turn their own counsel against them and make an example of our chief enemy.

上主！不要将你的权杖，交与那些根本是虚无的人物；不要使他们嘲笑我们的没落，反使他们的阴谋伤害自己，作为那谋害我们者的鉴戒。

23 Be mindful of us, O Lord. Manifest yourself in the time of our distress and give me courage, King of gods and Ruler of every power.

上主！求你记念我们，在这灾难之时，求你显现！神明的君王，全能的主宰，求增我勇气！

24 Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.

赐我在猛狮前，口能说动听的话；求你转变他的心意，去憎恨我们的仇人，使那人和与他同谋的人，同归于尽。

25 Save us by your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord. ＂You know all things.

惟愿你亲手拯救我们！上主！求你援助我这孤苦无告的人，除你以外，我没有别的依靠。

26 You know that I hate the glory of the pagans, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised or of any foreigner.

你洞悉一切，知我憎恨所有不法者的光荣，厌恶未受割损者和一切异民的床褥；

27 You know that I am under constraint, that I abhor the sign of grandeur which rests on my head when I appear in public; abhor it like a polluted rag, and do not wear it in private.

你知道我是迫不得已，因为我憎恶上朝时戴在我头上的那尊贵的徽号：憎厌它象沾了不洁的亵布；在我独居时，我决不佩戴。

28 1 I, your handmaid, have never eaten at the table of Haman, nor have I graced the banquet of the king or drunk the wine of libations.

况且，你的婢女没有吃过哈曼席上的食物，没有尝过君王的盛宴，也没有饮过奠祭的酒。

29 From the day I was brought here till now, your handmaid has had no joy except in you, O Lord, God of Abraham.

从我被带到这里的那一天起，直到现在，上主，亚巴郎的天主！除你以外，你的婢女没有别的喜乐。

30 O God, more powerful than all, hear the voice of those in despair. Save us from the power of the wicked, and deliver me from my fear.＂

威能超众的天主，求你俯听失望者的呼声，拯救我们脱离恶人的毒手，并救我脱离恐怖！”



Esther Chapter D补录丁

1 On the third day, putting an end to her prayers, she took off her penitential garments and arrayed herself in her royal attire.

第三天，艾斯德尔祈祷完毕，脱去苦衣麻服，穿上艳丽服装，

2 In making her state appearance, after invoking the all-seeing God and savior, she took with her two maids;

刻意装饰打扮，又呼求了鉴临万物，拯救众生的天主，就带了两个婢女：

3 on the one she leaned gently for support,

一个扶着她那弱不禁风的身体；

4 while the other followed her, bearing her train.

另一个尾随于后，扯起她的长裙。

5 She glowed with the perfection of her beauty and her countenance was as joyous as it was lovely, though her heart was shrunk with fear.

她体态轻盈容貌娇艳，令人喜爱；但她此时却心惊胆战。

6 She passed through all the portals till she stood face to face with the king, who was seated on his royal throne, clothed in full robes of state, and covered with gold and precious stones, so that he inspired great awe.

经过几道官门来到君王前；此时君王正高坐龙椅，身着蟒袍玉带，金壁辉煌，使人一见生畏。

7 As he looked up, his features ablaze with the height of majestic anger, the queen staggered, changed color, and leaned weakly against the head of the maid in front of her.

君王抬起头来，见王后前来，龙颜大变，怒目而视；王后登时吓的昏迷，面无人色，倒在随侍她的婢女身上。

8 But God changed the king's anger to gentleness. In great anxiety he sprang from his throne, held her in his arms until she recovered, and comforted her with reassuring words.

但天主忽然转变了君王的心，使他的态度转为和颜悦色，急忙跑下龙椅，双手把她抱住，及至王后苏醒，王便以温和的言语抚慰她说：

9 ＂What is it, Esther?＂ he said to her. ＂I am your brother. Take courage!

艾斯德尔，你有什么事？我是你哥哥，尽管放心好了！

10 You shall not die because of this general decree of ours.

你不至于死，王法只是限于属下。

11 Come near!＂

请上前来！

12 Raising the golden scepter, he touched her neck with it, embraced her, and said, ＂Speak to me.＂

于是拿起金杖，放在她颈上，且吻她说：“向我说罢！”

13 She replied: ＂I saw you, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled with fear of your majesty.



她答说：“我主，我见了你，好象见了天主的使者；一见你的威仪，我就心神慌乱了。

14 For you are awesome, my lord, though your glance is full of kindness.＂

我主，你实令人惊奇，仪容又和蔼可亲。”

15 As she said this, she fainted.

她正在说话时，又晕倒了。

16 The king became troubled and all his attendants tried to revive her.

君王因此十分担心，众臣仆便都设法使她苏醒过来。



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Footnotes（注解）

1 [14] From another source: very probably Mordecai refers to divine aid; the Greek additions (C) are explicit about this.

Esther
Chapter 5

1 1 [Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal garments and stood in the inner courtyard, looking toward the royal palace, while the king was seated on his royal throne in the audience chamber, facing the palace doorway.

第二天，艾斯德尔身穿王后的华服，站在王宫的内院，面向宫殿；那时君王正坐在宫殿的宝座上，面向宫门。

2 He saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, and made her welcome by extending toward her the golden staff which he held. She came up to him, and touched the top of the staff.]

君王一见艾斯德尔王后在庭院内，就对她起了宠幸的心，于是向艾斯德尔伸出手中的金杖，艾斯德尔遂上前来，摸了金杖的顶端。

3 Then the king said to her, ＂What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even if it is half of my kingdom, it shall be granted you.＂

君王问她说：＂艾斯德尔后，你有什么事？你要求什么？即使要求一半江山我也必赐给你！＂

4 ＂If it please your majesty,＂ Esther replied, ＂come today with Haman to a banquet I have prepared.＂

艾斯德尔答说：＂若大王开恩，请大王令日与哈曼同去饮妾为陛下所预备的酒宴。＂

5 And the king ordered, ＂Have Haman make haste to fulfill the wish of Esther.＂ So the king went with Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.

王遂说：＂快叫哈曼来，以满足艾斯德尔的心愿！＂于是王和哈曼一同去赴艾斯德尔预备的酒宴。

6 During the drinking of the wine, the king said to Esther, ＂Whatever you ask for shall be granted, and whatever request you make shall be honored, even if it is for half my kingdom.＂

酒兴之余，王对艾斯德尔说：＂你要求什么，我必给你；不管你求什么，那怕是半壁江山，也必照办。＂

7 Esther replied: ＂This is my petition and request:

艾斯德尔答说：＂这即是我的恳请和要求：

8 if I have found favor with the king and if it pleases your majesty to grant my petition and honor my request, come with Haman tomorrow to a banquet which I shall prepare for you; and then I will do as you ask.＂

如果我见宠于大王，如果大王乐意俯允我的恳请，实践我的要求，就请大王明天与哈曼，再来饮妾所设的酒宴；明天我必依照君王的命答复陛下。＂

9 That day Haman left happy and in good spirits. But when he saw that Mordecai at the royal gate did not rise, and showed no fear of him, he was filled with anger toward him.

那一天，哈曼出去，非常高兴，满心喜乐；但是哈曼一见在御门前的犹太人摩尔德开既不起立，也不退避，就对他满怀愤恨，

10 Haman restrained himself, however, and went home, where he summoned his friends and his wife Zeresh.

却仍忍气回了家，且打发人叫他的朋友和爱妻则勒士，

11 He recounted the greatness of his riches, the large number of his sons, and just how the king had promoted him and placed him above the officials and royal servants.

来向他们夸耀自己如何富贵荣华，子女如何众多，君王如何尊崇他，如何高举他在众公卿和朝臣之上。

12 ＂Moreover,＂ Haman added, ＂Queen Esther invited no one but me to the banquet with the king; again tomorrow I am to be her guest, with the king.

他又说：＂甚至艾斯德尔王后，除我以外，没有请任何人与君王一同赴她设的盛宴；明天又请我再同君王到她那里去。

13 Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I continue to see the Jew Mordecai sitting at the royal gate.＂

但每当我一见坐在御门前的犹太人摩尔德开时，这一切于我都乏味了！

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, ＂Have a gibbet set up, fifty cubits in height, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king in good cheer.＂ This suggestion pleased Haman, and he had the gibbet erected.

他的爱妻则勒士和他的朋友便对他说：该做一个高五十尺的刑架，天一亮就对君王说：把摩尔德开悬在上面！这样你可欣然与君王同赴盛筵了。＂哈曼看这主意不错，就叫人做了一个刑架。



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Footnotes（注解）

1 [1] The Hebrew text here translated is a short form of the account already given in Greek.

Esther
Chapter 6

1 That night the king, unable to sleep, asked that the chronicle of notable events be brought in. While this was being read to him,

那一夜，君王因失眠，便令人取大事录，即年鉴来，在他面前诵读。

2 the passage occurred in which Mordecai reported Bagathan and Teresh, two of the royal eunuchs who guarded the entrance, for seeking to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

书上这样记载：摩尔德开如何告发了君王的两个守门太监彼革堂和特勒士，企图杀害薛西斯王的事。

3 The king asked, ＂What was done to reward and honor Mordecai for this?＂ The king's attendants replied, ＂Nothing was done for him.＂

王问说：摩尔德开这事得到什么尊荣和地位？＂服侍他的仆役答说：＂他什么也没有得到。＂

4 ＂Who is in the court?＂ the king asked. Now Haman had entered the outer court of the king's palace to suggest to the king that Mordecai should be hanged on the gibbet he had raised for him.

正当君王探听摩尔德开的贤德时，恰巧哈曼在庭院里，于是王问说：＂是谁在庭院里？＂原来哈曼正走到了王宫的外庭，要请求君王把摩尔德开悬在他竖起的刑架上。

5 The king's servants answered him, ＂Haman is waiting in the court.＂ ＂Let him come in,＂ the king said.

王的仆役答应说：＂是哈曼站在庭院里。＂王说：＂叫他进来！＂

6 When Haman entered, the king said to him, ＂What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to reward?＂ Now Haman thought to himself, ＂Whom would the king more probably wish to reward than me?＂

哈曼进来，王对他说：＂假如君王要显耀一个人，应该怎样对待他？＂哈曼心想：除我以外，君王还能显耀谁呢？

7 So he replied to the king: ＂For the man whom the king wishes to reward

于是哈曼对君王说：＂大王对愿显耀的人，

8 there should be brought the royal robe which the king wore and the horse on which the king rode when the royal crown was placed on his head.

应拿出大王穿的龙袍和大王骑的头戴＂卸马冠＂的骏马；

9 The robe and the horse should be consigned to one of the noblest of the king's officials, who must clothe the man the king wishes to reward, have him ride on the horse in the public square of the city, and cry out before him, ＂This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to reward!' ＂

将龙袍和骏马交给大王的一个大臣，叫他给大王所要显耀的人穿上，领他骑着御马在城中的广场上游行，在他前面喊道：看，凡皇上愿意显耀的人就要这样对待他。＂

10 Then the king said to Haman: ＂Hurry! Take the robe and horse as you have proposed, and do this for the Jew Mordecai, who is sitting at the royal gate. Do not omit anything you proposed.＂

王对哈曼说：＂赶快拿龙袍和骏马来，就照你所说的，去对待坐在御门旁的那犹太人摩尔德开罢！凡你所说的，一点也不可忽略！＂

11 So Haman took the robe and horse, clothed Mordecai, had him ride in the public square of the city, and cried out before him, ＂This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to reward!＂

哈曼就拿了龙袍和骏马来，先给摩尔德开穿上龙袍，然后扶他骑上骏马，领他在市内的广场游行，还走在他前面喊道：＂凡皇上愿意显耀的人，就要这样对待他。＂

12 Mordecai then returned to the royal gate, while Haman hurried home, his head covered in grief.

事后，摩尔德开回到御门，哈曼却赶快回了家，蒙头饮泣。

13 When he told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, ＂If Mordecai, before whom you are beginning to decline, is of the Jewish race, you will not prevail against him, but will surely be defeated by him.＂

哈曼将所遭遇的，都给他的爱妻则勒士和朋友述说了。他的谋士和爱妻则勒士对他说：在摩尔德开前，你既开始失败，如果他真是犹太人，你决不能得胜他，终必败于他前。

14 While they were speaking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman off to the banquet Esther had prepared.

他们正同他谈论时，王的太监来催哈曼去赴艾斯德尔设的盛宴。

Esther
Chapter 7

1 So the king and Haman went to the banquet with Queen Esther.

君王和哈曼同来与艾斯德尔王后宴饮。

2 Again, on this second day, during the drinking of the wine, the king said to Esther, ＂Whatever you ask, Queen Esther, shall be granted you. Whatever request you make shall be honored, even for half the kingdom.＂

在这第二天的宴席之间，王又对艾斯德尔说：＂艾斯德尔后！你要求什么，我必给；你不论你要求什么即便是半壁江山，也必照办。＂

3 Queen Esther replied: ＂If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, I ask that my life be spared, and I beg that you spare the lives of my people.

艾斯德尔后答说：＂大王！如果我获得你垂青宠爱，如果大王欢喜，请饶我一命，这是我的恳请；也饶我民族一命，这是我的要求，

4 For my people and I have been delivered to destruction, slaughter, and extinction. If we were to be sold into slavery I would remain silent, but as it is, the enemy will be unable to compensate for the harm done to the king.＂

因为我和我的民族已被人出卖，快要遭受蹂躏、屠杀、毁灭。若是我们只被人卖为奴婢，那么我必不开口；但这仇人毫不顾及君王所受的灾害。＂

5 ＂Who and where,＂ said King Ahasuerus to Queen Esther, ＂is the man who has dared to do this?＂

薛西斯王问艾斯德尔后说：＂这人是谁？那心内打算作这事的人在那里？＂

6 Esther replied, ＂The enemy oppressing us is this wicked Haman.＂ At this, Haman was seized with dread of the king and queen.

艾斯德尔答说：＂这仇人和死敌，就是这败类哈曼。＂哈曼立时在君王及王后前，惊惶万分。

7 The king left the banquet in anger and went into the garden of the palace, but Haman stayed to beg Queen Esther for his life, since he saw that the king had decided on his doom.

于是君王勃然大怒，即刻退席，走进了御苑，哈曼遂起来恳求艾斯德尔后饶他一命，因为他看出了君王已决意要将他置于死地。

8 When the king returned from the garden of the palace to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the couch on which Esther was reclining; and the king exclaimed, ＂Will he also violate the queen while she is with me in my own house!＂ Scarcely had the king spoken when the face of Haman was covered over.

王由御苑回到餐厅，哈曼正俯伏在艾斯德尔所躺坐的榻上，王厉声叱咤说：＂在王宫内，当着我的面，居然胆敢存心侮辱王后！＂王的话一出口，仆人就蒙起哈曼的脸。

9 Harbona, one of the eunuchs who attended the king, said, ＂At the house of Haman stands a gibbet fifty cubits high. Haman prepared it for Mordecai, who gave the report that benefited the king.＂ The king answered, ＂Hang him on it.＂

君王座前的一个太监哈波纳说：＂正巧，在哈曼家里，有他给那位曾一言造福大王的摩尔德开，竖立的一个五十尺高的刑架。＂王说：＂将他悬在上面！＂

10 So they hanged Haman on the gibbet which he had made ready for Mordecai, and the anger of the king abated.

人们遂把哈曼悬在他自己为摩尔德开所做的刑架上；王的忿怒这才平息。

Esther
Chapter 8

1 That day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther; and Mordecai was admitted to the king's presence, for Esther had revealed his relationship to her.

薛西斯王当日就将犹太人的敌人哈曼的家业，赐给了艾斯德尔王后；艾斯德尔同时也说明了摩尔德开与她自己的关系，摩尔德开就来觐见君王。

2 The king removed his signet ring from Haman, and transferred it into the keeping of Mordecai; and Esther put Mordecai in charge of the house of Haman.

君王于是取下由哈曼那里拿回来的指玺，给了摩尔德开，艾斯德尔以后叫摩尔德开管理哈曼的家业。

3 In another audience with the king, Esther fell at his feet and tearfully implored him to revoke the harm done by Haman the Agagite, and the plan he had devised against the Jews.

艾斯德尔又去向君王求情，俯伏在他足下，含泪哀求他取消阿加格人哈曼所加的祸害，和他为害犹太人所设立的阴谋。

4 The king stretched forth the golden scepter to Esther. So she rose and, standing in his presence,

王向艾斯德尔伸出金杖，艾斯德尔就起来，站在君王前，

5 said:＂If it pleases your majesty and seems proper to you, and if I have found favor with you and you love me, let a document be issued to revoke the letters which that schemer Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, wrote for the destruction of the Jews in all the royal provinces.

说：＂如果大王喜欢，如果我得陛下宠宰，如果大王认为合理且喜爱我，就请写一道逾令，把大王为消灭全国各省的犹太人所颁下的文书，即阿加格人哈默大达的儿子哈曼的阴谋废除。

6 For how can I witness the evil that is to befall my people, and how can I behold the destruction of my race?＂

事实上，我怎能忍见我的民族遭受迫害？我怎能忍见我的亲属消灭？＂

7 King Ahasuerus then said to Queen Esther and to the Jew Mordecai:＂Now that I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gibbet because he attacked the Jews,

薛西斯王对艾斯德尔后和犹太人摩尔德开说：＂我已将哈曼的家业赐给了艾斯德尔，而他本人已被悬在刑架上，因为他竟要对犹太人下毒手。

8 1 you in turn may write in the king's name what you see fit concerning the Jews and seal the letter with the royal signet ring.＂ For whatever is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.

如今就照你们的意思，以君王的名义，为保护犹太人写一道文书，盖上君王的玉印。凡以君王名义所写，且盖有君王玉印的文书决不得废除。＂

9 At that time, on the twenty-third day of the third month, Sivan, the royal scribes were summoned. Exactly as Mordecai dictated, they wrote to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and officials of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia: to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.

就在那时候，即在三月——＂息汪＂月二十三日，召集了众御史，要依照摩尔德开为保护犹太人提示的一切，用各省的文字，各民族的语言，也给犹太人以他们的文字语言，写了一道文书，公告由印度至雇士一百二十七省的犹太人、御史大臣、各省省长及首长。

10 These letters, which he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the royal signet ring, he sent by mounted couriers riding thoroughbred royal steeds.

摩尔德开遂以薛西斯王的名义，写了这道文书，盖上君王的玉印，然后派遣驿使，骑着御厩里的骏马，传递文书。

11 In these letters the king authorized the Jews in each and every city to group together and defend their lives, and to kill, destroy, wipe out, along with their wives and children, every armed group of any nation or province which should attack them, and to seize their goods as spoil

文书上载着：君王恩准在各城市的犹太人，有团结自卫的权利，也准许他们破坏、杀害、消灭那些侵害他们的各族和各省的军民，也可杀他们的妇孺，抢夺他们的财产；

12 throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on a single day, the thirteenth of the twelfth month, Adar.

且应在十二月＂阿达尔＂月十三日那一天，在薛西斯帝国各省内开始生效。

13 2 A copy of the letter to be promulgated as law in each and every province was published among all the peoples, so that the Jews might be prepared on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

这道文书应视为法律，公布在各省内，通告各民族一律遵守，好使犹太人准备在这一天，可向自己的敌人复仇。

14 Couriers mounted on royal steeds sped forth in haste at the king's order, and the decree was promulgated in the stronghold of Susa.

驿使迫于君令，骑着御马，火速出发。这渝文同时亦在稣撤禁城公布。

15 Mordecai left the king's presence clothed in a royal robe of violet and of white cotton, with a large crown of gold and a cloak of crimson byssus. The city of Susa shouted with joy,

摩尔德开于是拜别君王出来，身穿紫白相间的御袍，戴着大金冠，披着纯白和朱红色的氅衣。此时稣撒城欢欣雀跃。

16 and there was splendor and merriment for the Jews, exultation and triumph.

犹太人终于得到了光明、喜乐、幸福和荣耀。

17 In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king's order arrived, there was merriment and exultation, banqueting and feasting for the Jews. And many of the peoples of the land embraced Judaism, for they were seized with a fear of the Jews.

在各省各城中，凡是君令、上谕所到之处，犹太人无不欢欣雀跃，休假宴饮；各地的异民有许多人因为害怕犹太人，而加入了犹太籍。



  

Esther Chapter E补录戊
1 The following is a copy of the letter:

谕文如下：
＂King Ahasuerus the Great to the governors of the provinces in the hundred and twenty-seven satrapies from India to Ethiopia, and to those responsible for our interests: Greetings!

＂薛西斯大王致候由印度至厄提约丕雅一百二十七省省长，并忠于朕之官员：

2 ＂Many have become the more ambitious the more they were showered with honors through the bountiful generosity of their patrons.

查有多人，恩主愈加之高官厚禄，其人反而愈妄自尊大，

3 Not only do they seek to do harm to our subjects; incapable of bearing such greatness, they even begin plotting against their own benefactors.

不仅企图危害朕之所属为满足，进而图谋推倒其恩主。

4 Not only do they drive out gratitude from among men; with the arrogant boastfulness of those to whom goodness has no meaning, they suppose they will escape the vindictive judgment of the all-seeing God.

彼等不惟将知恩报爱之义由人间抹杀， 且更与无知之辈，骄矜自大，对常鉴临万物，嫉恶如仇至公义之天主，自以为可以逃避。

5 ＂Often, too, the fair speech of friends entrusted with the administration of affairs has induced many placed in authority to become accomplices in the shedding of innocent blood, and has involved them in irreparable calamities

彼等多居显位，屡受公卿友朋妄言之煽惑，而共谋倾流无辜者之血，因而陷于不可挽救之祸殃：

6 by deceiving with malicious slander the sincere good will of rulers.

彼等利用乖戾欺诈之计谋，迷惑忠贞纯良之公卿。

7 This can be verified in the ancient stories that have been handed down to us, but more fully when one considers the wicked deeds perpetrated in your midst by the pestilential influence of those undeserving of authority.

此处无须引证留传于我侪其之古籍，尔辈考察此辈恶劣掌权者所做败德恶行，即可知晓。

8 We must provide for the future, so as to render the kingdom undisturbed and peaceful for all men,

是以为防息于未然，使帝国兔于祸乱，人人得享安乐，

9 taking advantage of changing conditions and deciding always with equitable treatment matters coming to our attention.

朕不复妄听谗言，务以正义裁判，处断呈递于朕之案件。

10 1 ＂For instance, Haman, son of Hammedatha, a Macedonian, certainly not of Persian blood, and very different from us in generosity, was hospitably received by us.

今哈默大达之子，马其顿人哈曼，实非波斯血统，本不堪朕之宽仁，然朕仍收为客卿，

11 He so far enjoyed the good will which we have toward all peoples that he was proclaimed ＂father of the king,' before whom everyone was to bow down; he attained the rank second to the royal throne.

亲历朕对各族所有之优惠，竟被尊称为父，受万民敬礼，位居帝座之次。

12 But, unequal to this dignity, he strove to deprive us of kingdom and of life;

今高官厚禄，而心犹不足，竟欲夺朕位，害朕命，

13 and by weaving intricate webs of deceit, he demanded the destruction of Mordecai, our savior and constant benefactor, and of Esther, our blameless royal consort, together with their whole race.

更千方百计，企图将朕之救命恩主摩尔德开，并朕之无辜后妃艾斯德尔，与其全族上下，予以消灭。

14 For by such measures he hoped to catch us defenseless and to transfer the rule of the Persians to the Macedonians.

如此，欲乘朕之孤立，交波斯帝国于马其顿人。

15 But we find that the Jews, who were doomed to extinction by this archcriminal, are not evildoers, but rather are governed by very just laws

然据朕察知，此败类欲消灭之犹太人，原非作恶歹徒，实乃奉公守法之民，

16 and are the children of the Most High, the living God of majesty, who has maintained the kingdom in a flourishing condition for us and for our forebears.

实乃赐朕与朕祖国昌盛之至高至大，永生天主之子民。

17 ＂You will do well, then, to ignore the letter sent by Haman, son of Hammedatha,

是以尔辈不宜履行哈默大达之子哈曼颁发之文书，

18 for he who composed it has been hanged, together with his entire household, before the gates of Susa. Thus swiftly has God, who governs all, brought just punishment upon him.

因其撰者与全家已悬首于稣撒门前，主宰万物者天主立即使其得此报应。

19 ＂You shall exhibit a copy of this letter publicly in every place, to certify that the Jews may follow their own laws,

因此，是项文告，尔辈应四处公布，准犹太人遵守其固有之法律，且

20 and that you may help them on the day set for their ruin, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, to defend themselves against those who attack them.

应在择定迫害彼等之日，即阿达尔十二月十三日协助彼等敌抗杀害彼等之人。

21 For God, the ruler of all, has turned that day for them from one of destruction of the chosen race into one of joy.

盖主宰万物者天主，已将此消灭选民之日化为喜乐之日。

22 Therefore, you too must celebrate this memorable day among your designated feasts with all rejoicing,

是以于尔辈之庆节中，也应隆重庆祝此纪念日，

23 so that both now and in the future it may be, for us and for loyal Persians, a celebration of victory, and for those who plot against us a reminder of destruction.

使现今与未来皆庆祝朕与亲善波斯者之胜利，但为图谋害朕之辈，乃灭亡之纪念日。

24 ＂Every city and province, without exception, that does not observe this decree shall be ruthlessly destroyed with fire and sword, so that it will be left not merely untrodden by men, but even shunned by wild beasts and birds forever.＂

凡不履行此命令之城市或区域，应毫不留情，一律火焚诛灭，使之不但人迹不至，即鸟兽亦视为畏途，直达永远。＂



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Footnotes（注解）

1 [8] Whatever is written . . . cannot be revoked: the king cannot directly grant Esther's request (Esther 8:5) to revoke the previous decree against the Jews because of the irrevocable character of the laws of the Medes and Persians (Esther 1:19; Daniel 6:9); but he empowers Esther to issue a new decree in his name which renders the earlier decree without effect; cf Esther 3:12f.

2 [13] Avenge themselves on their enemies: partly in self-defense (Esther E:20), and partly to express the fact that the extreme cruelty designed against the Jews by their enemies now recoiled upon the latter as a punishment. Cf Esther 9:1f.

Esther
Chapter 9

1 When the day arrived on which the order decreed by the king was to be carried out, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, on which the enemies of the Jews had expected to become masters of them, the situation was reversed: the Jews became masters of their enemies.

十二月，＂阿达尔＂月十三日是该执行君令和上谕的那一天，也是犹太人的敌人原想歼灭犹太人的日期，却变成了犹太人制服敌人的日子。

2 The Jews mustered in their cities throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus to attack those who sought to do them harm, and no one could withstand them, but all peoples were seized with a fear of them.

住在薛西斯王各省各城的犹太人，都聚集起来，动手攻打那些想谋害他们的人，但没有一个人能敌挡他们，因为所有人民都害怕他们。

3 Moreover, all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, governors, and royal procurators supported the Jews from fear of Mordecai;

各省的首长，御史大臣和省长，以及为君王服务的人都拥护犹太人，因为害怕摩尔德开。

4 for Mordecai was powerful in the royal palace, and the report was spreading through all the provinces that he was continually growing in power.

的确，摩尔德开在王宫里已掌大权，声誉传遍各省，而摩尔德开的权力越来越大。

5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them; they did to their enemies as they pleased.

这样犹太人就用刀屠杀消灭了一切敌人，任意对待了仇恨他们的人；

6 In the stronghold of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.

只在稣撒禁城，犹太人就杀死了五百人，

7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

也杀了帕商大达、达耳丰、阿斯帕达、

8 Porathai, Adalia, Aridatha,

颇辣达、阿达里雅、阿黎大达、

9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha,

帕玛市达、阿黎赛、阿黎待与耶匝达，

10 1 the ten sons of Haman, son of Hammedatha, the foe of the Jews. However, they did not engage in plundering.

即哈默大达的儿子，犹太人的仇人哈曼的十个儿子，但没有下手抢夺财物。

11 On the same day, when the number of those killed in the stronghold of Susa was reported to the king,

当天，君王就知道了在酥撒禁城内杀死的人数。

12 he said to Queen Esther: ＂In the stronghold of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men, as well as the ten sons of Haman. What must they have done in the other royal provinces! You shall again be granted whatever you ask, and whatever you request shall be honored.＂

王对艾斯德尔后说：＂在稣撒禁城内，犹太人已杀死了五百人和哈曼的十个儿子，在帝国其他各省内，他们更将做出何事？如今你还请求什么，我必赐给你；你还要求什么，我都必履行。＂

13 So Esther said, ＂If it pleases your majesty, let the Jews in Susa be permitted again tomorrow to act according to today's decree, and let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on gibbets.＂

艾斯德尔答说：＂如蒙大王赐恩，请恩准住在酥撤的犹太人，明天也照今天的法律行事，把哈曼的十个儿子悬在刑架上。＂

14 The king then gave an order to this effect, and the decree was published in Susa. So the ten sons of Haman were hanged,

王就下令照办。于是在稣撒发出了一道谕旨，要把哈曼的十个儿子悬在刑架上。

15 2 and the Jews in Susa mustered again on the fourteenth of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men in Susa. However, they did not engage in plundering.

在＂阿达尔＂月十四日那一天，住在酥撒的犹太人又集合起来，在那里击杀了三百人，但没有下手抢夺财物。

16 3 The other Jews, who dwelt in the royal provinces, also mustered and defended themselves, and obtained rest from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of their foes, without engaging in plunder,

住在君王各省的其他犹太人，也聚集起来保卫自己，摆脱敌人的侵害，把他们的七万五千仇人杀死，但没有下手抢夺财物。

17 on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. On the fourteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.

这是＂阿达尔＂月十三日的事；十四日那天，他们安息，举行庆功的欢宴。

18 (The Jews in Susa, however, mustered on the thirteenth and fourteenth of the month. But on the fifteenth they rested, and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.)

住在稣撒的犹太人，因为在十三十四日聚集复仇，便于十五日安息，举行庆功的欢宴。

19 That is why the rural Jews, who dwell in villages, celebrate the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of rejoicing and feasting, a holiday on which they send gifts of food to one another.

从此以后，那些住在村庄的犹太乡民，奉＂阿达尔＂月十四日为庆日，欢宴庆祝，互送礼物；但居住在城市的犹太人却以＂阿达尔＂月十五日为庆日，互送礼物。

20 Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews, both near and far, in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

摩尔德开于是将这些事记录下来，并向薛西斯王各省远近的犹太人颁发文书，

21 He ordered them to celebrate every year both the fourteenth and the fifteenth of the month of Adar

通告他们应每年庆祝＂阿达尔＂月十四十五两天，

22 as the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and as the month which was turned for them from sorrow into joy, from mourning into festivity. They were to observe these days with feasting and gladness, sending food to one another and gifts to the poor.

因为这两天是犹太人彻底摆脱仇敌的日子，而这一月为他们是化忧为喜，化凶为吉的一月，因此该以欢宴庆祝这两天，互赠礼物，救济穷困。

23 The Jews took upon themselves for the future this observance which they instituted at the written direction of Mordecai.

犹太人便把已开始举行的和摩尔德开给他们规定的事，奉为永远当守的盛典。

24 Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the foe of all the Jews, had planned to destroy them and had cast the pur, or lot, for the time of their defeat and destruction.

原来阿加格人哈默大达的儿子哈曼，那全犹太人的仇人曾蓄意加害犹太人，要将他们灭绝，就抽出＂普尔＂即签，来择定铲除歼灭他们的日子。

25 Yet, when Esther entered the royal presence, the king ordered in writing that the wicked plan Haman had devised against the Jews should instead be turned against Haman and that he and his sons should be hanged on gibbets.

但是君王一洞悉此事，便下谕令说：＂哈曼加害犹太人想出来的阴谋，应加在他自己头上！＂就判处他和他的儿子们悬在刑架上。

26 And so these days have been named Purim after the word pur. Thus, because of all that was contained in this letter, and because of what they had witnessed and experienced in this affair,

从此，人就援用＂普尔＂一名，称这两天为＂普陵节。＂依照这文书记载的，和他们有关此事亲身看见及经历的一切，

27 the Jews established and took upon themselves, their descendants, and all who should join them, the inviolable obligation of celebrating these two days every year in the manner prescribed by this letter, and at the time appointed.

犹太人便给自己，给自己的子孙，给一切加人他们集合的人，规定了每年该照规定依时庆祝这两天为不可更改的法律；

28 These days were to be commemorated and kept in every generation, by every clan, in every province, and in every city. These days of Purim were never to fall into disuse among the Jews, nor into oblivion among their descendants.

世世代代，家家户户，各省各城，应纪念和庆祝这两天；犹太人决不可废除这两天的＂普陵节＂，他们的子孙也决不可忘掉这庆节。

29 4 Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail and of Mordecai the Jew, wrote to confirm with full authority this second letter about Purim,

阿彼海耳的女儿艾斯德尔后与犹太人摩尔德开，又以全权再度写了一道核准普陵节的文书。

30 when Mordecai sent documents concerning peace and security to all the Jews in the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of Ahasuerus' kingdom.

然后把此文书分发给所有住在薛西斯帝国一百二十七省内的犹太人，以平和诚恳的言词，

31 5 Thus were established, for their appointed time, these days of Purim which Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had designated for the Jews, just as they , had previously enjoined upon themselves and upon their race the duty of fasting and supplication.

劝他们遵照犹太人摩尔德开对这＂普陵节＂所规定的，依时举行。至于禁食和哀歌的吟咏等礼，则可依照他们自己及自己的后代所规定的去行。

32 The command of Esther confirmed these prescriptions for Purim and was recorded in the book.

从此艾斯德尔的命令，便成了＂普陵节＂的规定，且著录于史册。



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Footnotes（注解）

1 [10] They did not engage in plundering: in contrast to the Israelites who fought Agag (1 Sam 15:9); cf also Esther 9:15f.

2 [15] This second slaughter explains the two dates (13th and 14th) of the Purim celebration by Jews in Susa (Esther 9:18).

3 [16] Seventy-five thousand: according to the Greek text this number was fifteen thousand.

4 [29] Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail and of Mordecai: the natural offspring of Abihail and adopted daughter of Mordecai; cf Esther 2:15. This second letter: for the burden of this letter see Esther 9:20ff. It was endorsed by Queen Esther. The first letter, written in the king's name, is referred to in Esther 8:9.

5 [31] Fasting and supplication: as the Jews had previously undertaken the duty of fasting and supplication to prevent the impending disaster, they now observe days of festival to commemorate their deliverance-in both cases (cf Esther 4:3, 15f) at the request of Mordecai and Esther.

Esther
Chapter 10

1 King Ahasuerus laid tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.

薛西斯王向陆地及各海岛的居民征税。

2 All the acts of his power and valor, as well as a detailed account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king promoted, are recorded in the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia.

他所行伟大英勇的事迹，以及显耀摩尔德开的详细经过，都记载在玛待和波斯君王的年鉴上。

3 The Jew Mordecai was next in rank to King Ahasuerus, in high standing among the Jews, and was regarded with favor by his many brethren, as the promoter of his people's welfare and the herald of peace for his whole race.

犹太人摩尔德开，位仅次于薛西斯王，受犹太人的敬重，受他全体同胞的爱戴；他也努力为他的民族谋幸福，关心他的整个种族的安全。

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Esther
Chapter 10

1 King Ahasuerus laid tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.

薛西斯王向陆地及各海岛的居民征税。

2 All the acts of his power and valor, as well as a detailed account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king promoted, are recorded in the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia.

他所行伟大英勇的事迹，以及显耀摩尔德开的详细经过，都记载在玛待和波斯君王的年鉴上。

3 The Jew Mordecai was next in rank to King Ahasuerus, in high standing among the Jews, and was regarded with favor by his many brethren, as the promoter of his people's welfare and the herald of peace for his whole race.

犹太人摩尔德开，位仅次于薛西斯王，受犹太人的敬重，受他全体同胞的爱戴；他也努力为他的民族谋幸福，关心他的整个种族的安全。

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Esther Chapter F补录巳

1 Then Mordecai said: ＂This is the work of God.

摩尔德开说：＂这一切都是天主一手完成的：

2 I recall the dream I had about these very things, and not a single detail has been left unfulfilled-

对这一切，我还记得我作的梦，果然都一一应验了：

3 the tiny spring that grew into a river, the light of the sun, the many waters. The river is Esther, whom the king married and made queen.

那变成大河的小泉，其上照耀着象太阳的曙光，和汹涌的水，——艾斯德尔就是这大河，君王娶了她，立为王后；

4 The two dragons are myself and Haman.

那两条巨龙，便是我和哈曼；

5 The nations are those who assembled to destroy the name of the Jews,

万民就是那些团结起来，要铲除犹太人名号的群众；

6 but my people is Israel, who cried to God and was saved. ＂The LORD saved his people and delivered us from all these evils. God worked signs and great wonders, such as have not occurred among the nations.

我的民族，就是以色列，他们向天主哀号，而获得了救援；上主救了他的百姓，上主使我们脱离了一切祸患，天主在万民中做了空前未有的奇迹和伟业。

7 1 For this purpose he arranged two lots: one for the people of God, the second for all the other nations.

因此，天主制定了两签：一签为天主的百姓，一签为其他的民族。

8 These two lots were fulfilled in the hour, the time, and the day of judgment before God and among all the nations.

这两签在天主为万民所指定的时日，出现在天主前；

9 God remembered his people and rendered justice to his inheritance.

天主想起了他的民族，保护了他的家业。

10 2 ＂Gathering together with joy and happiness before God, they shall celebrate these days on the fourteenth and fifteenth of the month Adar throughout all future generations of his people Israel.＂

阿达尔月的十四十五两天，为他们将成为以色列民族中，世世代代，永远在天主前欢聚喜乐的庆辰。



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Footnotes（注解）

1 [7] Two lots: in this passage of the Greek text, which gives a more religious interpretation of the feast, the two lots are drawn by God to determine, respectively, the destiny of Israel and that of the nations. In Esther 3:7 above, translated from the Hebrew text, the feast is called Purim because of the lots which Aman Cast to determine the day for the extinction of the Jews.

2 [10] The Greek text of Esther contains a postscript as follows: In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemy and Cleopatra, Dositheus, who said he was a priest and Levite, and his son Ptolemy brought the present letter of Purim, saying that it was genuine and that Lysimachus, son of Ptolemy, of the community of Jerusalem, had translated it. The date referred to in this postscript is most probably 78-77 B.C., in the reign of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra V.