《尤兰提亚之书》英文版自 2006 年起在全球范围内属于公共领域.
翻译: © 2015 Urantia Foundation
FINAL ADMONITIONS AND WARNINGS
最后的劝诫和警告
1955 181:0.1 AFTER the conclusion of the farewell discourse to the eleven, Jesus visited informally with them and recounted many experiences which concerned them as a group and as individuals. At last it was beginning to dawn upon these Galileans that their friend and teacher was going to leave them, and their hope grasped at the promise that, after a little while, he would again be with them, but they were prone to forget that this return visit was also for a little while. Many of the apostles and the leading disciples really thought that this promise to return for a short season (the short interval between the resurrection and the ascension) indicated that Jesus was just going away for a brief visit with his Father, after which he would return to establish the kingdom. And such an interpretation of his teaching conformed both with their preconceived beliefs and with their ardent hopes. Since their lifelong beliefs and hopes of wish fulfillment were thus agreed, it was not difficult for them to find an interpretation of the Master’s words which would justify their intense longings.
2015 181:0.1 在对十一人的告别讲话结束之后,耶稣与他们非正式地闲谈,并重述了许多涉及他们作为一个团体和个人的经历。最后,这些加利利人开始渐悟,他们的朋友和导师将要离开他们,他们的希望想抓住这一许诺,即在一小会儿之后,他会再次与他们在一起,不过他们容易忘记的是,这次返回造访也是一小会儿,许多使徒和领头的门徒真的以为这一返回一小段时期的许诺(即在复活和升天之间的短暂时间间隔),表明了耶稣只离开对他的父简短造访,在那之后他会返回建立王国。对他教导的这样一种阐释,既符合他们的预想信念,也符合他们的热切希望。由于他们毕生的信念和愿望实现的希望这样被同意了,他们要找到一种会替他们强烈渴望辩护的对主的话语的阐释并不难。
1955 181:0.2 After the farewell discourse had been discussed and had begun to settle down in their minds, Jesus again called the apostles to order and began the impartation of his final admonitions and warnings.
2015 181:0.2 在告别讲话被讨论且开始在他们心中安定下来之后,耶稣再次召唤使徒们就序并开始传授他的最后劝诫和警告。
1. LAST WORDS OF COMFORT
1. 最后的安慰话语
1955 181:1.1 When the eleven had taken their seats, Jesus stood and addressed them: “As long as I am with you in the flesh, I can be but one individual in your midst or in the entire world. But when I have been delivered from this investment of mortal nature, I will be able to return as a spirit indweller of each of you and of all other believers in this gospel of the kingdom. In this way the Son of Man will become a spiritual incarnation in the souls of all true believers.
1955 181:1.2 “When I have returned to live in you and work through you, I can the better lead you on through this life and guide you through the many abodes in the future life in the heaven of heavens. Life in the Father’s eternal creation is not an endless rest of idleness and selfish ease but rather a ceaseless progression in grace, truth, and glory. Each of the many, many stations in my Father’s house is a stopping place, a life designed to prepare you for the next one ahead. And so will the children of light go on from glory to glory until they attain the divine estate wherein they are spiritually perfected even as the Father is perfect in all things.
1955 181:1.3 “If you would follow after me when I leave you, put forth your earnest efforts to live in accordance with the spirit of my teachings and with the ideal of my life—the doing of my Father’s will. This do instead of trying to imitate my natural life in the flesh as I have, perforce, been required to live it on this world.
1955 181:1.4 “The Father sent me into this world, but only a few of you have chosen fully to receive me. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, but all men will not choose to receive this new teacher as the guide and counselor of the soul. But as many as do receive him shall be enlightened, cleansed, and comforted. And this Spirit of Truth will become in them a well of living water springing up into eternal life.
1955 181:1.5 “And now, as I am about to leave you, I would speak words of comfort. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I make these gifts not as the world gives—by measure—I give each of you all you will receive. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. I have overcome the world, and in me you shall all triumph through faith. I have warned you that the Son of Man will be killed, but I assure you I will come back before I go to the Father, even though it be for only a little while. And after I have ascended to the Father, I will surely send the new teacher to be with you and to abide in your very hearts. And when you see all this come to pass, be not dismayed, but rather believe, inasmuch as you knew it all beforehand. I have loved you with a great affection, and I would not leave you, but it is the Father’s will. My hour has come.
2015 181:1.5 “此时,在我就要离开你们之时,我想要说些安慰的话语。我留给你们平安;我给你们我的平安。我做出这些赠与,不像这个世界依照量度所给予的,我给予你们每个人你们将会接受的一切。不要让你的心烦恼,也不要让它害怕。我已经战胜了世界,你们通过信任我必都获胜。我已警告过你们人子将被杀死,不过我向你们保证,我会在我去父那儿之前回来,即使只有一小会儿。在我升到父那儿之后,我必定会派新导师与你们在一起,并住在你们心里。当你们见到所有这一切发生时,不要沮丧,反而相信,因为你们提前知道它了。我怀着极大深情爱你们,我也不想离开你们,不过它是父的意志。我的时刻已到来了。[12][13][14][15][16][17]
1955 181:1.6 “Doubt not any of these truths even after you are scattered abroad by persecution and are downcast by many sorrows. When you feel that you are alone in the world, I will know of your isolation even as, when you are scattered every man to his own place, leaving the Son of Man in the hands of his enemies, you will know of mine. But I am never alone; always is the Father with me. Even at such a time I will pray for you. And all of these things have I told you that you might have peace and have it more abundantly. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have triumphed in the world and shown you the way to eternal joy and everlasting service.”
1955 181:1.7 Jesus gives peace to his fellow doers of the will of God but not on the order of the joys and satisfactions of this material world. Unbelieving materialists and fatalists can hope to enjoy only two kinds of peace and soul comfort: Either they must be stoics, with steadfast resolution determined to face the inevitable and to endure the worst; or they must be optimists, ever indulging that hope which springs eternal in the human breast, vainly longing for a peace which never really comes.
1955 181:1.8 A certain amount of both stoicism and optimism are serviceable in living a life on earth, but neither has aught to do with that superb peace which the Son of God bestows upon his brethren in the flesh. The peace which Michael gives his children on earth is that very peace which filled his own soul when he himself lived the mortal life in the flesh and on this very world. The peace of Jesus is the joy and satisfaction of a God-knowing individual who has achieved the triumph of learning fully how to do the will of God while living the mortal life in the flesh. The peace of Jesus’ mind was founded on an absolute human faith in the actuality of the divine Father’s wise and sympathetic overcare. Jesus had trouble on earth, he has even been falsely called the “man of sorrows,” but in and through all of these experiences he enjoyed the comfort of that confidence which ever empowered him to proceed with his life purpose in the full assurance that he was achieving the Father’s will.
1955 181:1.9 Jesus was determined, persistent, and thoroughly devoted to the accomplishment of his mission, but he was not an unfeeling and calloused stoic; he ever sought for the cheerful aspects of his life experiences, but he was not a blind and self-deceived optimist. The Master knew all that was to befall him, and he was unafraid. After he had bestowed this peace upon each of his followers, he could consistently say, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
1955 181:1.10 The peace of Jesus is, then, the peace and assurance of a son who fully believes that his career for time and eternity is safely and wholly in the care and keeping of an all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful spirit Father. And this is, indeed, a peace which passes the understanding of mortal mind, but which can be enjoyed to the full by the believing human heart.
2. FAREWELL PERSONAL ADMONITIONS
2. 告别的个人劝诫
1955 181:2.1 The Master had finished giving his farewell instructions and imparting his final admonitions to the apostles as a group. He then addressed himself to saying good-bye individually and to giving each a word of personal advice, together with his parting blessing. The apostles were still seated about the table as when they first sat down to partake of the Last Supper, and as the Master went around the table talking to them, each man rose to his feet when Jesus addressed him.
2015 181:2.1 主结束了给予他的告别指示和针对作为一个团体的使徒传授他的最后劝诫。之后,他把注意力转向单个人的告别以及给予每个人一句个人建议的话语,加上他的离别祝福。使徒们仍就座于桌子周围,如同他们早前坐下吃最后晚餐之时一样,随着主绕着桌子走对他们讲话,每个人在耶稣对他讲话时站起来。
1955 181:2.2 To John, Jesus said: “You, John, are the youngest of my brethren. You have been very near me, and while I love you all with the same love which a father bestows upon his sons, you were designated by Andrew as one of the three who should always be near me. Besides this, you have acted for me and must continue so to act in many matters concerning my earthly family. And I go to the Father, John, having full confidence that you will continue to watch over those who are mine in the flesh. See to it that their present confusion regarding my mission does not in any way prevent your extending to them all sympathy, counsel, and help even as you know I would if I were to remain in the flesh. And when they all come to see the light and enter fully into the kingdom, while you all will welcome them joyously, I depend upon you, John, to welcome them for me.
1955 181:2.3 “And now, as I enter upon the closing hours of my earthly career, remain near at hand that I may leave any message with you regarding my family. As concerns the work put in my hands by the Father, it is now finished except for my death in the flesh, and I am ready to drink this last cup. But as for the responsibilities left to me by my earthly father, Joseph, while I have attended to these during my life, I must now depend upon you to act in my stead in all these matters. And I have chosen you to do this for me, John, because you are the youngest and will therefore very likely outlive these other apostles.
1955 181:2.4 “Once we called you and your brother sons of thunder. You started out with us strong-minded and intolerant, but you have changed much since you wanted me to call fire down upon the heads of ignorant and thoughtless unbelievers. And you must change yet more. You should become the apostle of the new commandment which I have this night given you. Dedicate your life to teaching your brethren how to love one another, even as I have loved you.”
1955 181:2.5 As John Zebedee stood there in the upper chamber, the tears rolling down his cheeks, he looked into the Master’s face and said: “And so I will, my Master, but how can I learn to love my brethren more?” And then answered Jesus: “You will learn to love your brethren more when you first learn to love their Father in heaven more, and after you have become truly more interested in their welfare in time and in eternity. And all such human interest is fostered by understanding sympathy, unselfish service, and unstinted forgiveness. No man should despise your youth, but I exhort you always to give due consideration to the fact that age oftentimes represents experience, and that nothing in human affairs can take the place of actual experience. Strive to live peaceably with all men, especially your friends in the brotherhood of the heavenly kingdom. And, John, always remember, strive not with the souls you would win for the kingdom.”
1955 181:2.6 And then the Master, passing around his own seat, paused a moment by the side of the place of Judas Iscariot. The apostles were rather surprised that Judas had not returned before this, and they were very curious to know the significance of Jesus’ sad countenance as he stood by the betrayer’s vacant seat. But none of them, except possibly Andrew, entertained even the slightest thought that their treasurer had gone out to betray his Master, as Jesus had intimated to them earlier in the evening and during the supper. So much had been going on that, for the time being, they had quite forgotten about the Master’s announcement that one of them would betray him.
2015 181:2.6 之后,主绕过他自己的座位,在犹大·以斯加略的位子旁边暂停了片刻。使徒们有点奇怪犹大在这之前并未返回,他们非常好奇想了解耶稣站在这个背叛者空位旁边时他悲伤表情的意思。不过他们所有人,可能除了安德鲁以外,都不曾怀有哪怕是最轻微的想法,即他们的财务主管已经如同耶稣在晚上早些时候和晚餐期间向他们暗示过的那样,出去出卖他的主了。太多事情正在进行,他们一时完全忘记了关于主的宣布,即他们中的一个将会出卖他。
1955 181:2.7 Jesus now went over to Simon Zelotes, who stood up and listened to this admonition: “You are a true son of Abraham, but what a time I have had trying to make you a son of this heavenly kingdom. I love you and so do all of your brethren. I know that you love me, Simon, and that you also love the kingdom, but you are still set on making this kingdom come according to your liking. I know full well that you will eventually grasp the spiritual nature and meaning of my gospel, and that you will do valiant work in its proclamation, but I am distressed about what may happen to you when I depart. I would rejoice to know that you would not falter; I would be made happy if I could know that, after I go to the Father, you would not cease to be my apostle, and that you would acceptably deport yourself as an ambassador of the heavenly kingdom.”
2015 181:2.7 耶稣此时朝奋锐党人西蒙走去,他站了起来并倾听了这一劝诫:“你是一个真正的亚伯拉罕子孙,不过我花了多少时间尝试令你成为这个天国的子民啊。我爱你,你的所有兄弟也都如此。我知道你爱我,西蒙,你也爱王国,不过你仍决意依照你的喜好令这个王国到来。我完全清楚地知道,你将会最终把握我福音的灵性本质和意涵,你将会在其宣扬上做英勇的工作,不过我还忧虑,当我离开时什么事会发生在你身上。若知道你不会动摇,我会很高兴;若我能知道在我去到父那儿之后,你不会停止做我的使徒,你会合意地令你自己举止得体,成为天国的一个使者,我将会因此而开心。”
1955 181:2.8 Jesus had hardly ceased speaking to Simon Zelotes when the fiery patriot, drying his eyes, replied: “Master, have no fears for my loyalty. I have turned my back upon everything that I might dedicate my life to the establishment of your kingdom on earth, and I will not falter. I have survived every disappointment so far, and I will not forsake you.”
2015 181:2.8 耶稣还未停止对奋锐党人西蒙讲话,这时这个激烈的爱国者就一边擦干他的眼泪,一边回答:“主,不要对我的忠诚有任何担心。我已经背弃一切,这样我可以将我的一生奉献给您在世上王国的建立,我也不会动摇。我已经从迄今为止的每次失望中幸存下来,我不会遗弃您。”
1955 181:2.9 And then, laying his hand on Simon’s shoulder, Jesus said: “It is indeed refreshing to hear you talk like that, especially at such a time as this, but, my good friend, you still do not know what you are talking about. Not for one moment would I doubt your loyalty, your devotion; I know you would not hesitate to go forth in battle and die for me, as all these others would” (and they all nodded a vigorous approval), “but that will not be required of you. I have repeatedly told you that my kingdom is not of this world, and that my disciples will not fight to effect its establishment. I have told you this many times, Simon, but you refuse to face the truth. I am not concerned with your loyalty to me and to the kingdom, but what will you do when I go away and you at last wake up to the realization that you have failed to grasp the meaning of my teaching, and that you must adjust your misconceptions to the reality of another and spiritual order of affairs in the kingdom?”
1955 181:2.10 Simon wanted to speak further, but Jesus raised his hand and, stopping him, went on to say: “None of my apostles are more sincere and honest at heart than you, but not one of them will be so upset and disheartened as you, after my departure. In all of your discouragement my spirit shall abide with you, and these, your brethren, will not forsake you. Do not forget what I have taught you regarding the relation of citizenship on earth to sonship in the Father’s spiritual kingdom. Ponder well all that I have said to you about rendering to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and to God that which is God’s. Dedicate your life, Simon, to showing how acceptably mortal man may fulfill my injunction concerning the simultaneous recognition of temporal duty to civil powers and spiritual service in the brotherhood of the kingdom. If you will be taught by the Spirit of Truth, never will there be conflict between the requirements of citizenship on earth and sonship in heaven unless the temporal rulers presume to require of you the homage and worship which belong only to God.
2015 181:2.10 西蒙本想要讲更多,不过耶稣却举起他的手,一边阻止他,一边继续说:“我的使徒中没有人比你在心中更真诚和诚实的了,不过在我离开之后,他们中没有一个会像你这样失望和灰心。在你的所有沮丧中,我的灵必与你住在一起,你的这些兄弟也不会遗弃你。不要忘记我就世上公民身份与父之灵性王国子民身份关系所教导你们的。仔细考虑清楚我关于让凯撒之物归给凯撒和让神之物归给神对你们所说的一切。西蒙,将你的一生奉献于展示凡人如何可以合意履行我关于对民事权利之世俗职责和王国兄弟情谊上灵性服务同时承认的嘱咐。若你愿被真理之灵教导,在世上公民身份和天上子民身份的要求之间就绝不会有冲突,除非世上统治者擅自要求你们本只属于神的效忠和崇拜。[33]
1955 181:2.11 “And now, Simon, when you do finally see all of this, and after you have shaken off your depression and have gone forth proclaiming this gospel in great power, never forget that I was with you even through all of your season of discouragement, and that I will go on with you to the very end. You shall always be my apostle, and after you become willing to see by the eye of the spirit and more fully to yield your will to the will of the Father in heaven, then will you return to labor as my ambassador, and no one shall take away from you the authority which I have conferred upon you, because of your slowness of comprehending the truths I have taught you. And so, Simon, once more I warn you that they who fight with the sword perish with the sword, while they who labor in the spirit achieve life everlasting in the kingdom to come with joy and peace in the kingdom which now is. And when the work given into your hands is finished on earth, you, Simon, shall sit down with me in my kingdom over there. You shall really see the kingdom you have longed for, but not in this life. Continue to believe in me and in that which I have revealed to you, and you shall receive the gift of eternal life.”
2015 181:2.11 “现在,西蒙,当你的确最终看到所有这一切,在你抖落你的沮丧并怀着大能出去宣扬这一福音之后,绝不要忘记我会与你一起经历你的所有气馁时期,我会与你一起继续直到最后。你将始终是我的使徒,在你愿意靠属灵之眼去看并更为全然地利用你的意志服从于天上之父的意志之后,你将会作为我的使徒回来劳作,没有人会因为你对理解我教导你真理的缓慢而将权威从你身上拿走。因此,西蒙,我再次警告你,凡以刀剑争战的,必死于刀剑,而凡以属灵方式劳作的,必怀着当下王国里的喜悦和平安,在即将到来的王国中实现永生。当交到你手中的工作在世上完成时,你,西蒙,必会与我一起在我那边的王国中坐下。你必会真正看到你渴望的王国,不过并不在这一生。继续相信我,相信我启示给你的那一切,你必会受到永生之赠予。”[34][35][36][37]
1955 181:2.12 When Jesus had finished speaking to Simon Zelotes, he stepped over to Matthew Levi and said: “No longer will it devolve upon you to provide for the treasury of the apostolic group. Soon, very soon, you will all be scattered; you will not be permitted to enjoy the comforting and sustaining association of even one of your brethren. As you go onward preaching this gospel of the kingdom, you will have to find for yourselves new associates. I have sent you forth two and two during the times of your training, but now that I am leaving you, after you have recovered from the shock, you will go out alone, and to the ends of the earth, proclaiming this good news: That faith-quickened mortals are the sons of God.”
1955 181:2.13 Then spoke Matthew: “But, Master, who will send us, and how shall we know where to go? Will Andrew show us the way?” And Jesus answered: “No, Levi, Andrew will no longer direct you in the proclamation of the gospel. He will, indeed, continue as your friend and counselor until that day whereon the new teacher comes, and then shall the Spirit of Truth lead each of you abroad to labor for the extension of the kingdom. Many changes have come over you since that day at the customhouse when you first set out to follow me; but many more must come before you will be able to see the vision of a brotherhood in which gentile sits alongside Jew in fraternal association. But go on with your urge to win your Jewish brethren until you are fully satisfied and then turn with power to the gentiles. One thing you may be certain of, Levi: You have won the confidence and affection of your brethren; they all love you.” (And all ten of them signified their acquiescence in the Master’s words.)
2015 181:2.13 之后马太说:“不过,主,谁将打发我们,我们如何知道去哪儿?安德鲁会给我们展示道路吗?”耶稣回答:“不,利未,安德鲁不再在福音宣扬上指导你们。他的确将会继续作为你们的朋友和顾问,直到新导师到来的那天,之后,真理之灵会引领你们每个人出去为王国的扩展劳作。自从你早先在收税处开始跟随我那天以来,许多改变已经来到你身上,不过在你能够看到外邦人以友好联盟方式与犹太人同坐一起的兄弟情谊之远景前,更多改变必须要发生。不过继续带着你的强烈欲望去赢得你的犹太人兄弟,直到你全然满意之后,怀着权能转向外邦人。有一件事你可以确信,利未:你已经赢得了你兄弟们的信任和喜爱,他们都爱你。”(他们所有十人都表明了对主之话语的默认。)[40][41]
1955 181:2.14 “Levi, I know much about your anxieties, sacrifices, and labors to keep the treasury replenished which your brethren do not know, and I am rejoiced that, though he who carried the bag is absent, the publican ambassador is here at my farewell gathering with the messengers of the kingdom. I pray that you may discern the meaning of my teaching with the eyes of the spirit. And when the new teacher comes into your heart, follow on as he will lead you and let your brethren see—even all the world—what the Father can do for a hated tax-gatherer who dared to follow the Son of Man and to believe the gospel of the kingdom. Even from the first, Levi, I loved you as I did these other Galileans. Knowing then so well that neither the Father nor the Son has respect of persons, see to it that you make no such distinctions among those who become believers in the gospel through your ministry. And so, Matthew, dedicate your whole future life service to showing all men that God is no respecter of persons; that, in the sight of God and in the fellowship of the kingdom, all men are equal, all believers are the sons of God.”
2015 181:2.14 “利未,我了解许多关于你兄弟们并不了解的你要保持资金充足的焦虑、牺牲和劳作,我很高兴的是,尽管拿钱袋子的不在了,但税吏使者却与王国使者们一起在我的告别聚会这儿。我祈祷你可以用属灵之眼辨别我教导的意涵。当新导师进入你的心中,继续跟随,因为他将引领你并让你的兄弟们见到 -- 甚至整个世界见到,父能为一个敢于追随人子并相信王国福音的令人厌恶的收税人做什么。即使从开始以来,利未,我就像爱这些其他的加利利人一样爱你。那么清楚知道了父和子都一视同仁,务必你不要在那些通过你的侍奉成为福音信奉者的人中间做出这种区别。因此,马太,将你整个的未来毕生服务致力于向所有人展示神是一视同仁的;在神的眼中,在王国的友伴身份上,所有人都是平等的,所有信奉者都是神的子女。”[42][43][44]
1955 181:2.15 Jesus then stepped over to James Zebedee, who stood in silence as the Master addressed him, saying: “James, when you and your younger brother once came to me seeking preferment in the honors of the kingdom, and I told you such honors were for the Father to bestow, I asked if you were able to drink my cup, and both of you answered that you were. Even if you were not then able, and if you are not now able, you will soon be prepared for such a service by the experience you are about to pass through. By such behavior you angered your brethren at that time. If they have not already fully forgiven you, they will when they see you drink my cup. Whether your ministry be long or short, possess your soul in patience. When the new teacher comes, let him teach you the poise of compassion and that sympathetic tolerance which is born of sublime confidence in me and of perfect submission to the Father’s will. Dedicate your life to the demonstration of that combined human affection and divine dignity of the God-knowing and Son-believing disciple. And all who thus live will reveal the gospel even in the manner of their death. You and your brother John will go different ways, and one of you may sit down with me in the eternal kingdom long before the other. It would help you much if you would learn that true wisdom embraces discretion as well as courage. You should learn sagacity to go along with your aggressiveness. There will come those supreme moments wherein my disciples will not hesitate to lay down their lives for this gospel, but in all ordinary circumstances it would be far better to placate the wrath of unbelievers that you might live and continue to preach the glad tidings. As far as lies in your power, live long on the earth that your life of many years may be fruitful in souls won for the heavenly kingdom.”
2015 181:2.15 耶稣之后向詹姆斯·西庇太迈步走去,当主向他致辞时,他默默站立,主说道:“詹姆斯,当你和你弟弟一度来到我这儿寻求在王国荣誉上的优先权时,我告诉过你们这种荣誉是由父所赠予的,我问过你们是否能饮下我的苦酒,你们都回答你们能。即使你们那时不能,若你们此时也不能,你们不久就会靠你们要经受的经历为这种服务做好准备。你们那时因这种行为而令你们的兄弟愤怒。若他们未完全宽恕你们,在他们见到你们饮了我的苦酒时,他们会的。无论你的侍奉是长是短,怀着耐心掌控你的灵魂。当新导师到来时,让他教导你怜悯的姿态和那种同情宽容,它出自于对我的崇高信任和对父之意志的完全服从。将你的一生致力于对知神信子的门徒那种结合起来的人性慈爱和神性尊严的展示。所有这样生活的人甚至会以他们死亡时的方式启示这一福音。你和你的弟弟约翰将会走不同的道路,你们中一个或许远在另一个之前就会与我一起在永恒的王国中坐下。若你愿意学会真正的智慧既包含勇气也包含谨慎,它会帮助你许多。你应该学会以睿智来伴随你的进取心。我的门徒毫不犹豫为了这一福音放下他们生命的那些至高无上时刻将会到来,不过在所有普通情况下,去安抚不信者的暴怒会好得多,这样你可以活下来并继续宣扬福音。在你能力的范围内,在世上长久活下去,这样你多年的生活在为天国赢得的灵魂上会富有成效。”[45][46][47][48][49]
1955 181:2.16 When the Master had finished speaking to James Zebedee, he stepped around to the end of the table where Andrew sat and, looking his faithful helper in the eyes, said: “Andrew, you have faithfully represented me as acting head of the ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. Although you have sometimes doubted and at other times manifested dangerous timidity, still, you have always been sincerely just and eminently fair in dealing with your associates. Ever since the ordination of you and your brethren as messengers of the kingdom, you have been self-governing in all group administrative affairs except that I designated you as the acting head of these chosen ones. In no other temporal matter have I acted to direct or to influence your decisions. And this I did in order to provide for leadership in the direction of all your subsequent group deliberations. In my universe and in my Father’s universe of universes, our brethren-sons are dealt with as individuals in all their spiritual relations, but in all group relationships we unfailingly provide for definite leadership. Our kingdom is a realm of order, and where two or more will creatures act in co-operation, there is always provided the authority of leadership.
2015 181:2.16 当主结束了对詹姆斯·西庇太的讲话之后,他绕到安德鲁所坐的桌子尽头,看着他忠实助手的眼睛,说道:“安德鲁,你已经忠实地代表我担当天国使者的代理头领。尽管你有时怀疑,在其他时候表现出危险的胆怯,但你却仍旧在和你同伴打交道上始终是真诚公正和极其公平的。自从你和你兄弟们作为王国使者的任命以来,除了我指派你作为这些选定使者的代理头领以外,你在所有团体管理事务上一直是自我管理的。我没有在任何其他世俗事务上行动去指导或影响你的决定。我这样做为的是在你所有随后团体商议的指导上,为领导能力做好准备。在我的宇宙中以及我父的众多宇宙所组成宇宙中,我们的兄弟子女在其所有灵性关系上都会作为个体而对待,不过在所有团体关系上,我们不倦地为明确的领导能力做好准备。我们的王国是一个充满秩序的领域,在两个或更多个意志受造物合作行动的地方,总会有提供领导能力之权威。
1955 181:2.17 “And now, Andrew, since you are the chief of your brethren by authority of my appointment, and since you have thus served as my personal representative, and as I am about to leave you and go to my Father, I release you from all responsibility as regards these temporal and administrative affairs. From now on you may exercise no jurisdiction over your brethren except that which you have earned in your capacity as spiritual leader, and which your brethren therefore freely recognize. From this hour you may exercise no authority over your brethren unless they restore such jurisdiction to you by their definite legislative action after I shall have gone to the Father. But this release from responsibility as the administrative head of this group does not in any manner lessen your moral responsibility to do everything in your power to hold your brethren together with a firm and loving hand during the trying time just ahead, those days which must intervene between my departure in the flesh and the sending of the new teacher who will live in your hearts, and who ultimately will lead you into all truth. As I prepare to leave you, I would liberate you from all administrative responsibility which had its inception and authority in my presence as one among you. Henceforth I shall exercise only spiritual authority over you and among you.
2015 181:2.17 “此时,安德鲁,由于你凭借我任命之权威而成为你兄弟们的首领,由于你由此担当了我的亲身代表,因为我要离开你们去到我父亲那儿了,我就这些世俗的管理事务而言,把你从所有责任中释放出来。从此时起,你可以不对你的兄弟们实施任何管辖权,除了你在你作为灵性领袖的能力上所赢得的管辖权以外,你的兄弟们因此会慷慨地承认。从这时起,你不会对你的兄弟们实施任何管辖权,除非他们在我去到父那儿之后,以他们的明确合法行动将这一管辖权恢复给你。不过这种从担当这一团体之管理头领的职责中的释放,决不会减少你在即将到来的艰难时间期间以你的能力尽力以坚定慈爱之手,将你的兄弟们维持在一起的道德责任,那些日子必定介于我从肉身中离开和派出住在你们心中并最终引领你们进入真理的新导师之间。因为我准备要离开你们了,我想要将你从所有在我作为你们中一贯存在而有其开端和权威的管理责任中解放出来,从此以后,我只对你及你们中间的人实施灵性权威。[50]
1955 181:2.18 “If your brethren desire to retain you as their counselor, I direct that you should, in all matters temporal and spiritual, do your utmost to promote peace and harmony among the various groups of sincere gospel believers. Dedicate the remainder of your life to promoting the practical aspects of brotherly love among your brethren. Be kind to my brothers in the flesh when they come fully to believe this gospel; manifest loving and impartial devotion to the Greeks in the West and to Abner in the East. Although these, my apostles, are soon going to be scattered to the four corners of the earth, there to proclaim the good news of the salvation of sonship with God, you are to hold them together during the trying time just ahead, that season of intense testing during which you must learn to believe this gospel without my personal presence while you patiently await the arrival of the new teacher, the Spirit of Truth. And so, Andrew, though it may not fall to you to do the great works as seen by men, be content to be the teacher and counselor of those who do such things. Go on with your work on earth to the end, and then shall you continue this ministry in the eternal kingdom, for have I not many times told you that I have other sheep not of this flock?”
2015 181:2.18 “若你的兄弟们想要挽留你担当他们的顾问,我指示,所有世俗和灵性事务上,你应该尽全力促进真诚的福音信奉者不同团体之间的和平与和谐。将你的一生致力于促进你们兄弟中间兄弟之爱的实际方面。当我肉身中的兄弟们完全相信这一福音时,友好对待他们;对西边的希腊人和东边的艾伯纳展现慈爱而又不偏不倚的奉献。尽管我的这些使徒们不久就要被分散到世上的各个角落,在那儿宣扬与神之亲子关系的拯救福音,但你在即将到来的艰难时间期间,却要将他们维持在一起,在那充满激烈考验的时期期间,你必须要学会在没有我亲身在场时相信这一福音,同时你要耐心等待新的导师、即真理之灵的到来。因此,安德鲁,尽管做人们所见的伟大工作或许不会落在你身上,要满足于成为那些做这些事之人的导师和顾问。在世上继续你的工作直到结束,之后你会在永恒王国继续这一侍奉,因为我难道没告诉过你我还有不属于这一羊圈的其他羊吗?”[51]
1955 181:2.19 Jesus then went over to the Alpheus twins and, standing between them, said: “My little children, you are one of the three groups of brothers who chose to follow after me. All six of you have done well to work in peace with your own flesh and blood, but none have done better than you. Hard times are just ahead of us. You may not understand all that will befall you and your brethren, but never doubt that you were once called to the work of the kingdom. For some time there will be no multitudes to manage, but do not become discouraged; when your lifework is finished, I will receive you on high, where in glory you shall tell of your salvation to seraphic hosts and to multitudes of the high Sons of God. Dedicate your lives to the enhancement of commonplace toil. Show all men on earth and the angels of heaven how cheerfully and courageously mortal man can, after having been called to work for a season in the special service of God, return to the labors of former days. If, for the time being, your work in the outward affairs of the kingdom should be completed, you should go back to your former labors with the new enlightenment of the experience of sonship with God and with the exalted realization that, to him who is God-knowing, there is no such thing as common labor or secular toil. To you who have worked with me, all things have become sacred, and all earthly labor has become a service even to God the Father. And when you hear the news of the doings of your former apostolic associates, rejoice with them and continue your daily work as those who wait upon God and serve while they wait. You have been my apostles, and you always shall be, and I will remember you in the kingdom to come.”
2015 181:2.19 耶稣之后朝阿尔斐孪生兄弟走去,站在他们中间,说道:“我可爱的孩子们,你们是选择跟随我的三组兄弟之一。你们六个人在与你们的亲骨肉和平相处上都做得很好,不过没有人比你们做得更好。艰难时期就在我们前方。你们或许不会理解就要降临到你们和你们兄弟身上的一切,不过决不要怀疑你们曾被召唤到王国的工作中。有段时间将不会有群众去管理,不过不要变得沮丧;当你们的毕生工作完成时,我会在天上接待你们,你们在那儿将会向炽天使大军和众多高等神子讲述你们的救赎。将你们的一生致力于平凡劳作的增强。在被召唤到在对神的专门服务上工作一段时期之后,向世上所有人们和天上的天使们展示凡人如何愉快而又勇敢地返回到昔日的劳作中。若你们在王国外在事务上的工作得以完成,你们应带着与神亲子关系体验的新觉悟,带着高尚的认知,即对知神之人而言,没有普通劳作或世俗劳苦这种事,回到你们先前的劳作中。对你们这些与我一起工作的人来说,所有事情都已变得神圣,甚至所有世上劳作都变成了对上父的一种服务。当你们听到你们之前使徒同伴的所行之事消息时,与他们一起欢喜,并如同那些服侍神以及在等待时服侍之人那样,继续你们的日常工作。你们是我的使徒,你们将永远是,我将在即将到来的王国中记得你们。”
1955 181:2.20 And then Jesus went over to Philip, who, standing up, heard this message from his Master: “Philip, you have asked me many foolish questions, but I have done my utmost to answer every one, and now would I answer the last of such questionings which have arisen in your most honest but unspiritual mind. All the time I have been coming around toward you, have you been saying to yourself, ‘What shall I ever do if the Master goes away and leaves us alone in the world?’ O, you of little faith! And yet you have almost as much as many of your brethren. You have been a good steward, Philip. You failed us only a few times, and one of those failures we utilized to manifest the Father’s glory. Your office of stewardship is about over. You must soon more fully do the work you were called to do—the preaching of this gospel of the kingdom. Philip, you have always wanted to be shown, and very soon shall you see great things. Far better that you should have seen all this by faith, but since you were sincere even in your material sightedness, you will live to see my words fulfilled. And then, when you are blessed with spiritual vision, go forth to your work, dedicating your life to the cause of leading mankind to search for God and to seek eternal realities with the eye of spiritual faith and not with the eyes of the material mind. Remember, Philip, you have a great mission on earth, for the world is filled with those who look at life just as you have tended to. You have a great work to do, and when it is finished in faith, you shall come to me in my kingdom, and I will take great pleasure in showing you that which eye has not seen, ear heard, nor the mortal mind conceived. In the meantime, become as a little child in the kingdom of the spirit and permit me, as the spirit of the new teacher, to lead you forward in the spiritual kingdom. And in this way will I be able to do much for you which I was not able to accomplish when I sojourned with you as a mortal of the realm. And always remember, Philip, he who has seen me has seen the Father.”
2015 181:2.20 之后耶稣朝菲利普走去,菲利普一边站起来,一边听这个来自他的主的讯息:“菲利普,你问过我许多愚蠢的问题,不过我已经尽我全力来回答每一个问题了,此时我想要回答浮现在你最为诚实、却又非灵性心智中的诸多询问的最后一个。在我朝你走过来的所有时间里,你是否心里一直想,‘若主离开并留我们独自在世上,我该怎么办?’啊,你这个拥有微小信仰的人!然而你拥有几乎和你的许多兄弟一样多的信仰。你是一个好管家,菲利普。你只令我们失望过几次,我们利用那些失败中的一个来显现父的荣耀。你管家身份的职务就要结束了。你必须很快要更全面做你被召唤去做的工作 -- 对这一王国福音的宣扬。菲利普,你总是想要被展示,很快你就会见到伟大之事。你凭借信仰见到这一切要好得多,不过既然你在你物质性眼光上是真诚的,你会活着见到我的话语应验。之后,当你被赐予灵性视野,出去做你的工作,将你的一生奉献给引领人类以灵性信仰之眼,而不是以物质性心智之眼,寻找神和寻求永恒实相。记住,菲利普,你在世上有一个伟大的使命,因为这个世界充满了那些像你一样看待人生的人。你有一个伟大的工作要去做,当怀着信仰完成它时,你必在我的王国中来到我这儿。我将会怀着极大喜悦展示给你眼睛无法看到、耳朵无法听到以及凡人心智无法察觉到的一切,与此同时,在属灵的王国中成为一个小孩子,让我作为新的导师之灵,在灵性王国中引领你向前。以此方式我能为你做许多我作为该域一个凡人与你们逗留时不能完成的事。要永远记住,菲利普,凡见到我的也就已经见到了父。”[52][53][54][55]
1955 181:2.21 Then went the Master over to Nathaniel. As Nathaniel stood up, Jesus bade him be seated and, sitting down by his side, said: “Nathaniel, you have learned to live above prejudice and to practice increased tolerance since you became my apostle. But there is much more for you to learn. You have been a blessing to your fellows in that they have always been admonished by your consistent sincerity. When I have gone, it may be that your frankness will interfere with your getting along well with your brethren, both old and new. You should learn that the expression of even a good thought must be modulated in accordance with the intellectual status and spiritual development of the hearer. Sincerity is most serviceable in the work of the kingdom when it is wedded to discretion.
2015 181:2.21 之后主朝纳撒尼尔走去,当纳撒尼尔站起来时,耶稣叫他坐下,一边在他身边坐下,一边说道:“纳撒尼尔,自从你成为我的使徒以来,你已学会了摆脱偏见去生活,实践增强的宽容。不过你还有更多要学习。你对你的同伴们来说是一个祝福,因为他们总是被你一贯的真诚所劝诫。当我离开时,或许你的坦率会妨碍你与你兄弟们的和睦相处,无论是旧的还是新的兄弟。你应该学会,甚至一个好想法的表达也必须要依照听者的智性状态和灵性发展而有所调整。当真诚与谨慎密不可分时,它在王国工作中将是最有用的。
1955 181:2.22 “If you would learn to work with your brethren, you might accomplish more permanent things, but if you find yourself going off in quest of those who think as you do, in that event dedicate your life to proving that the God-knowing disciple can become a kingdom builder even when alone in the world and wholly isolated from his fellow believers. I know you will be faithful to the end, and I will some day welcome you to the enlarged service of my kingdom on high.”
2015 181:2.22 “若你想要学会与你的兄弟们一起工作,你或许会完成更永久的事情,不过若你要发现自己去寻找那些与你想法一样的人,那样的话将你的一生致力于证明知神门徒甚至在世上独身并完全与他的同伴信奉者隔绝时,也能成为一个王国建造者。我知道你会忠诚到底,我终有一日会欢迎你到我天上王国的扩增服务团队中。”
1955 181:2.23 Then Nathaniel spoke, asking Jesus this question: “I have listened to your teaching ever since you first called me to the service of this kingdom, but I honestly cannot understand the full meaning of all you tell us. I do not know what to expect next, and I think most of my brethren are likewise perplexed, but they hesitate to confess their confusion. Can you help me?” Jesus, putting his hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder, said: “My friend, it is not strange that you should encounter perplexity in your attempt to grasp the meaning of my spiritual teachings since you are so handicapped by your preconceptions of Jewish tradition and so confused by your persistent tendency to interpret my gospel in accordance with the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees.
2015 181:2.23 之后纳撒尼尔说话了,问了耶稣这个问题:“自从您早先召唤我到这一王国的服务中以来,我已倾听了您的教导,不过我真的无法理解您告诉我们一切的全部意涵。我不知接下来期待什么,我想我兄弟中大多数同样困惑,不过他们不愿坦承他们的困惑,您能帮助我吗?”耶稣将他的手放到纳撒尼尔的肩上说道:“我的朋友,你在想要把握我灵性教导意涵的尝试上遇到困惑并不奇怪,因为你被你犹太人传统的先入之见所阻碍,被你想要依照文士和法利赛人的教导阐释我福音的持续倾向所迷惑。
1955 181:2.24 “I have taught you much by word of mouth, and I have lived my life among you. I have done all that can be done to enlighten your minds and liberate your souls, and what you have not been able to get from my teachings and my life, you must now prepare to acquire at the hand of that master of all teachers—actual experience. And in all of this new experience which now awaits you, I will go before you and the Spirit of Truth shall be with you. Fear not; that which you now fail to comprehend, the new teacher, when he has come, will reveal to you throughout the remainder of your life on earth and on through your training in the eternal ages.”
1955 181:2.25 And then the Master, turning to all of them, said: “Be not dismayed that you fail to grasp the full meaning of the gospel. You are but finite, mortal men, and that which I have taught you is infinite, divine, and eternal. Be patient and of good courage since you have the eternal ages before you in which to continue your progressive attainment of the experience of becoming perfect, even as your Father in Paradise is perfect.”
1955 181:2.26 And then Jesus went over to Thomas, who, standing up, heard him say: “Thomas, you have often lacked faith; however, when you have had your seasons with doubt, you have never lacked courage. I know well that the false prophets and spurious teachers will not deceive you. After I have gone, your brethren will the more appreciate your critical way of viewing new teachings. And when you all are scattered to the ends of the earth in the times to come, remember that you are still my ambassador. Dedicate your life to the great work of showing how the critical material mind of man can triumph over the inertia of intellectual doubting when faced by the demonstration of the manifestation of living truth as it operates in the experience of spirit-born men and women who yield the fruits of the spirit in their lives, and who love one another, even as I have loved you. Thomas, I am glad you joined us, and I know, after a short period of perplexity, you will go on in the service of the kingdom. Your doubts have perplexed your brethren, but they have never troubled me. I have confidence in you, and I will go before you even to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
2015 181:2.26 之后耶稣朝多玛斯走去,他站起来听他说:“多玛斯,你经常缺乏信仰;然而,当你有过怀疑的时期时,你从未缺乏勇气。我清楚知道假先知和假导师将不会欺骗你。在我走之后,你的兄弟们将更为欣赏你看待新教导的批判方式。当你们在即将到来的时期中都被分散到世上各个角落时,记住你仍是我的使者。将你的一生致力于以下伟大工作中,即在面对鲜活真理之展示和显现时,展示人的批判性物质性心智何以能战胜智性怀疑的惰性,因为鲜活真理运作于由灵所生之男男女女的体验中,他们在其生活中产出属灵果实,他们爱彼此,正如我爱你们一样。多玛斯,我很高兴你加入了我们,我知道在一小段困惑时期之后,你将会在王国的服务中继续。你的怀疑令你的兄弟们困惑,不过它们从未令我烦恼。我对你有信心,我甚至会在你之前去到世上的最远部分。”[58][59][60]
1955 181:2.27 Then the Master went over to Simon Peter, who stood up as Jesus addressed him: “Peter, I know you love me, and that you will dedicate your life to the public proclamation of this gospel of the kingdom to Jew and gentile, but I am distressed that your years of such close association with me have not done more to help you think before you speak. What experience must you pass through before you will learn to set a guard upon your lips? How much trouble have you made for us by your thoughtless speaking, by your presumptuous self-confidence! And you are destined to make much more trouble for yourself if you do not master this frailty. You know that your brethren love you in spite of this weakness, and you should also understand that this shortcoming in no way impairs my affection for you, but it lessens your usefulness and never ceases to make trouble for you. But you will undoubtedly receive great help from the experience you will pass through this very night. And what I now say to you, Simon Peter, I likewise say to all your brethren here assembled: This night you will all be in great danger of stumbling over me. You know it is written, ‘The shepherd will be smitten and the sheep will be scattered abroad.’ When I am absent, there is great danger that some of you will succumb to doubts and stumble because of what befalls me. But I promise you now that I will come back to you for a little while, and that I will then go before you into Galilee.”
2015 181:2.27 之后主朝西蒙·彼得走去,他在耶稣向他致辞时站了起来:“彼得,我知道你爱我,你将会把你的毕生致力于向犹太人和外邦人公开宣扬这一王国福音,不过我苦恼的是,你这么多年与我的密切交往并未做更多来帮助你在你讲话之前思考。在你学会在你嘴唇上设立防护之前,你必须要经历怎样的体验啊?你因为你轻率的讲话,因为你冒昧的自信给我们造成了多少的麻烦啊!若你不掌控这一弱点,你注定会给你自己造成更多的麻烦。你知道,尽管你有这一弱点,你的兄弟们仍爱你,你也应该理解这一缺点决不会损害我对你的喜爱,不过它却减少了你的用处并不停给你造成麻烦。不过你将无疑从你今晚经历的体验中接受巨大帮助。我此时要对你说的,西蒙·彼得,我同样要对你所有聚集在这儿的兄弟们说:你们今晚都处于因我而跌倒的危险中。你们知道书中所写,‘牧羊人将会被击打,羊将会被分散到外面。’当我不在时,会有极大危险,你们中有些人会由于降临到我身上的事而屈从于怀疑并跌倒。不过我此时许诺你,我会回到你这儿一小会儿。我会在你之前进入加利利。”[61][62][63]
1955 181:2.29 As Peter stood there before his Master, all atremble with intense emotion and overflowing with genuine love for him, Jesus looked straight into his moistened eyes as he said: “Peter, verily, verily, I say to you, this night the cock will not crow until you have denied me three or four times. And thus what you have failed to learn from peaceful association with me, you will learn through much trouble and many sorrows. And after you have really learned this needful lesson, you should strengthen your brethren and go on living a life dedicated to preaching this gospel, though you may fall into prison and, perhaps, follow me in paying the supreme price of loving service in the building of the Father’s kingdom.
1955 181:2.30 “But remember my promise: When I am raised up, I will tarry with you for a season before I go to the Father. And even this night will I make supplication to the Father that he strengthen each of you for that which you must now so soon pass through. I love you all with the love wherewith the Father loves me, and therefore should you henceforth love one another, even as I have loved you.”
1955 181:2.31 And then, when they had sung a hymn, they departed for the camp on the Mount of Olives.