有新版本可用
Esther
A Jewish queen averts a planned massacre in the Persian court
A novella set in the Persian court of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). The Jewish queen Esther, aided by her cousin Mordecai, foils the genocidal plot of the vizier Haman against the Jewish population of the empire. The story provides the foundation narrative for the festival of Purim.
1
亞哈隨魯作王、從印度直到古實統管一百二十七省．
Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces),
2
亞哈隨魯王在書珊城的宮登基、
in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
3
在位第三年、爲他一切首領臣僕設擺筵席．有波斯和瑪代的權貴、就是各省的貴胄與首領、在他面前．
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him.
4
他把他榮耀之國的豐富、和他美好威嚴的尊貴、給他們看了許多日、就是一百八十日。
He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.
5
這日子滿了、又爲所有住書珊城的大小人民、在御園的院子裏設擺筵席七日．
When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.
6
有白色、綠色、藍色的帳子、用細麻繩紫色繩從銀環內繫在白玉石柱上、有金銀的牀榻、擺在紅白黃黑玉石鋪的石地上．
There were hangings of white, green, and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.
7
用金器皿賜酒、器皿各有不同、御酒甚多、足顯王的厚意．
They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.
8
喝酒有例、不准勉強人、因王吩咐宮裏的一切臣宰、讓人各隨己意。
In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
9
王后瓦實提在亞哈隨魯王的宮內、也爲婦女設擺筵席。
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
10
第七日、亞哈隨魯王飲酒心中快樂、就吩咐在他面前侍立的七個太監米戶幔、比斯他、哈波拿、比革他、亞拔他、西達、甲迦、
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11
請王后瓦實提頭戴王后的冠冕到王面前、使各等臣民看他的美貌、因爲他容貌甚美．
to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.
12
王后瓦實提卻不肯遵太監所傳的王命而來、所以王甚發怒、心如火燒。
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.
13
那時、在王左右常見王面、國中坐高位的、有波斯和瑪代的七個大臣、就是甲示拿、示達、押瑪他、他施斯、米力、瑪西拿、米母干、都是達時務的明哲人．按王的常規、辦事必先詢問知例明法的人．王問他們說、
Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;
14
那時、在王左右常見王面、國中坐高位的、有波斯和瑪代的七個大臣、就是甲示拿、示達、押瑪他、他施斯、米力、瑪西拿、米母干、都是達時務的明哲人．按王的常規、辦事必先詢問知例明法的人．王問他們說、
and the next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom),
15
王后瓦實提不遵太監所傳的王命、照例應當怎樣辦理呢．
“What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?”
16
米母干在王和衆首領面前回答說、王后瓦實提、這事不但得罪王、並且有害於王各省的臣民．
Memucan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.
17
因爲王后這事必傳到衆婦人的耳中、說、亞哈隨魯王吩咐王后瓦實提到王面前、他卻不來、他們就藐視自己的丈夫．
For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands, when it is reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she didn’t come.’
18
今日波斯和瑪代的衆夫人聽見王后這事、必向王的大臣照樣行．從此必大開藐視和忿怒之端。
Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s deed will tell all the king’s princes. This will cause much contempt and wrath.
19
王若以爲美、就降旨寫在波斯和瑪代人的例中、永不更改、不准瓦實提再到王面前、將他王后的位分賜給比他還好的人．
“If it pleases the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she.
20
所降的旨意傳遍通國、（國度本來廣大）所有的婦人、無論丈夫貴賤都必尊敬他。
When the king’s decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small.”
21
王和衆首領都以米母干的話爲美、王就照這話去行、
This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
22
發詔書、用各省的文字、各族的方言、通知各省、使爲丈夫的在家中作主、各說本地的方言。
for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people.
1
這事以後、亞哈隨魯王的忿怒止息、就想念瓦實提和他所行的、並怎樣降旨辦他。
After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
2
於是王的侍臣對王說、不如爲王尋找美貌的處女．
Then the king’s servants who served him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.
3
王可以派官在國中的各省招聚美貌的處女到書珊城〈或作宮〉的女院、交給掌管女子的太監希該、給他們當用的香品．
Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the women’s house, to the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them;
4
王所喜愛的女子、可以立爲王后、代替瓦實提．王以這事爲美、就如此行。
and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” The thing pleased the king, and he did so.
5
書珊城有一個猶大人、名叫末底改、是便雅憫人基士的曾孫、示每的孫子、睚珥的兒子．
There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
6
從前巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒將猶大王耶哥尼雅〈又名約雅斤〉和百姓從耶路撒冷擄去、末底改也在其內。
who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7
末底改撫養他叔叔的女兒哈大沙、（後名以斯帖）、因爲他沒有父母．這女子又容貌俊美、他父母死了、末底改就收他爲自己的女兒。
He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
8
王的諭旨傳出、就招聚許多女子到書珊城、交給掌管女子的希該、以斯帖也送入王宮、交付希該．
So, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9
希該喜悅以斯帖、就恩待他、急忙給他需用的香品、和他所當得的分、又派所當得的七個宮女服事他、使他和他的宮女搬入女院上好的房屋。
The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king’s house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women’s house.
10
以斯帖未曾將籍貫宗族告訴人、因爲末底改囑咐他不可叫人知道。
Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.
11
末底改天天在女院前邊行走、要知道以斯帖平安不平安、並後事如何。
Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was doing, and what would become of her.
12
衆女子照例先潔淨身體十二個月、六個月用沒藥油、六個月用香料和潔身之物、滿了日期、然後挨次進去見亞哈隨魯王．
Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women).
13
女子進去見王是這樣、從女院到王宮的時候、凡他所要的、都必給他．
The young woman then came to the king like this: whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the women’s house to the king’s house.
14
晚上進去、次日回到女子第二院、交給掌管妃嬪的太監沙甲．除非王喜愛他、再題名召他、就不再進去見王。
In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
15
末底改叔叔亞比孩的女兒、就是末底改收爲自己女兒的以斯帖、按次序當進去見王的時候、除了掌管女子的太監希該所派定給他的、他別無所求．凡看見以斯帖的都喜悅他。
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
16
亞哈隨魯王第七年十月、就是提別月、以斯帖被引入宮見王．
So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17
王愛以斯帖過於愛衆女、他在王眼前蒙寵愛比衆處女更甚．王就把王后的冠冕戴在他頭上、立他爲王后、代替瓦實提．
The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18
王因以斯帖的緣故給衆首領和臣僕設擺大筵席、又豁免各省的租稅、並照王的厚意大頒賞賜。
Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts according to the king’s bounty.
19
第二次招聚處女的時候、末底改坐在朝門。
When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate.
20
以斯帖照着末底改所囑咐的還沒有將籍貫宗族告訴人．因爲以斯帖遵末底改的命、如撫養他的時候一樣。
Esther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him.
21
當那時候、末底改坐在朝門、王的太監中有兩個守門的辟探和提列惱恨亞哈隨魯王、想要下手害他．
In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.
22
末底改知道了、就告訴王后以斯帖．以斯帖奉末底改的名、報告於王．
This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.
23
究察這事、果然是實、就把二人掛在木頭上、將這事在王面前寫於歷史上。
When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the king’s presence.
1
這事以後、亞哈隨魯王抬舉亞甲族哈米大他的兒子哈曼、使他高升、叫他的爵位超過與他同事的一切臣宰。
After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.
2
在朝門的一切臣僕、都跪拜哈曼、因爲王如此吩咐．惟獨末底改不跪不拜．
All the king’s servants who were in the king’s gate bowed down, and paid homage to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai didn’t bow down or pay him homage.
3
在朝門的臣僕問末底改說、你爲何違背王的命令呢．
Then the king’s servants, who were in the king’s gate, said to Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s commandment?”
4
他們天天勸他、他還是不聽、他們就告訴哈曼、要看末底改的事站得住站不住、因他已經告訴他們自己是猶大人．
Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he didn’t listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5
哈曼見末底改不跪不拜、他就怒氣填胸．
When Haman saw that Mordecai didn’t bow down, nor pay him homage, Haman was full of wrath.
6
他們已將末底改的本族告訴哈曼、他以爲下手害末底改一人是小事、就要滅絕亞哈隨魯王通國所有的猶大人、就是末底改的本族。
But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai’s people. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even Mordecai’s people.
7
亞哈隨魯王十二年正月、就是尼散月、人在哈曼面前、按日日月月掣普珥、就是掣籤、要定何月何日爲吉、擇定了十二月、就是亞達月。
In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, and chose the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
8
哈曼對亞哈隨魯王說、有一種民、散居在王國各省的民中、他們的律例、與萬民的律例不同、也不守王的律例、所以容留他們與王無益．
Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different than other people’s. They don’t keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not for the king’s profit to allow them to remain.
9
王若以爲美、請下旨意滅絕他們．我就捐一萬他連得銀子、交給掌管國帑的人、納入王的府庫．
If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king’s business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.”
10
於是王從自己手上摘下戒指、給猶大人的仇敵、亞甲族哈米大他的兒子哈曼．
The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
11
王對哈曼說、這銀子仍賜給你、這民也交給你、你可以隨意待他們。
The king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.”
12
正月十三日就召了王的書記來、照着哈曼一切所吩咐的、用各省的文字、各族的方言、奉亞哈隨魯王的名寫旨意、傳與總督和各省的省長、並各族的首領、又用王的戒指蓋印．
Then the king’s scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month; and all that Haman commanded was written to the king’s satraps, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the king’s ring.
13
交給驛卒傳到王的各省、吩咐將猶大人、無論老少婦女孩子、在一日之間、十二月、就是亞達月十三日、全然剪除、殺戮滅絕、並奪他們的財爲掠物．
Letters were sent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder their possessions.
14
抄錄這旨意、頒行各省、宣告各族、使他們豫備等候那日．
A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.
15
驛卒奉王命急忙起行、旨意也傳遍書珊城。王同哈曼坐下飲酒．書珊城的民卻都慌亂。
The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
1
末底改知道所作的這一切事、就撕裂衣服、穿麻衣、蒙灰塵、在城中行走、痛哭哀號．
Now when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, and wailed loudly and bitterly.
2
到了朝門前停住腳步．因爲穿麻衣的不可進朝門。
He came even before the king’s gate, for no one is allowed inside the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
3
王的諭旨所到的各省各處、猶大人大大悲哀、禁食哭泣哀號．穿麻衣躺在灰中的甚多。
In every province, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4
王后以斯帖的宮女和太監來把這事告訴以斯帖、他甚是憂愁．就送衣服給末底改穿、要他脫下麻衣、他卻不受。
Esther’s maidens and her eunuchs came and told her this, and the queen was exceedingly grieved. She sent clothing to Mordecai, to replace his sackcloth; but he didn’t receive it.
5
以斯帖就把王所派伺候他的一個太監、名叫哈他革召來、吩咐他去見末底改、要知道這是甚麼事、是甚麼緣故．
Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, whom he had appointed to attend her, and commanded him to go to Mordecai, to find out what this was, and why it was.
6
於是哈他革出到朝門前的寬闊處見末底改．
So Hathach went out to Mordecai, to city square which was before the king’s gate.
7
末底改將自己所遇的事、並哈曼爲滅絕猶大人應許捐入王庫的銀數、都告訴了他．
Mordecai told him of all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews.
8
又將所抄寫傳遍書珊城要滅絕猶大人的旨意交給哈他革、要給以斯帖看、又要給他說明、並囑咐他進去見王、爲本族的人、在王面前懇切祈求。
He also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to urge her to go in to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him, for her people.
9
哈他革回來、將末底改的話告訴以斯帖．
Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
10
以斯帖就吩咐哈他革去見末底改說、
Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a message to Mordecai:
11
王的一切臣僕、和各省的人民、都知道有一個定例、若不蒙召、擅入內院見王的、無論男女必被治死．除非王向他伸出金杖、不得存活．現在我沒有蒙召進去見王已經三十日了。
“All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, know, that whoever, whether man or woman, comes to the king into the inner court without being called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except those to whom the king might hold out the golden scepter, that he may live. I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
12
人就把以斯帖這話告訴末底改。
They told to Mordecai Esther’s words.
13
末底改託人回覆以斯帖說、你莫想在王宮裏強過一切猶大人、得免這禍．
Then Mordecai asked them to return this answer to Esther: “Don’t think to yourself that you will escape in the king’s house any more than all the Jews.
14
此時你若閉口不言、猶大人必從別處得解脫、蒙拯救、你和你父家、必致滅亡．焉知你得了王后的位分、不是爲現今的機會麼。
For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
15
以斯帖就吩咐人回報末底改說、
Then Esther asked them to answer Mordecai,
16
你當去招聚書珊城所有的猶大人、爲我禁食三晝三夜、不喫不喝．我和我的宮女、也要這樣禁食．然後我違例進去見王．我若死就死罷。
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.”
17
於是末底改照以斯帖一切所吩咐的去行。
So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
1
第三日、以斯帖穿上朝服、進王宮的內院、對殿站立．王在殿裏坐在寶座上、對着殿門．
Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, next to the king’s house. The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the entrance of the house.
2
王見王后以斯帖站在院內、就施恩於他、向他伸出手中的金杖．以斯帖便向前摸杖頭。
When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter.
3
王對他說、王后以斯帖阿、你要甚麼、你求甚麼．就是國的一半、也必賜給你。
Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.”
4
以斯帖說、王若以爲美、就請王帶着哈曼今日赴我所豫備的筵席。
Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
5
王說、叫哈曼速速照以斯帖的話去行．於是王帶着哈曼赴以斯帖所豫備的筵席．
Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6
在酒席筵前、王又問以斯帖說、你要甚麼、我必賜給你、你求甚麼、就是國的一半、也必爲你成就。
The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”
7
以斯帖回答說、我有所要、我有所求、
Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this.
8
我若在王眼前蒙恩、王若願意賜我所要的、准我所求的、就請王帶着哈曼再赴我所要豫備的筵席．明日我必照王所問的說明。
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.”
9
那日哈曼心中快樂、歡歡喜喜的出來．但見末底改在朝門不站起來、連身也不動、就滿心惱怒末底改．
Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.
10
哈曼暫且忍耐回家、叫人請他朋友和他妻子細利斯來。
Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.
11
哈曼將他富厚的榮耀、衆多的兒女、和王抬舉他使他超乎首領臣僕之上、都述說給他們聽。
Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
12
哈曼又說、王后以斯帖豫備筵席、除了我之外不許別人隨王赴席．明日王后又請我隨王赴席．
Haman also said, “Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow I am also invited by her together with the king.
13
只是我見猶大人末底改坐在朝門、雖有這一切榮耀、也與我無益。
Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
14
他的妻細利斯和他一切的朋友對他說、不如立一個五丈高的木架、明早求王將末底改掛在其上、然後你可以歡歡喜喜的隨王赴席．哈曼以這話爲美、就叫人作了木架。
Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.
1
那夜王睡不着覺、就吩咐人取歷史來、念給他聽。
On that night, the king couldn’t sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king.
2
正遇見書上寫着說、王的太監中有兩個守門的辟探和提列想要下手害亞哈隨魯王．末底改將這事告訴王后。
It was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who were doorkeepers, who had tried to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.
3
王說、末底改行了這事、賜他甚麼尊榮爵位沒有．伺候王的臣僕回答說、沒有賜他甚麼。
The king said, “What honor and dignity has been given to Mordecai for this?”
Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”
4
王說、誰在院子裏．（那時哈曼正進王宮的外院、要求王將末底改掛在他所豫備的木架上）
The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had come into the outer court of the king’s house, to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
5
臣僕說、哈曼站在院內．王說、叫他進來。
The king’s servants said to him, “Behold, Haman stands in the court.”
The king said, “Let him come in.”
6
哈曼就進去．王問他說、王所喜悅尊榮的人、當如何待他呢．哈曼心裏說、王所喜悅尊榮的不是我是誰呢。
So Haman came in. The king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?”
Now Haman said in his heart, “Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?”
7
哈曼就回答說、王所喜悅尊榮的人、
Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor,
8
當將王常穿的朝服、和戴冠的御馬、
let royal clothing be brought which the king uses to wear, and the horse that the king rides on, and on the head of which a crown royal is set.
9
都交給王極尊貴的一個大臣、命他將衣服給王所喜悅尊榮的人穿上、使他騎上馬走遍城裏的街市、在他面前宣告說、王所喜悅尊榮的人、就如此待他。
Let the clothing and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man whom the king delights to honor with them, and have him ride on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’”
10
王對哈曼說、你速速將這衣服和馬、照你所說的、向坐在朝門的猶大人末底改去行、凡你所說的、一樣不可缺。
Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry and take the clothing and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Let nothing fail of all that you have spoken.”
11
於是哈曼將朝服給末底改穿上、使他騎上馬走遍城裏的街市、在他面前宣告說、王所喜悅尊榮的人、就如此待他。
Then Haman took the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and had him ride through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!”
12
末底改仍回到朝門．哈曼卻憂憂悶悶的蒙着頭、急忙回家去了．
Mordecai came back to the king’s gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and having his head covered.
13
將所遇的一切事、詳細說給他的妻細利斯和他的衆朋友聽．他的智慧人和他的妻細利斯對他說、你在末底改面前始而敗落、他如果是猶大人、你必不能勝他、終必在他面前敗落。
Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.”
14
他們還與哈曼說話的時候、王的太監來催哈曼快去赴以斯帖所豫備的筵席。
While they were yet talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
1
王帶着哈曼來赴王后以斯帖的筵席．
So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
2
這第二次在酒席筵前、王又問以斯帖說、王后以斯帖阿、你要甚麼、我必賜給你、你求甚麼、就是國的一半、也必爲你成就。
The king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition, queen Esther? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”
3
王后以斯帖回答說、我若在王眼前蒙恩、王若以爲美、我所願的、是願王將我的性命賜給我、我所求的、是求王將我的本族賜給我．
Then Esther the queen answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.
4
因我和我的本族被賣了、要剪除殺戮滅絕我們．我們若被賣爲奴爲婢、我也閉口不言、但王的損失、敵人萬不能補足。
For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for male and female slaves, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king’s loss.”
5
亞哈隨魯王問王后以斯帖說、擅敢起意如此行的是誰、這人在哪裏呢。
Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, “Who is he, and where is he who dared presume in his heart to do so?”
6
以斯帖說、仇人敵人就是這惡人哈曼．哈曼在王和王后面前就甚驚惶。
Esther said, “An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman!”
Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
7
王便大怒、起來離開酒席往御園去了．哈曼見王定意要加罪與他、就起來、求王后以斯帖救命。
The king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden. Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
8
王從御園回到酒席之處、見哈曼伏在以斯帖所靠的榻上．王說、他竟敢在宮內、在我面前、凌辱王后麼．這話一出王口、人就蒙了哈曼的臉。
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in front of me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
9
伺候王的一個太監、名叫哈波拿、說、哈曼爲那救王有功的末底改、作了五丈高的木架、現今立在哈曼家裏．王說、把哈曼掛在其上。
Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king said, “Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, is standing at Haman’s house.”
The king said, “Hang him on it!”
10
於是人將哈曼掛在他爲末底改所豫備的木架上．王的忿怒這纔止息。
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
1
當日亞哈隨魯王把猶大人仇敵哈曼的家產賜給王后以斯帖。末底改也來到王面前、因爲以斯帖已經告訴王末底改是他的親屬。
On that day, King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the Jews’ enemy, to Esther the queen. Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was to her.
2
王摘下自己的戒指、就是從哈曼追回的、給了末底改．以斯帖派末底改管理哈曼的家產。
The king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
3
以斯帖又俯伏在王腳前、流淚哀告、求他除掉亞甲族哈曼害猶大人的惡謀。
Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and begged him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his plan that he had planned against the Jews.
4
王向以斯帖伸出金杖．以斯帖就起來、站在王前、
Then the king held out to Esther the golden scepter. So Esther arose, and stood before the king.
5
說、亞甲族哈米大他的兒子哈曼、設謀傳旨、要殺滅在王各省的猶大人．現今王若願意、我若在王眼前蒙恩、王若以爲美、若喜悅我、請王另下旨意廢除哈曼所傳的那旨意。
She said, “If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right to the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces.
6
我何忍見我本族的人受害、何忍見我同宗的人被滅呢。
For how can I endure to see the evil that would come to my people? How can I endure to see the destruction of my relatives?”
7
亞哈隨魯王對王后以斯帖和猶大人末底改說、因哈曼要下手害猶大人、我已將他的家產賜給以斯帖、人也將哈曼掛在木架上。
Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, “See, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged on the gallows, because he laid his hand on the Jews.
8
現在你們可以隨意奉王的名寫諭旨給猶大人、用王的戒指蓋印．因爲奉王名所寫用王戒指蓋印的諭旨、人都不能廢除。
Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may not be reversed by any man.”
9
三月、就是西彎月、二十三日、將王的書記召來、按着末底改所吩咐的用各省的文字、各族的方言、並猶大人的文字方言寫諭旨、傳給那從印度直到古實一百二十七省的猶大人、和總督省長首領。
Then the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing, and in their language.
10
末底改奉亞哈隨魯王的名寫諭旨、用王的戒指蓋印、交給騎御馬圈快馬的驛卒傳到各處。
He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by courier on horseback, riding on royal horses that were bred from swift steeds.
11
諭旨中王准各省各城的猶大人在一日之間、十二月、就是亞達月、十三日、聚集保護性命、剪除殺戮滅絕那要攻擊猶大人的一切仇敵、和他們的妻子兒女、奪取他們的財爲掠物。
In those letters, the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together, and to defend their life, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to plunder their possessions,
12
諭旨中王准各省各城的猶大人在一日之間、十二月、就是亞達月、十三日、聚集保護性命、剪除殺戮滅絕那要攻擊猶大人的一切仇敵、和他們的妻子兒女、奪取他們的財爲掠物。
on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
13
抄錄這諭旨、頒行各省、宣告各族、使猶大人豫備等候那日、在仇敵身上報仇。
A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that the Jews should be ready for that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
14
於是騎快馬的驛卒、被王命催促、急忙起行．諭旨也傳遍書珊城。
So the couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. The decree was given out in the citadel of Susa.
15
末底改穿着藍色白色的朝服、頭戴大金冠冕、又穿紫色細麻布的外袍、從王面前出來．書珊城的人民、都歡呼快樂。
Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and was glad.
16
猶大人有光榮歡喜快樂而得尊貴。
The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor.
17
王的諭旨所到的各省各城、猶大人都歡喜快樂、設擺筵宴、以那日爲吉日。那國的人民、有許多因懼怕猶大人、就入了猶大籍。
In every province, and in every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast, and a good day. Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen on them.
1
十二月、乃亞達月、十三日、王的諭旨將要舉行、就是猶大人的仇敵盼望轄制他們的日子、猶大人反倒轄制恨他們的人．
Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the month, when the king’s commandment and his decree came near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to conquer them, (but it was turned out the opposite happened, that the Jews conquered those who hated them),
2
猶大人在亞哈隨魯王各省的城裏聚集、下手擊殺那要害他們的人．無人能敵擋他們、因爲各族都懼怕他們。
the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus, to lay hands on those who wanted to harm them. No one could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen on all the people.
3
各省的首領總督省長和辦理王事的人、因懼怕末底改、就都幫助猶大人。
All the princes of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and those who did the king’s business helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them.
4
末底改在朝中爲大、名聲傳遍各省、日漸昌盛。
For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater.
5
猶大人用刀擊殺一切仇敵、任意殺滅恨他們的人．
The Jews struck all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they wanted to those who hated them.
6
在書珊城、猶大人殺滅了五百人．
In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.
7
又殺巴珊大他、達分、亞斯帕他、
They killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,
8
破拉他、亞大利雅、亞利大他、
Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,
9
帕瑪斯他、亞利賽、亞利代、瓦耶撒他．
Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha,
10
這十人都是哈米大他的孫子、猶大人仇敵哈曼的兒子．猶大人卻沒有下手奪取財物。
the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews’ enemy, but they didn’t lay their hand on the plunder.
11
當日將書珊城被殺的人數、呈在王前．
On that day, the number of those who were slain in the citadel of Susa was brought before the king.
12
王對王后以斯帖說、猶大人在書珊城殺滅了五百人、又殺了哈曼的十個兒子．在王的各省不知如何呢．現在你要甚麼、我必賜給你、你還求甚麼、也必爲你成就。
The king said to Esther the queen, “The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in the citadel of Susa, including the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your further request? It shall be done.”
13
以斯帖說、王若以爲美、求你准書珊的猶大人、明日也照今日的旨意行、並將哈曼十個兒子的屍首、掛在木架上。
Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according to today’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows.”
14
王便允准如此行．旨意傳在書珊．人就把哈曼十個兒子的屍首掛起來了。
The king commanded this to be done. A decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.
15
亞達月十四日、書珊的猶大人又聚集在書珊、殺了三百人．卻沒有下手奪取財物。
The Jews who were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and killed three hundred men in Shushan; but they didn’t lay their hand on the plunder.
16
在王各省其餘的猶大人也都聚集保護性命、殺了恨他們的人七萬五千．卻沒有下手奪取財物．這樣、就脫離仇敵、得享平安。
The other Jews who were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, defended their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them; but they didn’t lay their hand on the plunder.
17
亞達月十三日、行了這事．十四日安息、以這日爲設筵歡樂的日子．
This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of that month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
18
但書珊的猶大人這十三日十四日聚集殺戮仇敵．十五日安息、以這日爲設筵歡樂的日子．
But the Jews who were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth and on the fourteenth days of the month; and on the fifteenth day of that month, they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
19
所以住無城牆鄉村的猶大人、如今都以亞達月十四日爲設筵歡樂的吉日、彼此餽送禮物。
Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a good day, and a day of sending presents of food to one another.
20
末底改記錄這事、寫信與亞哈隨魯王各省遠近所有的猶大人、
Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far,
21
囑咐他們每年守亞達月十四十五兩日、
to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar yearly,
22
以這月的兩日、爲猶大人脫離仇敵得平安、轉憂爲喜、轉悲爲樂的吉日．在這兩日設筵歡樂、彼此餽送禮物、賙濟窮人。
as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy.
23
於是猶大人、按着末底改所寫與他們的信、應承照初次所守的守爲永例。
The Jews accepted the custom that they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them;
24
是因猶大人的仇敵、亞甲族哈米大他的兒子哈曼、設謀殺害猶大人、掣普珥、就是掣籤、爲要殺盡滅絕他們。
because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast “Pur”, that is the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
25
這事報告於王、王便降旨使哈曼謀害猶大人的惡事、歸到他自己的頭上、並吩咐把他和他的衆子、都掛在木架上。
but when this became known to the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked plan, which he had planned against the Jews, should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
26
照着普珥的名字、猶大人就稱這兩日爲普珥日．他們因這信上的話、又因所看見所遇見的事、
Therefore they called these days “Purim”, from the word “Pur.” Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come to them,
27
就應承自己與後裔、並歸附他們的人、每年按時必守這兩日、永遠不廢。
the Jews established, and imposed on themselves, and on their descendants, and on all those who joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to what was written, and according to its appointed time, every year;
28
各省各城、家家戶戶、世世代代、記念遵守這兩日、使這普珥日在猶大人中不可廢掉．在他們後裔中也不可忘記。
and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor their memory perish from their offspring,
29
亞比孩的女兒王后以斯帖和猶大人末底改以全權寫第二封信、堅囑猶大人守這普珥日．
Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.
30
用和平誠實話、寫信給亞哈隨魯王國中一百二十七省所有的猶大人、
He sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
31
勸他們按時守這普珥日、禁食呼求、是照猶大人末底改和王后以斯帖所囑咐的、也照猶大人爲自己與後裔所應承的。
to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had decreed, and as they had imposed upon themselves and their descendants, in the matter of the fastings and their cry.
32
以斯帖命定守普珥日．這事也記錄在書上。
The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
1
亞哈隨魯王使旱地和海島的人民都進貢。
King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land, and on the islands of the sea.
2
他以權柄能力所行的、並他抬舉末底改使他高升的事、豈不都寫在瑪代和波斯王的歷史上麼。
All the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
3
猶大人末底改作亞哈隨魯王的宰相、在猶大人中爲大、得他衆弟兄的喜悅、爲本族的人求好處、向他們說和平的話。
For Mordecai the Jew was next to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people, and speaking peace to all his descendants.