作什麽善事才能得永生 — 馬太福音讀經隨筆 第19章

馬太福音第十九章第16—26節，一個年輕的財主來見耶穌，問“該作甚麽善事才能得永生？” 這是個愚昧的財主自以為有智慧，他愚妄的認為做善事可得永生，而不明白罪人做的一切事在神眼中都是惡的，因此耶穌就用箴言書的26：5“照愚昧人的愚妄話回答他”：你想通過做善事進天國，好，你首先遵守了誡命沒有啊？財主愚妄的回答從小就都遵守了。那好，接下來把你所有的財產都分給窮人怎麽樣啊？這下戳到了財主的痛處，他就憂憂愁愁地離開了耶穌。耶穌在第26節說的意思是人靠做善事進天國是不可能的，但神賜下了救世主讓萬事包括進天國都成為可能，因為信耶穌得永生。（摘自美食家楊威牧師的講道）
太19:16 有一個人來見耶穌說、夫子、〔有古卷作良善的夫子〕我該作甚麽善事、才能得永生。
Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
太19:17 耶穌對他說、你為甚麽以善事問我呢、隻有一位是善的、〔有古卷作你為甚麽稱我是良善的除了 神以外沒有一個良善的〕你若要進入永生、就當遵守誡命。
He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
太19:18 他說、甚麽誡命．耶穌說、就是不可殺人、不可奸淫、不可偷盜、不可作假見證、
He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.'
太19:19 當孝敬父母．又當愛人如己。
'Honor your father and mother.' And, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
太19:20 那少年人說、這一切我都遵守了．還缺少甚麽呢。
The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"
太19:21 耶穌說、你若願意作完全人、可去變賣你所有的、分給窮人、就必有財寶在天上、你還要來跟從我。
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
太19:22 那少年人聽見這話、就憂憂愁愁的走了．因為他的產業很多。
But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
太19:23 耶穌對門徒說、我實在告訴你們、財主進天國是難的。
Jesus said to his disciples, "Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.
太19:24 我又告訴你們、駱駝穿過針的眼、比財主進 神的國還容易呢。
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."
太19:25 門徒聽見這話、就希奇得很、說、這樣誰能得救呢。
When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
太19:26 耶穌看著他們說、在人這是不能的．在 神凡事都能。
Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
箴26:5 要照愚昧人的愚妄話回答他、免得他自以為有智慧。
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.