燈裏需要預備油 — 馬太福音讀經隨筆 第25章

馬太福音第二十五章耶穌接著他在第二十四章說的話給門徒們講了三個比喻。這三個比喻語重心長，因為過兩天逾越節耶穌就要被釘十字架了，這是對門徒們的叮嚀與囑咐。第一個比喻是第1—13節，耶穌告訴門徒們要各自早點兒給自己的“燈”預備“油”點上，隨時準備迎接主耶穌的再來。油在這裏比喻信心或者說耶穌的靈或者說聖靈，燈比喻聖靈所結的果子。我們不知道主什麽時候再來，耶穌說那日子，那時辰沒人知道。主來的時候如果像那些愚昧的童女一樣才去尋找和預備信心就晚了。因此，耶穌在這個比喻裏勸勉門徒們早點兒預備信心，早點兒結聖靈的果子像燈一樣照亮他人，也提著這盞燈隨時迎接主的再來。

太25:1 那時、天國好比十個童女、拿著燈、出去迎接新郎。
"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
太25:2 其中有五個是愚拙的．五個是聰明的。
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
太25:3 愚拙的拿著燈、卻不預備油．
Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
太25:4 聰明的拿著燈、又預備油在器皿裏。
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
太25:5 新郎遲延的時候、他們都打盹睡著了。
Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
太25:6 半夜有人喊著說、新郎來了、你們出來迎接他。
But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'
太25:7 那些童女就都起來收拾燈。
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
太25:8 愚拙的對聰明的說、請分點油給我們．因為我們的燈要滅了。
The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
太25:9 聰明的回答說、恐怕不夠你我用的．不如你們自己到賣油的那裏去買吧。
But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
太25:10 他們去買的時候、新郎到了．那預備好了的、同他進去坐席．門就關了。
While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
太25:11 其餘的童女、隨後也來了、說、主阿、主阿、給我們開門。
Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'
太25:12 他卻回答說、我實在告訴你們、我不認識你們。
But he answered, 'Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you.'
太25:13 所以你們要儆醒、因為那日子、那時辰、你們不知道。
Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
加5:22 聖靈所結的果子、就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
加5:23 溫柔、節製．這樣的事、沒有律法禁止。
gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law