旧约 - 箴言(Proverbs)第31章

The sayings of King Lemuel--an oracle his mother taught him:
"O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
"It is not for kings, O Lemuel--not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish;
let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
箴言第卅一章   第 31 章 

  箴 31:1> 利慕伊勒是哪个国家的王? 

  31:1 我们对利慕伊勒所知不多,只知道他是一位君王,从他母亲得到智慧的教导。他的名字是“奉献给神”的意思。有些人认为,他和亚古珥都出于阿拉伯北部的玛撒国。 

  箴 31:4-7> 君王更不能喝酒,这对我们有什么提醒? 

  31:4-7 将亡之人藉醉酒消除极度的痛苦是可以理解的。但是对一国之君来说,醉酒则不可饶恕。酒能使人头脑昏迷,以致作出不公平的判断与错误的抉择。君王需处理国家大事,用酒来灌醉自己会祸国殃民。 %5 

  箴 31:10-31> 这位才德双全的妇人身上有哪些值得效法的品质? 

  31:10-31 箴言中有多处经文提及妇女,最后用对一位才德的妇人的描绘来结尾是极其恰当的。她有坚强的品格,高度的智慧,又多才多艺,且有丰富的同情怜悯之心。 

  有些人有一个错误观念,以为圣经中的理想妇人,都是藏身男人背后、百依百顺只管家务的人。事实并不是这样。箴言中的这位妇人既是超乎众人的贤妻良母,她又是一位制造商、进口商、经理、房产经纪、农夫、裁缝、室内装修者及商人,可以说是百艺精通的才女。不过她的长处和尊贵,并不是从她的奇妙成就而来,而是她敬畏神的结果。在现代社会中,人对于外貌极其注重,然而令我们惊讶的是,箴言中从来没有提到这位妇人的仪容,她的魅力是出于她的德行。 

  这一章所描述的这位贤德的妇人有惊人的能力。她的家庭有高尚的社会地位。然而实际上她可能不是一位妇人,而是集众多美德于一身的理想妇人的化身。不必仿效她所做的每一件事,因为你所处的环境与她并不相同。但不妨藉着她激励你追求理想。我们虽不能跟她完全一样,却可以学习她吃苦耐劳,品德正直,又足智多谋的优点。 

  箴 31:19> 31:19 捻线竿与纺线车是用手纺线的两种工具。 

  箴 31:31> 贯穿箴言的主线是什么?你发现它了吗? 

  31:31 箴言以吩咐人敬畏耶和华开始( 1:7 ),以描述一位成全这个命令的妇人作结束。她的特质其实也贯穿在整卷书中:勤奋工作,敬畏神,尊重配偶,有远见,鼓励他人,关心他人,眷顾穷人,善用金钱。这些特质与敬畏神相配合,就使人生有喜乐、有成就、有尊贵、有价值。箴言的教诲在我们的时代也非常适用。因为它告诉我们怎样成为智慧人,作有益的抉择去过合乎神心意的生活。──《灵修版圣经注释》