1 後來摩西亞倫去對法老說、耶和華以色列的 神這樣說、容我的百姓去、在曠野向我守節。
Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.'" |
2 法老說、耶和華是誰、使我聽他的話、容以色列人去呢、我不認識耶和華、也不容以色列人去。
Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go." |
3 他們說、希伯來人的 神遇見了我們、求你容我們往曠野去、走三天的路程、祭祀耶和華我們的 神、免得他用瘟疫、刀兵、攻擊我們。
Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword." |
4 埃及王對他們說、摩西亞倫你們為甚麼叫百姓曠工呢.你們去擔你們的擔子罷。
But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!" |
5 又說、看哪、這地的以色列人、如今眾多、你們竟叫他們歇下擔子。
Then Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working." |
6 當天法老吩咐督工的和官長說、
That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and foremen in charge of the people: |
7 你們不可照常把草給百姓作磚、叫他們自己去撿草。
"You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. |
8 他們素常作磚的數目、你們仍舊向他們要、一點不可減少、因為他們是懶惰的、所以呼求說、容我們去祭祀我們的 神。
But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' |
9 你們要把更重的工夫加在這些人身上、叫他們勞碌、不聽虛謊的言語。
Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies." |
10 督工的和官長出來對百姓說、法老這樣說、我不給你們草.
Then the slave drivers and the foremen went out and said to the people, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will not give you any more straw. |
11 你們自己在那裡能找草、就往那裡去找罷、但你們的工一點不可減少。
Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.'" |
12 於是百姓散在埃及遍地、撿碎秸當作草。
So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. |
13 督工的催著說、你們一天當完一天的工、與先前有草一樣。
The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw." |
14 法老督工的責打他所派以色列人的官長說、你們昨天今天為甚麼沒有照向來的數目作磚、完你們的工作呢。
The Israelite foremen appointed by Pharaoh's slave drivers were beaten and were asked, "Why didn't you meet your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?" |
15 以色列人的官長就來哀求法老說、為甚麼這樣待你的僕人.
Then the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: "Why have you treated your servants this way? |
16 督工的不把草給僕人、並且對我們說、作磚罷.看哪、你僕人挨了打、其實是你百姓的錯。
Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people." |
17 但法老說、你們是懶惰的、你們是懶惰的、所以說、容我們去祭祀耶和華。
Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are--lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' |
18 現在你們去作工罷、草是不給你們的、磚卻要如數交納。
Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks." |
19 以色列人的官長聽說、你們每天作磚的工作一點不可減少、就知道是遭遇禍患了。
The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." |
20 他們離了法老出來、正遇見摩西亞倫站在對面、
When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, |
21 就向他們說、願耶和華鑒察你們、施行判斷、因你們使我們在法老和他臣僕面前有了臭名、把刀遞在他們手中殺我們。
and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." |
22 摩西回到耶和華那裡說、主阿、你為甚麼苦待這百姓呢、為甚麼打發我去呢、
Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? |
23 自從我去見法老奉你的名說話、他就苦待這百姓、你一點也沒有拯救他們。
Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all." |