서론
Jeremiah 6 Introduction
英文原文
Jeremiah proceeds to unveil the judgment impending upon Jerusalem, and his description of it is divided into five parts, each beginning with the words "Thus saith Jehovah."
1
Jeremiah 6:1
耶利米向便雅憫人說話，或因他們本是他的同族支派，或因這名稱恰適合耶路撒冷的居民——耶路撒冷也位於便雅憫支派境內。
「要逃出耶路撒冷」——意即收拾你們的財物，遷往安全之地。
「在提哥亞吹角」——「提哥亞」這名字與「吹」的動詞幾乎同音；但選用它並非只為雙關的音韻，而是因為它是猶大最後一座城（位於耶路撒冷以南約十一英里），正處於曠野的邊緣，逃難者必在那裏歇脚。
「號旗」——更確切地說，是一種信號。
「伯哈基琳」——或作「葡萄園之家」，位於耶路撒冷與提哥亞之間的中途。
「張望」——意即「俯身向前」；正急切地探身向前，要攫取獵物。
英文原文
Jeremiah addresses the men of Benjamin, either as being his own tribesmen, or as a name appropriate to the people of Jerusalem, which also was situate in the tribe of Benjamin.
Gather yourselves to flee - Gather your goods together to remove them to a place of safety.
Blow the trumpet in Tekoa - The name of Tekoa is almost identical with the verb "to blow": but it was not chosen merely for the alliteration, but because it was the last town in Judaea (about 11 miles south of Jerusalem), upon the very border of the desert, where the fugitives would halt.
A sign - Rather, a signal.
Beth-haccerem - Or, the "Vineyard-House," which was situated halfway between Jerusalem and Tekoa.
Appeareth - "Is bending over;" is bending forward in eagerness to seize its prey.
2
Jeremiah 6:2
整節經文含義難明，但大概應譯作：「我已將錫安的女兒比作草場，且是豐美繁茂的草場」（或作：「我已使她寂然無聲」，意即使之毀滅）。
英文原文
The whole verse is difficult, but should probably be translated; "to a pasturage, yea a luxuriant pasturage, have I likened (or, have reduced to silence, i. e., destroyed) the daughter of Zion."
3
Jeremiah 6:3
「到她那裏，必有『牧人帶著他們的羊群』來到：
他們已在他周圍『支搭帳棚』：
他們各在自己的『手』——即『一邊』——放牧。
牧草如此豐盛，以致各人都在自己帳棚的旁邊餵養自己的羊群——意即擄掠耶路撒冷。」
英文原文
To it shall come "shepherds with their flocks:"
They have pitched upon it "their tents round about:"
They have pastured each his hand, "i. e., side."
The pasture is so abundant that each feeds his flock, i. e., plunders Jerusalem, at the side of his own tent.
4
Jeremiah 6:4
「你們要準備攻擊她」——更宜譯作「要將戰爭分別為聖，攻擊她」。古時作戰，從未有不安行宗教儀式就出兵的（見 Deuteronomy 20:2 註）。其中一些儀式，可參 Ezekiel 21:21-23。
「趁午時」——東方的正午酷熱難當，人們通常在蔭庇下歇息（2 Samuel 4:5；Sol 1:7）。軍隊晨間行軍是空腹進行的，通常到八、九點便已結束。但迦勒底人攻城心切，竟喊著說：「我們要趁午時上去攻打！」
「哀哉！」——或作：「哀哉，我們！日已偏斜，晚間的影子正在拉長！」
英文原文
Prepare ye war - Rather, Sanctify ye war against her. War in ancient times was never undertaken without religions solemnities (see Deuteronomy 20:2 note). For some of these compare Ezekiel 21:21-23.
At noon - The mid-day heat is so great in the East as to be usually passed under shelter 2 Samuel 4:5; Sol 1:7. The morning-march of an army was made fasting, and was usually over by eight or nine. But so great is the impatience of the Chaldeans for the assault that they cry, "we will make the assault at noon!"
Woe unto us! - Or,
Alas for us! "for the day" has turned
For the evening shadows are lengthening!
5
Jeremiah 6:5
起來!我們要「趁夜」("by night")發動攻勢!
並要「毀滅她的宮殿」("her palaces")!
眾將領把攻勢延至次日早晨,士兵們為此深感不滿,鼓譟著要求夜間進攻。
英文原文
Up! and we will make the assault "by night!"
And destroy "her palaces."
The generals delay the assault until the next morning. The soldiers consider themselves aggrieved at this, and clamour for a night attack.
6
Jeremiah 6:6
Hew ye…down trees（你們要砍下樹木）——寧可譯作「她的樹木」：目的只是為了清理通道。
Cast…a mount（築壘）——直譯為「傾倒」：泥土從筐中倒出；勞工把土筐背在背上，將土運到所需的地點。
Wholly（全然）——或作：「她就是那受察罰的城；『全然的欺壓』正在她中間！」她受察罰——意即受懲罰；她已到了當受刑罰的地步。
英文原文
Hew ye down trees - Rather, her trees: for the simple purpose of clearing the approaches.
Cast a mount - literally, pour: the earth was emptied out of the baskets, in which it was carried to the required spot upon the backs of laborers.
Wholly - Or,
"She "is the city" that is visited:
"Wholly oppression" is "in the midst of her!"
She is visited, - i. e., punished; she is ripe for punishment.
7
Jeremiah 6:7
「怎樣湧出」——更佳的譯法是：如水池「使水變涼」。
「在我面前……」——我面前不斷有疾病與損傷：疾病是貧窮匱乏的結果；損傷則指實際暴力行為的施行。
英文原文
As a fountain casteth out - Better, As a cistern "cooleth."
Before me ... - Before My face continually there is disease and wounding: Disease as the result of poverty and want: wounding, or, the commission of deeds of actual violence.
8
Jeremiah 6:8
「應當受教」——意即應當受管教：要學會管教所要教導你的功課。
「免得我的心……」——免得我自己——不是「離開你」，神不會甘願離棄祂的百姓——而是「從你身上被撕去」。
英文原文
Be thou instructed - Be thou chastised: learn the lesson which chastisement is intended to teach thee.
Lest my soul - Lest I Myself - not "depart from thee," God does not willingly leave His people, but - "be torn from thee."
9
Jeremiah 6:9
「他們……」——每個字都表明猶大毀滅的徹底。
「要轉回你的手」——這話也許是對尼布甲尼撒——神的僕人（Jeremiah 25:9）——說的。神吩咐他把葡萄樹再搜掠一遍，免得一粒葡萄逃脫。
「到筐籃裏」——更佳的譯法是：「到捲鬚上。」被擄到巴比倫的猶太人雖得逃脫，災禍卻把剩下的人一而再、再而三地拾取淨盡。
英文原文
They ... - Each word indicates the completeness of Judah's ruin.
Turn back thine hand - Addressed perhaps to Nebuchadnezzar as God's servant Jeremiah 25:9. He is required to go over the vine once again, that no grapes may escape.
Into the baskets - Better, "upon the tendrils." While the Jews carried captive to Babylon escaped, misery gleaned the rest again and again.
10
Jeremiah 6:10
「宣告」——更佳的譯法是：「作證」。
「羞辱」——他們把神的道當作譏笑的對象。
英文原文
Give warning - Rather testify.
Reproach - They make the Word of God the object of their ridicule.
11
Jeremiah 6:11
或作：「但我被耶和華的忿怒充滿，疲於抑制；你當把它傾倒在街上的孩童和少年的會眾身上；因為連丈夫和妻子都要被捉拿，年老的和日子滿足的也都不免。」耶利米以斬截突兀的語氣吩咐自己，要把神的信息暢然宣盡。這信息要臨到所有人。此處依次標出人生五個階段。
英文原文
Or, But I am filled with "the fury of Yahweh: I am weary with holding" it "in." Pour it out "upon the children" in the street, and upon the company of youths "together;" for both man and "wife shall be taken;" the older and he whose days are full. With emphatic abruptness Jeremiah bids himself give full utterance to God's message. And the message is to reach all. Five stages of human life are successively marked out.
12
Jeremiah 6:12
「轉歸」——即被強行轉移。房屋、田地、妻子——他們最珍視、最嚴密守住不讓與人的一切——盡都消失。
英文原文
Turned - Violently transferred. Houses, fields, wives, all they most valued, and most jealously kept to themselves - are gone.
13
Jeremiah 6:13
「行貪婪」——按字面是「人人都得了利益」。那得著世界的心境，與得著天堂的心境並不相同。
「虛假地」——宜譯作「行詐欺」。
英文原文
Given to covetousness - literally, everyone has gained gains. The temper of mind which gains the world is not that which gains heaven.
Falsely - Rather, "fraudulently."
14
Jeremiah 6:14
「醫治」——宜作「設法醫治」。
「的女兒」——這些字為大多數抄本所無，但見於大多數譯本。
「輕輕忽忽地」——按字面是「按照……」，即彷彿它是「小事」一般，「不把它當一回事」。這「平安」的呼聲無疑是基於約西亞的改革。
英文原文
Healed - Rather, "tried to heal."
Of the daughter - These words are omitted by a majority of manuscripts, but found in most of the versions.
Slightly - literally, "according to," i. e., as if it were, a "trifle: making nothing" of it. This cry of "peace" was doubtless based upon Josiah's reforms.
15
Jeremiah 6:15
他們「行了可憎的事」， 所以滿面羞慚； 然而他們毫不覺得羞慚， 也不知道臉紅； 因此他們必在仆倒的人中「仆倒」， 我「察罰」他們的時候，他們必致「跌倒」。 這是耶和華說的。
這裏所表達的事實是：他們的行為本是他們的羞恥，只是他們沒有這樣感覺。「可憎的事」按其慣常的意義，指拜偶像（Jeremiah 4:1）。
英文原文
They are brought to shame because
They have "committed abomination:"
Shame nevertheless they feel not;
To blush nevertheless they know not;
"Therefore they shall fall among" the falling;
"At the time" when "I visit them, they shall" stumble,
"Saith Yahweh."
The fact is expressed that their conduct was a disgrace to them, though they did not feel it as such. "Abomination" has its usual meaning of idolatry Jeremiah 4:1.
16
Jeremiah 6:16
其意如下：神的先知已宣告一場全國性的大災禍將至。「要查問；要站在路上，向過路的人求問。你們的國家曾一度昌盛蒙福。要設法查明，當日引你們的祖先走上幸福的是哪些道路。要選擇那些道路，並在其中認真行走，就必在其中為你們的靈魂找到安息。」教父們常將基督——那唯一美善的道路——與那些為數眾多、難以行走的舊路徑，即律法和先知，相對比。
英文原文
The sense is: God's prophet has declared that a great national calamity is at hand. "Make inquiries; stand in the ways; ask the passers by. Your country was once prosperous and blessed. Try to learn what were the paths trodden in those days which led your ancestors to happiness. Choose them, and walk earnestly therein, and find thereby rest for your souls." The Christian fathers often contrast Christ the one goodway with the old tracks, many in number and narrow to walk in, which are the Law and the prophets.
17
Jeremiah 6:17
「守望的人」——指眾先知（Isaiah 52:8）。
「角聲」——那是逃難的信號（Jeremiah 6:1; Amos 3:6）。同樣，先知的警告也是要使人行動起來，躲避神的審判。
英文原文
Watchmen - The prophets Isaiah 52:8.
The second of the trumpet - This was the signal for flight Jeremiah 6:1; Amos 3:6. Similarly the prophet's warning was to move men to escape from God's judgments.
18
Jeremiah 6:18
神召三位見證人來聽祂的判詞：
(1) 外邦人；
(2) 全人類，包括猶太人和外邦人；
(3) 大自然（見 Jeremiah 6:19）。
「在他們中間所行的」——宜作「在他們中間『所發生的事』」，即「要知道我要向他們行的大事」。
英文原文
God summons three witnesses to hear His sentence.
(1) the Gentiles.
(2) all mankind, Jews and Gentiles.
(3) nature (see Jeremiah 6:19).
What is among them - Rather, "what happens" in them; i. e., "Know what great things I will do to them."
19
Jeremiah 6:19
教父們把這理解為將猶太人排斥於教會地位之外的判令。
英文原文
The fathers understood this to be the decree rejecting the Jews from being the Church.
20
Jeremiah 6:20
「菖蒲」——與 Exodus 30:23 的香菖蒲相同（見該處註釋）。
「你們的燔祭」——拒絕禮儀遵守的信息，出自以賽亞和耶利米這兩位先知；他們也正是最協助兩位敬虔君王——希西家和約西亞——恢復聖殿敬拜的人。神所拒絕的，不是禮儀的敬拜本身，而是以它代替個人的聖潔與道德。比較 1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:11; Micah 6:6-8。
英文原文
The sweet cane - The same as the scented cane of Exodus 30:23 (see the note).
Your burnt offerings - The rejection of ritual observances is proclaimed by the two prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, who chiefly assisted the two pious kings, Hezekiah and Josiah, in restoring the temple-service. God rejects not the ceremonial service, but the substitution of it for personal holiness and morality. Compare 1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:11; Micah 6:6-8.
21
Jeremiah 6:21
「看哪，我把絆腳石放在這百姓面前，他們必因它們絆跌；父親與兒子一同跌倒，鄰舍與他的朋友都滅亡。」
這是其行為的自然結果。他們對耶和華的事奉是有系統的虛偽，那他們與同胞相處怎能正直而行呢？神把絆腳石放在人的路上，是藉着祂道德律的一般運作（James 1:13-14）；按這律法，在一點上故意犯罪，就影響整個道德本性（James 2:10）。
英文原文
"Behold," I give unto "this people" causes of stumbling,
And they shall stumble against them:
Fathers and sons together,
"The neighbor and his friend shall perish."
This is the natural consequence of their conduct. Their service of Yahweh was a systematic hypocrisy: how then could they walk uprightly with their fellow-men? When God lays stumblingblocks in men's way, it is by the general action of His moral law James 1:13-14, by which willful sin in one point reacts upon the whole moral nature James 2:10.
22
Jeremiah 6:22
「興起」——或作「被喚醒」，去從事遠方的征伐。
「地極」——或作「極處」，即最遙遠的地區（見 Jeremiah 25:32）。
英文原文
Raised - Or, awakened, to undertake distant expeditions.
The sides of the earth - Or ends, the most distant regions (see Jeremiah 25:32).
23
Jeremiah 6:23
「槍」——確切地說，是向仇敵擲出的標槍（見 1 Samuel 17:6 的註釋）：這是巴比倫人常用的兵器。
「殘忍」——即無情、不人道。在亞述的碑刻浮雕中，戰士處死被征服者；被圍城邑的牆垣四周掛着一排排被刺穿的犧牲者；人們把從敗者身上砍下的手堆積成堆。
「馬……擺隊」——「馬」字後當加句號。擺好陣勢的是全軍，不僅是騎兵。
「如戰士……攻擊你」——宜作「如戰士為爭戰『攻擊你』」。
英文原文
Spear - Properly, a javelin for hurling at the enemy (see 1 Samuel 17:6 note): an ordinary weapon of the Babylonians.
Cruel - ruthless, inhuman. In the Assyrian monuments warriors put the vanquished to death; rows of impaled victims hang round the walls of the besieged towns; and men collect in heaps hands cut from the vanquished.
Horses, set in array - A full stop should be put after horses. It - the whole army, and not the cavalry only - is "set in array."
As men for war against thee - Rather, as a warrior for battle "against thee."
24
Jeremiah 6:24
這是尼布甲尼撒臨近的消息對猶太百姓的影響。
「軟弱」——即力量鬆弛。這與 Jeremiah 6:23 論仇敵所說的「他們抓住」相反：恐懼使猶太人的手無力地握着兵器。
英文原文
The effect upon the Jewish people of the news of Nebuchadnezzars approach.
Wax feeble - Are relaxed. It is the opposite of what is said in Jeremiah 6:23 of the enemy, "They lay hold etc." Terror makes the hands of the Jews hold their weapons with nerveless grasp.
25
Jeremiah 6:25
「因為仇敵的刀」——按字面是「因為刀在仇敵手中」，即仇敵已經武裝，從神領受了執行審判的使命。見 Jeremiah 12:12; Isaiah 10:5 及 Psalm 17:13 的註釋。
「四圍有驚嚇」——瑪歌米沙畢（Magor-Missabib），耶利米的口號（比較 Jeremiah 20:3, Jeremiah 20:10）。其前的「和」字當略去。
英文原文
For the sword of the enemy - literally, "for to the enemy a sword; i. e., for the enemy is armed," he has a commission from God to execute judgment. See Jeremiah 12:12; Isaiah 10:5, and Psalm 17:13 note.
Fear is on every side - Magor-Missabib, Jeremiah's watchword (compare Jeremiah 20:3, Jeremiah 20:10). The "and" before it should be omitted.
26
Jeremiah 6:26
「在灰中輥來輥去」——劇烈的痛苦慣於藉反常的舉動得舒解；因此在灰中打滾，表明耶路撒冷的悲傷已無法承受。
「毀滅的」——尼布甲尼撒。
英文原文
Wallow thyself in ashes - Violent distress is accustomed to find relief in eccentric actions, and thus the wallowing in ashes shows that Jerusalem's grief is unbearable.
The spoiler - Nebuchadnezzar.
27
Jeremiah 6:27
當譯作：
我使你在我的民中作試煉礦石者， 你要知道並試驗他們的道路。 他們全是叛逆中的叛逆者（即徹底的叛逆者）： 是毀謗橫行者，是銅是鐵， 全都敗壞。 風箱鼓動，火中出來的只有鉛！ 煉化的枉然煉化， 惡人未被分別出來。 人稱他們為被棄絕的銀渣， 因為耶和華已棄絕他們。
道德用語與冶金術語從頭到尾交織混用，值得注意。
英文原文
Render it:
I have set thee among My people as a prover of ore,
And thou shalt know and try their way.
They are all of them rebels of rebels (i. e., utter rebels):
Slander-walkers, were copper and iron,
Corrupters all of them.
The bellows glow: from their fire lead only!
In vain hath the smelter smelted,
And the wicked are not separated.
Refuse-silver have men called them:
For Yahweh hath refused them.
The intermixture throughout of moral words and metallurgical terms is remarkable.
29
Jeremiah 6:29
「風箱被燒」——因不斷鼓風而耗盡。先知已用盡一切努力；他的心因神聖默示的熱力而耗竭，再無力勞碌。另有人譯作「風箱噴氣」，即猛烈鼓風。更可能的譯法是：風箱因烈火的強熱而「發紅」。
「仍未除去」——即「未被分離」。煉淨者的目的，是把金屬從渣滓中分離出來。
英文原文
The bellows are burned - Worn out by continual blowing. The prophet has exhausted all his efforts. His heart, consumed by the heat of divine inspiration, can labor no more. Others translate "The bellows snort," i. e., blow furiously. More probably, "The bellows glow" with the strong heat of the fire.
Plucked away - Separated. The smelter's object is to separate the metal from the dross.
30
Jeremiah 6:30
「被棄的」——見旁註；不是真銀，而是渣滓。
「耶和華已經棄掉他們」——這就是結局。煉淨者是神的先知，風箱是默示的氣息，熔劑是他講道時的懇切。然而預言的火熱要融化百姓的心，也是徒然。他們敗壞至極，連一粒純淨的金屬也找不到。煉淨者的一切技巧盡屬徒然。他們既棄絕神所賜的一切恩賜和促使他們悔改的一切動機，耶和華也就棄絕他們，如同一種攙雜得太徹底、不值得煉淨者再勞碌的合金。
英文原文
Reprobate - See the margin; not really silver, but the dross.
The Lord hath rejected them - This then is the end. The smelter is God's prophet: the bellows the breath of inspiration: the flux his earnestness in preaching. But in vain does the fervour of prophecy essay to melt the hearts of the people. They are so utterly corrupt, that no particle even of pure metal can be found in them. All the refiner's art is in vain. They have rejected all God's gifts and motives for their repentance, and therefore Yahweh has rejected them as an alloy too utterly adulterate to repay the refiner's toil.
耶利米接著揭示那臨到耶路撒冷的審判，他對此的描述分為五部分，每一部分都以「耶和華如此說」的話開頭。