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Profiting from the Scriptures
从圣经中获益
by J.C. Ryle
作者：J.C. 莱尔
(1) For one thing, begin reading your Bible this very day. The way to do a thing — is to do it; and the way to read the Bible — is actually to read it!
首先，从今天开始阅读你的圣经。做一件事的方法就是去做它；而阅读圣经的方法就是实际去阅读它！
It is not merely meaning, or wishing, or resolving, or intending, or thinking about it — which will advance you one step. You must positively read.
仅仅是意味着、希望、下定决心、打算或思考它，都不会让你前进一步。你必须切实地阅读。
There is no royal road in this matter, any more than in the matter of prayer. If you cannot read yourself, you must persuade somebody else to read it to you.
在这件事上没有捷径可走，就像祷告一样。如果你自己不能阅读，你必须说服别人为你读。
But one way or another, through eyes or ears — the words of Scripture must actually pass before your mind.
但无论如何，通过眼睛或耳朵，圣经的话语必须实际地经过你的头脑。
(2) For another thing, read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it. Do not think for a moment, that the great object is to turn over a certain quantity of printed paper, and that it matters nothing whether you understand it or not.
其次，带着真诚理解的愿望阅读圣经。不要认为主要目的是翻阅一定数量的印刷纸张，而不在乎你是否理解它。
Some ignorant people seem to imagine, that all is done if they advance so many chapters every day, though they may not have a notion what they are all about, and only know that they have pushed on their bookmark ahead so many pages.
一些无知的人似乎认为，如果他们每天读完一定数量的章节就完成任务了，尽管他们可能不知道这些章节讲的是什么，只知道他们把书签向前推进了这么多页。
This is turning Bible reading into a mere ritual form.
这是把阅读圣经变成了一种纯粹的仪式形式。
It is almost as bad as the Popish habit of ‘buying indulgences’ — by saying an astounding number of ‘Ave-Marias’ and ‘Pater-nosters’ (Hail-Mary’s and Our-Father’s — on their ‘rosary beads’.)
这几乎和天主教徒通过念诵惊人数量的”万福玛利亚”和”天主经”（在他们的”玫瑰念珠”上）来”购买赎罪券”的习惯一样糟糕。
It reminds one of the poor Hottentot who ate up a Dutch hymn-book because he saw it comforted his neighbors’ hearts!
这让人想起那个可怜的霍屯督人（Hottentot），他因为看到荷兰赞美诗书能安慰邻居的心灵而把它吃掉了！
Settle it down in your mind as a general principle, that a Bible not understood — is a Bible that does no good!
请将这一点作为一般原则牢记在心：一本不被理解的圣经就是一本没有益处的圣经！
Say to yourself often as you read, “What is this all about?” Dig for the meaning like a man digging for gold.
在阅读时经常问自己：”这到底是在讲什么？”像挖掘黄金一样去挖掘其中的意义。
(3) For another thing, read the Bible with child-like faith and humility.
（3）另外，要以孩童般的信心和谦卑来阅读圣经。
Open your heart — as you open God’s book, and say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!”
当你打开上帝的书时，也要打开你的心，并说：”说吧，主啊，因为你的仆人在聆听！”
Resolve to believe implicitly whatever you find there, however much it may run counter to your own desires and prejudices.
下定决心要毫无保留地相信你在其中发现的一切，无论它多么违背你自己的欲望和偏见。
Resolve to receive heartily every statement of truth — whether you like it or not.
决心要热情地接受每一句真理——无论你喜欢与否。
Beware of that miserable habit into which some readers of the Bible fall — they receive some doctrines because they like them; and they reject others because they are condemning to themselves, or to some relation, or friend.
当心一些读圣经的人所陷入的那种可悲习惯——他们接受某些教义是因为喜欢它们；而拒绝其他教义是因为这些教义谴责了他们自己，或他们的亲戚，或朋友。
At this rate, the Bible is useless!
照这样下去，圣经就毫无用处了！
Are we to be judges of what ought to be in God’s Word?
难道我们要成为上帝之言应该包含什么的裁判吗？
Do we know better than God?
难道我们比上帝更懂吗？
Settle it down in your mind — that you will receive all and believe all, and that what you cannot understand — you will take on trust.
在你的心中坚定这一点——你将接受一切并相信一切，对于你无法理解的部分——你将以信任的态度接受。
Remember, when you pray — that you are speaking to God, and God hears you.
记住，当你祷告时——你是在对上帝说话，上帝听到你的声音。
But, remember, when you read Scripture — that God is speaking to you, and you are not to “dictate,” but to listen!
但是，记住，当你阅读圣经时——上帝正在对你说话，你不是要”指示”，而是要倾听！
(4) For another thing, read the Bible in a spirit of obedience and self-application.
(4) 另外，以服从和自我应用的精神阅读圣经。
Sit down to the study of it with a daily determination that you will . . .
带着每日的决心坐下来学习圣经，你将……
live by its rules,
遵循其规则，
rest on its statements,
依靠其陈述，
and act on its commands.
并按其命令行事。
Consider, as you travel through every chapter, “How does this affect my thinking and daily conduct? What does this teach me?” It is poor work to read the Bible from mere curiosity, and for speculative purposes — in order to fill your head and store your mind with mere opinions; while you do not allow the book to influence your heart and life. That Bible is read best — which is practiced most!
当你阅读每一章时，请思考：”这如何影响我的思维和日常行为？这教导了我什么？”仅出于好奇或为了推测而阅读圣经是贫乏的做法——仅仅为了填满你的头脑，储存纯粹的观点；而不允许这本书影响你的心灵和生活。最好的圣经阅读方式——是最多地付诸实践！
(5) For another thing, read the Bible daily. Make it a part of every day’s business to read and meditate on some portion of God’s Word. Private means of grace are just as needful every day for our souls — as food and clothing are for our bodies. Yesterday’s food will not feed the laborer today; and today’s food will not feed the laborer tomorrow.
(5) 另外，每天阅读圣经。将阅读和默想上帝话语的一部分作为每天的事务。私人的恩典方式对我们的灵魂来说每天都是必需的——就像食物和衣服对我们的身体一样。昨天的食物无法满足今天劳动者的需求；今天的食物也无法满足明天劳动者的需求。
Do as the Israelites did in the wilderness. Gather your manna fresh every morning.
效法以色列人在旷野中的做法。每天早晨新鲜采集你的吗哪。
Choose your own seasons and hours. Do not scramble over and hurry your reading.
选择你自己的时节和时间。不要匆忙草率地阅读。
Give your Bible the best, and not the worst part of your time!
把你最好的时间，而不是最差的时间用来读圣经！
But whatever plan you pursue, let it be a rule of your life to visit the throne of grace and God’s Word every day.
无论你采取什么计划，都要让每天亲近恩典宝座和神的话语成为你生活中的准则。
(6) For another thing, read all of the Bible — and read it in an orderly way.
(6) 另一件事，要阅读整本圣经 — 并以有序的方式阅读。
I fear there are many parts of the Word which some people never read at all.
我担心有许多圣经的部分是有些人从未读过的。
This is to say at the least, a very presumptuous habit.
这至少可以说是一个非常自以为是的习惯。
“All Scripture is profitable.” (2 Timothy 3:16.)
“圣经都是有益的。”（提摩太后书3:16）
To this habit may be traced that lack of well-proportioned views of truth, which is so common in this day.
这种习惯可能导致如今常见的对真理缺乏均衡看法的情况。
Some people’s Bible-reading is a system of perpetual ‘dipping and picking’.
有些人读圣经的方式是一种永远”浅尝辄止”的系统。
They do not seem to have an idea of regularly going through the whole book.
他们似乎没有定期通读整本书的概念。
This also is a great mistake. No doubt in times of sickness and affliction, it is allowable to search out seasonable portions. But with this exception, I believe it is by far the best plan to begin the Old and New Testaments at the same time — to read each straight through to the end, and then begin again. This is a matter in which every one must be persuaded in his own mind. I can only say it has been my own plan for nearly forty years, and I have never seen cause to alter it.
这也是一个很大的错误。毫无疑问，在生病和苦难的时候，可以寻找应季的章节。但除此之外，我认为最好的计划是同时开始阅读旧约和新约——把每一部分从头到尾读完，然后再重新开始。这是每个人都必须在自己心中确信的事。我只能说，这已经是我近四十年来的计划，我从未看到改变它的理由。
(7) For another thing, read the Bible fairly and honestly. Determine to take everything in its plain, obvious meaning — and regard all forced interpretations with great suspicion. As a general rule, whatever a verse of the Bible seems to mean — it does mean! Cecil’s rule is a very valuable one, “The right way of interpreting Scripture is to take it as we find it, without any attempt to force it into any particular theological system.”
(7) 另外，公平诚实地阅读圣经。决心按照其简单明了的含义理解一切——对所有强行解释持高度怀疑态度。一般来说，圣经中的一节经文看起来是什么意思，它就是什么意思！Cecil的规则非常有价值，”解释圣经的正确方法是按我们所发现的来理解它，不要试图将其强行纳入任何特定的神学体系。”
(8) In the last place, read the Bible with Christ continually in view. The grand primary object of all Scripture, is to testify of Jesus! Old Testament ceremonies are shadows of Christ. Old Testament deliverers are types of Christ. Old Testament prophecies are full of Christ’s sufferings, and of Christ’s glory yet to come.
(8) 最后，在阅读圣经时要始终以基督为中心。所有圣经的首要目的是为耶稣作见证！旧约的仪式是基督的影子。旧约的拯救者是基督的预表。旧约的预言充满了基督的苦难，以及基督将要来临的荣耀。
The first coming and the second;
第一次来临和第二次来临；
the Lord’s humiliation and His glorious kingdom;
主的卑微和祂荣耀的国度；
His cross and the crown —
祂的十字架和冠冕 —
shine forth everywhere in the Bible. Keep fast hold on this clue, if you would read the Bible aright!
在圣经的各处闪耀。如果你想正确地阅读圣经，就要紧紧抓住这个线索！
I might easily add to these hints, if space permitted. Few and short as they are — you will find them most profitable when implemented.
如果篇幅允许，我可以轻易地为这些提示增添更多。尽管它们寥寥数语 — 但当你付诸实践时，你会发现它们极其有益。