美国语文第五册 第330期:《圣经》 最好的经典(1)

 　　There is a classic the best the world has ever seen, the noblest that has ever honored and dignified¹ the language of mortals. 这是世界文明迄今为止的古典精粹，这是有史以来人类语言的庄严高贵。

　　If we look into its antiquity², we discover a title to our veneration³ unrivaled in the history of literature. 如果走入沧桑阅尽的尘封过往，我们将在文学史上发现那种无愧人类无与伦比的崇敬描述。

　　If we have respect to its evidences, they are found in the testimony⁴ of miracle and prophecy; 倘若，我们见证其存在而心生景仰，它们在神迹与预言中得以验证：

　　in the ministry⁵ of man, of nature, and of angels, yea, even of “God, manifest in the flesh,” of “God blessed forever.” 造福人类，关爱自然，敬畏天神，的确，“神，以肉身显现，”“上帝，赐福永远。”

　　If we consider its authenticity⁶, no other pages have survived the lapse⁷ of time that can be compared with it. 如果我们怀疑《圣经》的真实性，那么，任何留存于漫长时光流逝里文献典籍无法与其媲美；

　　If we examine its authority, for it speaks as never man spake, 倘若我们质疑《圣经》的权威性，因为它从未发出类似人类声音，

　　we discover that it came from heaven in vision and prophecy under the sanction of Him who is Creator of all things, and the Giver of every good and perfect gift. 我们最终发现《圣经》原本来自上天的视角，来自创造万物造物主掌控中预言，来自世间所有仁爱善行与无私馈赠的授予。

　　If we reflect on its truths, they are lovely and spotless, sublime⁸ and holy as God himself, 如果我们探求《圣经》真相，它如此崇高神圣，甚至委实无可挑剔，因为它与上帝本身无异，

　　unchangeable as his nature, durable⁹ as his righteous dominion¹⁰, and versatile¹¹ as the moral condition of mankind. 与圣父本质同样不可改变，与上天公正掌控同样连绵经久，与人类道德标准同样万能通用。

　　If we regard the value of its treasures, we must estimate them, not like the relics¹² of classic antiquity, 倘若我们关注《圣经》的珍贵价值，我们必须对它做出评价，就价值而言，历代珍宝遗迹荣耀精美但易于衰败，

　　by the perishable¹³ glory and beauty, virtue¹⁴ and happiness, of this world, but by the enduring perfection and supreme¹⁵ felicity of an eternal kingdom. 美德快乐稍纵即逝；而《圣经》凭借永恒王国日久弥新的完美，以及至高无上的幸福永存于世。

1 dignified   

a.可敬的，高贵的

参考例句：

• Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。
• He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。

2 antiquity   

n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹

参考例句：

• The museum contains the remains of Chinese antiquity.博物馆藏有中国古代的遗物。
• There are many legends about the heroes of antiquity.有许多关于古代英雄的传说。

3 veneration   

n.尊敬，崇拜

参考例句：

• I acquired lasting respect for tradition and veneration for the past.我开始对传统和历史产生了持久的敬慕。
• My father venerated General Eisenhower.我父亲十分敬仰艾森豪威尔将军。

4 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

6 authenticity   

n.真实性

参考例句：

• There has been some debate over the authenticity of his will. 对于他的遗嘱的真实性一直有争论。
• The museum is seeking an expert opinion on the authenticity of the painting. 博物馆在请专家鉴定那幅画的真伪。

7 lapse   

n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效

参考例句：

• The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.这一事故被看作是一次严重的安全疏忽。
• I had a lapse of memory.我记错了。

8 sublime   

adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的

参考例句：

• We should take some time to enjoy the sublime beauty of nature.我们应该花些时间去欣赏大自然的壮丽景象。
• Olympic games play as an important arena to exhibit the sublime idea.奥运会，就是展示此崇高理念的重要舞台。

9 durable   

adj.持久的，耐久的

参考例句：

• This raincoat is made of very durable material.这件雨衣是用非常耐用的料子做的。
• They frequently require more major durable purchases.他们经常需要购买耐用消费品。

10 dominion   

n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图

参考例句：

• Alexander held dominion over a vast area.亚历山大曾统治过辽阔的地域。
• In the affluent society,the authorities are hardly forced to justify their dominion.在富裕社会里，当局几乎无需证明其统治之合理。

11 versatile   

adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的

参考例句：

• A versatile person is often good at a number of different things.多才多艺的人通常擅长许多种不同的事情。
• He had been one of the game's most versatile athletes.他是这项运动中技术最全面的运动员之一。

12 relics   

[pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸

参考例句：

• The area is a treasure house of archaeological relics. 这个地区是古文物遗迹的宝库。
• Xi'an is an ancient city full of treasures and saintly relics. 西安是一个有很多宝藏和神圣的遗物的古老城市。

13 perishable   

adj.（尤指食物）易腐的，易坏的

参考例句：

• Many fresh foods are highly perishable.许多新鲜食物都极易腐败。
• Fruits are perishable in transit.水果在运送时容易腐烂。

14 virtue   

n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力

参考例句：

• He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
• You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。

15 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。