Inaugural Address of Obama

 

奥巴马就职演说

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.

今天我要向你们说的是，我们面临的挑战是真实存在的。

They are serious and they are many.

这些挑战很多，也很严重，

They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.

它们不会轻易地或者在短时间内就得以克服。

But know this, America-they will be met.

但记住这一点：美国终将渡过难关。

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture,the time has come to set aside childish things.

我们仍是一个年轻的国家，但借用《圣经》的话说，摒弃幼稚的时代已经来临。

The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit;

是时候重树我们坚韧的精神；

to choose our better history;

选择我们更好的历史；

to carry forward that precious gift,that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation:

弘扬那些珍贵的天赋和高尚的理念，并代代传承下去，

the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free,and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

即上帝赋予的信念：天下众生皆平等，众生皆自由，且均应有追求最大幸福的机会。

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation,we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned.

在重申我们国家伟大之处的同时，我们深知伟大从来不是上天赐予的，而是要靠我们努力争取。

Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.

我们从不抄捷径，也不会退而求其次。

It has not been the path for the fainthearted-for those who prefer leisure over work,or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.

我们的历程不属于那些胆怯懦弱、享受安逸或追逐名利之人。

Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers,the makers of things-some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

这条历程属于勇于承担风险者，属于实干家和创造者，他们中的一些人名留青史，但更多的人却在默默无闻地工作着。正是这些人带领我们走过了漫长崎岖的旅途，带领我们走向富强和自由。

We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth;

美国是由来自地球上各个角落的语言和文化融汇而成的国家。

and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation,and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united,we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass;

我们品尝过内战和种族隔离的苦酒，经历过黑暗的历史篇章，因此，我们变得更加强大，更加团结，我们坚信昔日仇恨总有一天会成为过去；

that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve;

部族之间的隔阂不久将会消除；

that as the world grows smaller,our common humanity shall reveal itself;

我们坚信，随着世界变得越来越小，我们共有的人道精神将会放出光芒，

and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

美国必将会在开创和平新纪元的过程中发挥应有的作用。

America. In the face of our common dangers,in this winter of our hardship,let us remember these timeless words.

这就是美国。面对我们共同的危机，在这艰难的寒冬，让我们牢记那些不朽的字句。

With hope and virtue,let us brave once more the icy currents,and endure what storms may come.

怀着希望和勇气，让我们再一次冲破结冰的逆流，迎接任何可能来临的狂风骤雨。

Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end,that we did not turn back nor did we falter;

让我们的子孙传唱，当我们面对考验时，我们拒绝结束我们的旅程，我们没有回头，没有踟蹰不前。

and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us,we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

我们在上帝的关爱下眺望远方，我们带着自由这个伟大的礼物，将它安全地传递给未来的世世代代。