2. Manna issue 90 - The Word Of God Is Not Chained 神的道理不受綑綁
KC Tsai—Toronto, Canada 加拿大多倫多 KC Tsai
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the province of Ontario, Canada,
was diagnosed on January 25, 2020.
Subsequently, the Ontario government closed all indoor recreational venues, libraries, theaters, and schools,
and banned social gatherings of fifty individuals or more.
From March 24, all non-essential businesses were shut down,
except for grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential vendors.
On March 28, the maximum number of people allowed to gather was reduced to five.
加拿大安大略省，首例確診的新冠病例，
於 2020 年 1 月 25 日診斷而出。
隨後，安大略省政府關閉了所有室內娛樂場所、圖書館、劇院、和學校，
並禁止 50 人或更多人的社交聚會。
從 3 月 24 日起，關閉所有非必要的營業，
除了雜貨店、藥房和其他基本物資的供應商。
3月28日，合法最大聚集人數減少到五人。
From March 18, the church in Toronto started hosting online worship services for members to attend.
Many members have found this arrangement beneficial,
sharing that they participate with a more reverent attitude,
treating the occasion to worship their Savior as a privilege.
To address the need for interaction and fellowship during this time,
the church replaced the scheduled afternoon Sabbath service
with group Bible studies catering to different age groups and languages.
Members are also encouraged to greet one another,
using their cameras and microphones on their devices at the start and end of each session.
自 3 月 18 日起，多倫多教會開始舉辦線上崇拜聚會，供信徒參與。
許多信徒都發現這種安排很好，
分享他們能以更虔誠的態度聚會，
把敬拜救主的機會，視為一種特權。
為了滿足這段時間裡，信徒交流和團契的需求，
教會取代了原定的下午安息日禮拜，
以小組查經取代，以適合各別不同年齡層和語言交流。
還鼓勵信徒互相問候，
每次談話開始和結束時，可使用設備上的鏡頭和麥克風。
In July, the Ontario government started lifting restrictions cautiously,
allowing churches to open for services for a limited number of congregants,
at thirty percent capacity of the building.
Online services continue, but afternoon Sabbath services have resumed,
with the online Bible study shifted to later in the day.
Even as the lockdown eases, the appetite to fellowship with God remains strong,
as the number of attendees to the Bible study continues to increase.
來到7月，安大略省政府開始謹慎解除限制，
開放教會在限定會眾人數下，可以開始聚會，
以建築物容積率的百分之三十限定。
網路聚會持續進行，但安息日下午聚會開始恢復，
線上查經的時間，轉移到當天稍晚的時候。
即使封城措施有所緩解，與神相交的渴望仍然很強烈，
因為參加查經的人數不斷增加。
Through this pandemic, our Lord Jesus put an emergency brake on our lives,
which had increasingly become inundated with confusing information and chaotic opinions,
and He brought the whole world to a standstill.
He allowed us a time to refocus and reflect—to ask ourselves:
Have I, in my usual busy routines, forgotten the most precious things in life?
Have I neglected the ones whom I should cherish?
Through these reflections, we may be able to realign ourselves
and relaunch our lives in a new direction.
因為這場傳染病，主耶穌給我們的生活踩了緊急剎車，
日常作息逐漸了充滿擾亂人的信息，混亂的想法，
神使整個世界陷入暫時停頓。
神讓我們有時間，重新改變注意力和好好反省—問問自己：
在我平時忙碌的日常生活中，我是否忘記了生命中最寶貴的事物？
我是否忽略了，到底應該珍惜的事物？
經過這些反思，我們或許可以重新調整自己
並朝著新的方向重新啟動自已的生活。
“I am the LORD, and there is no other.
I form light and create darkness;
I make well-being and create calamity;
I am the LORD, who does all these things.
Shower, O heavens, from above,
and let the clouds rain down righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;
let the earth cause them both to sprout;
I the LORD have created it.”
(Isa 45:6b–8, ESV) [1]
6我是耶和華；在我以外並沒有別神。
7我造光，又造暗；我施平安，又降災禍；造作這一切的是我─耶和華。
8諸天哪，自上而滴，穹蒼降下公義；地面開裂，產出救恩，使公義一同發生；這都是我─耶和華所造的。
(賽 45：6b-8)
The shadow of the pandemic hovering over every land is, of course, God’s doing.
To many who have been busily toiling away in this age of information and endless pursuits,
this calamity is a wake-up call.
But to those who delight in God’s name and long for His righteousness,
this calamity brings peace.
It is a time of quietness,
when we can once again learn to revere God, to calm our hearts with His words and be inspired,
so that we may regain strength and mount up with wings like eagles
(Isa 40:31).
疫情的陰影籠罩著每一片土地，當然這是神的作為。
在這個資訊時代，及無盡追求中，對於許多忙碌的人們來說，
這場災難敲響了警鐘。
但對於那些，以神的名義為樂，並渴望神公義的人來說，
這場災難帶來平安。
這是一個可以安靜下來的時機，
當我們能夠再次學會敬畏神，以神的話語使自已的內心平靜安穩，並受到感動的時候，
好讓我們重新得力，像鷹一樣展翅高飛
（賽 40:31）。
ARIEL 亞利伊勒
At times in the Old Testament, God’s chosen people drifted far away from Him.
In His lovingkindness, God would bring calamities upon them,
so that they would return.
During the time of the prophet Isaiah,
the people continued to make their three annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the feasts,
as instructed by God through Moses
(Deut 16:16).
But their hearts were not genuine.
In their daily lives,
they walked in idolatry and filthy conduct.
To call them out of this spiritual darkness and restore a clear conscience in them,
God sent His prophet, Isaiah, to proclaim:
在舊約時代，神的選民有時會遠離祂。
神因著祂的慈愛，降災難給他們，
以便他們可以回歸。
以賽亞先知的時代，
人們繼續每年三次前往耶路撒冷過節，
按照神通過摩西給的指示
（申 16:16）。
但他們內心並不真誠。
日常生活中，
他們有拜偶像，和污穢的行為。
為了召回他們走出靈性的黑暗，使他們的恢復清潔的良心，
神差派以賽亞先知宣佈：
“Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt!
Add year to year;
Let feasts come around.
Yet I will distress Ariel;
There shall be heaviness and sorrow,
And it shall be to Me as Ariel.”
(Isa 29:1–2)
1唉！亞利伊勒，亞利伊勒，大衛安營的城，任憑你年上加年，節期照常周流。
2我終必使亞利伊勒困難；他必悲傷哀號，我卻仍以他為亞利伊勒。
(賽 29：1-2)
The meaning of Ariel is
“altar hearth,”[2] signifying Jerusalem,
the city where David dwelt.
During the feasts, the people would bring their grain, new wine,
and firstborn cattle, or pigeons, to offer as sacrifices at the temple of God.
While the sacrificial animals were lifted to the altar one by one for burning,
Jerusalem was revived and became radiant with joy and vitality during these festivities.
亞利伊勒的意思是
“祭壇”[2] 象徵耶路撒冷，
大衛所住的城邑。
在節期，人們會攜帶五穀，新酒，
和頭生的牛或鴿子，要在神的殿中獻祭。
當祭牲被一一抬到祭壇上焚燒的時候，
在這些慶祝活動中，耶路撒冷重新恢復，並充滿了歡樂和活力。
However, God found these offerings detestable.
They made sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem,
yet at home, they would bow down to idols.
They were confused about their devotion and worship.
Because they lacked genuine faith and true worship,
God viewed Jerusalem as Ariel
—merely a furnace for burning dead animals.
然而，神發現這些祭品是可憎的。
他們在耶路撒冷的聖殿獻祭，
然而在家的時候，他們會跪拜偶像。
他們混亂了自已的奉獻和崇拜的對象。
因為他們缺乏真正的信心，沒有真心想要敬拜，
神把耶路撒冷看作是亞利伊勒，祭壇，
—不過只是用來燃燒動物屍體的火爐而已。
Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work
Among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder;
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”
(Isa 29:13–14)
13主說：因為這百姓親近我，用嘴唇尊敬我，心卻遠離我；他們敬畏我，不過是領受人的吩咐。
14所以，我在這百姓中要行奇妙的事，就是奇妙又奇妙的事。他們智慧人的智慧必然消滅，聰明人的聰明必然隱藏。
(賽 29：13-14)
Their hearts were far from God as they did not follow what was required of them
—to offer sacrifices according to the true knowledge of God’s word and commandments.
They would steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal,
and walk after other false gods they did not know,
and then stand before God in the temple called by His name
(Jer 7:9–10).
Hence, their ritual worship and burnt offerings became detestable to God.
他們的心遠離神，因為他們沒有遵守神的要求
—並沒有按照對神的指示和誡命，真正認清要如何獻祭。
他們偷竊、謀殺、通姦、起假誓、向巴力燒香、
隨從他們不認識的其他假神，
然後又站在神面前，立於以神為名的聖殿
（耶 7：9-10）。
因此，他們的崇拜儀式和燔祭，為神所憎惡。
Through the prophet Isaiah, God warned them of a “marvelous work and a wonder”
that would astonish their wise men and cause their wisdom to perish.
This work unfolded when He allowed the Babylonian armies to besiege and invade Jerusalem,
tear down the city walls, and burn the temple.
Many of God’s chosen people were taken captive to Babylon and elsewhere in the empire.
These events caught them unaware
as they never thought such harm would come upon the temple bearing God’s name
(Mic 3:9–11; Jer 7:4).
神通過以賽亞先知，以“神蹟奇事”警告他們，
會使他們的智者感到震驚，使他們的智慧消亡。
這項工作就展開了，神允許巴比倫軍隊圍攻入侵耶路撒冷，
拆毀城牆，焚毀聖殿。
許多神的選民被擄到巴比倫帝國，以及其他地方。
這些事讓百姓措手不及，
因為他們從未想過，這樣的傷害會臨到以神為名的聖殿
（彌 3：9-11；耶 7：4）。
However, the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem
was not the end of the miracle and wonder with which God would astonish them.
The loss of the physical temple on earth opened a way for the new spiritual temple
to come into being through the blood of Jesus.
At the calling of the prophet Jeremiah, God declared:
“See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant"
(Jer 1:10).
Before God builds and plants,
He destroys and pulls down what has become corrupt.
然而，耶路撒冷聖殿的毀滅
這並不是神要讓他們感到驚駭神蹟奇事的結束。
地上實體聖殿的消失，
可讓人藉著耶穌的寶血，開闢了新的道路實現屬靈聖殿。
在耶利米先知的呼召下，神宣布：
“10看哪，我今日立你在列邦列國之上，為要施行拔出、拆毀、毀壞、傾覆，又要建立、栽植。”
（耶 1:10）。
在神建造裁種之前，
他摧毀拆除已經腐壞的事物。
God gradually revealed the meaning of sincere worship in spirit and truth.
Through the Holy Spirit, He also revealed Christ’s mystery,
which was hidden in Him since the beginning of the ages
—how He extended the grace of salvation to encompass not only the Jews but all nations
(Eph 3:1–11).
This mystery entailed God’s manifestation in the flesh,
His crucifixion on the cross, and the shedding of His blood to pave the way for men to return to Him.
It is a wonder, an act of God that surpasses all human understanding,
as foretold by the prophet Isaiah.
神逐漸顯明了用心靈誠實敬拜的意義。
藉著聖靈，祂也揭露基督的奧秘，
而這奧秘是創世之初就藏在神裡面，
—關於神如何將救贖的恩典擴展，不僅包括猶太人，而且包括所有國家
（弗 3：1-11）。
這個奧秘需要神肉身顯現，
祂被釘在十字架上，並且鋪平了道路，使人回歸到祂身邊而流下寶血。
這是神蹟，是一個超越所有人類認知，神的作為，
正如以賽亞先知所預言的那樣。
THOUGHTS OF PEACE 平安的意念
After the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem,
God assured those in captivity that things happened as they did
because His thoughts were of peace towards them:
耶路撒冷聖殿被毀之後，
神向那些被囚禁的人保證，事情會照著所做的預言發生
因為神對他們的意念是平安：：
For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon,
I will visit you and perform My good word toward you,
and cause you to return to this place.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(Jer 29:10–11)
10耶和華如此說：為巴比倫所定的七十年滿了以後，我要眷顧你們，向你們成就我的恩言，使你們仍回此地。
11耶和華說：我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。
(耶 29：10-11)
This message was spoken to the captives: the calamity would bring peace, a future, and a hope.
We can see that for God’s intended peace to come, three things needed to happen:
the holy temple had to be destroyed,
the people had to be taken captive to a foreign land,
and their channel of ritual sacrifices in Jerusalem had to be cut off.
Because they had failed utterly in offering sincere worship and faithfulness,
a drastic transformation was required to revitalize their faith.
這個信息是對受俘的以色列人傳達：災難將會帶來和平，新未來，新希望。
我們可以看到，神預定的平安將要來臨，需要發生三件事：
聖殿一定會被摧毀，
人們會被擄到異國他鄉，
他們在耶路撒冷獻祭儀式的管道，一定會被切斷。
因為他們完全失敗，無法真心誠意以心靈誠實敬拜神，
為了重振他們的信仰，需要進行徹底的轉變。
TO PULL DOWN AND TO BUILD 拆毀重建
How can peace be granted through calamities?
Such peace is incomprehensible to the one suffering from said calamities.
However, if one genuinely seeks and fears God,
he can experience peace through God’s word and promise,
which bring hope.
Psalm 126, a Song of Ascents,
is the expression of such a process:
平安怎麼會經由災難而獲得的呢？
對於遭受上述災難的人來說，這樣的平安是令人無法理解的。
然而，如果人真正尋求神，敬畏神，
他就能經神的道理和應許，體驗到平安，
而神的道理應許會帶來盼望。
詩篇 126 篇，上行之歌，
表達了這樣的過程：
(A Song of Ascents.)
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
Bring back our captivity, O LORD,
As the streams in the South.
Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
(Ps 126:1–6)
1（上行之詩。）
當耶和華將那些被擄的帶回錫安的時候，我們好像做夢的人。
2我們滿口喜笑、滿舌歡呼的時候，外邦中就有人說：耶和華為他們行了大事！
3耶和華果然為我們行了大事，我們就歡喜。
4耶和華啊，求你使我們被擄的人歸回，好像南地的河水復流。
5流淚撒種的，必歡呼收割！
6那帶種流淚出去的，必要歡歡樂樂地帶禾捆回來！
(詩 126：1-6)
This psalm celebrates the return of the captives from the foreign land.
When God brought them back to Zion,
they dared not believe what they saw,
as if it were merely a dream.
At this moment, even Gentile nations proclaimed the works of God,
exclaiming how He had done great things for His people.
這首詩篇，慶祝被擄之人從異鄉歸來。
當神將他們帶回錫安的時候，
他們不敢相信自已眼睛所看到的，
彷彿這一切都只是一場夢。
這一刻，連外邦國家都傳揚神的作為，
大大驚嘆，神如何為祂的百姓行了這大事。
The Negev region is south of Canaan, comprising mostly wilderness and desert.
Every summer, the rivers and creeks dry up in the drought;
yet, come autumn, abundant rains revive these rivers and creeks
so that they can flow through the winter.
Even the streams in the South receive continual care from the Lord!
The Psalmist evokes this image as he pleads with God for the return of the remaining captives.
The rejuvenated rivers of the Negev can once again restore the holy city to grandeur,
where its people eat, drink and rejoice in the Lord’s presence.
南方地區是位於迦南地以南，主要由曠野和沙漠形成。
每年夏天，河流小溪都因乾旱而乾涸；
然而，到了秋天，大雨使這些河流小溪恢復流動，
以便它們整個冬季會一直淌流。
甚至南方的溪流，也得到神持續的照顧！
詩人懇求神的時候，喚起這個意象，祈求讓被俘餘民回歸。
南地恢復流水，可以再次使聖城恢復雄偉，
而此地的人民在主面前吃喝快樂。
THOSE WHO SOW IN TEARS SHALL REAP IN JOY 流淚撒種的，必歡呼收割
“He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him”
(Ps 126:6).
In the Bible, the seed often represents the word of God
(Lk 8:11),
within which are the promises of God.
Before the captives were taken away,
God had already made a promise through the prophet Jeremiah:
6那帶種流淚出去的，必要歡歡樂樂地帶禾捆回來！
(詩 126：6)
聖經裡，種子常常代表神的話語，
（路 8:11），
種子其中包含了神的應許。
俘虜在被帶走之前，
神已經通過耶利米先知，作出應許：
“For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon,
I will visit you and perform My good word toward you,
and cause you to return to this place.”
(Jer 29:10)
10耶和華如此說：為巴比倫所定的七十年滿了以後，我要眷顧你們，向你們成就我的恩言，使你們仍回此地。
(耶 29：10)
If those who mournfully left their homelands could believe in God’s compassion and unfailing love,
and hold fast to God’s promise while dwelling in foreign lands,
they would surely return home with the fruits of their faith.
They would experience the peace God had preserved for them behind the disasters and calamities.
More importantly, they would come to realize the grace and love of God through these tribulations,
and hence revere God even more.
When those who returned to Jerusalem laid the foundation of the temple to rebuild,
they were overjoyed in thankfulness:
若那些痛苦離開家鄉的人，能夠相信神的憐憫及永恆慈愛，
住在異國時，能堅守神的應許，
他們定然會帶著信心的果實回家。
他們會體驗到，神放在災禍和苦難後面，為他們保留的平安。
更重要的是，他們會在這些患難中，體會到神的恩典慈愛，
因而更加敬畏神。
當那些返回耶路撒冷的人，為重建聖殿立定根基的時候，
他們必會歡喜滿懷感謝：
But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers' houses,
old men who had seen the first temple,
wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes.
Yet many shouted aloud for joy,
so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy
from the noise of the weeping of the people,
for the people shouted with a loud shout,
and the sound was heard afar off.
(Ezra 3:12–13)
12然而有許多祭司、利未人、族長，就是見過舊殿的老年人，
現在親眼看見立這殿的根基，便大聲哭號，也有許多人大聲歡呼，
13甚至百姓不能分辨歡呼的聲音和哭號的聲音；因為眾人大聲呼喊，聲音聽到遠處。
(拉 3：12-13)
Our Lord Jesus has a purpose in all things He causes to happen to His loved ones, even in calamity.
It is always to build us up, not to dishearten us.
He wants us to seek His comfort and peace through His word in whatever circumstances.
This current pandemic provides the God-loving person a moment of calmness
to meditate on His word and to communicate with Him through prayers,
and hence draw even closer to Him.
我們的主耶穌，給發生在祂所愛之人身上的一切，都有他的用意，
即使身處災難中亦是如此。
總是要建立我們，而不是讓我們灰心。
祂希望我們，無論在任何情況下，都會想通過祂的話語，尋求安慰與平安。
當前疫病，給愛神的人提供了片刻的寧靜，
可以反省神的話語，並且禱告與祂交通，
從而更加親近祂。
THE WORDS OF GOD ARE NOT CONFINED 神的道不被捆綁
Today, the phrase “those who sow in tears shall reap in joy” has extra resonance for us:
it impels us to spread the seeds.
As mentioned above, the Scriptures often use the seed to signify God’s word and promise.
As recipients of the truth of salvation,
we must reach out and share these good tidings with those searching for the meaning of life.
今日，“流淚播種，歡呼收穫”這句經節，給我們有更深一層的體會：
它促進我們去散播種子。
如上所述，聖經常使用種子，來代表神的道理和應許。
身為救贖真理的領受者，
我們必須伸出援手，與那些尋求生命意義的人，分享這一切的好消息。
He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know what is the way of the wind,
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good.
(Eccl 11:4–6)
4看風的，必不撒種；望雲的，必不收割。
5風從何道來，骨頭在懷孕婦人的胎中如何長成，你尚且不得知道；這樣，行萬事之神的作為，你更不得知道。
6早晨要撒你的種，晚上也不要歇你的手，因為你不知道哪一樣發旺；或是早撒的，或是晚撒的，或是兩樣都好。
(傳 11：4-6)
He who observes the wind will not sow for fear that the seeds will be blown away
—he worries that the work will be ineffective and fruitless.
He who regards the clouds will not reap for fear that the rain will cut his work short,
and he ends up harvesting nothing.
Future uncertainty should not prevent us from doing good.
No one knows what the future will bring
—only God knows.
What we should consider is whether the work is according to God’s will.
If so, we carry it out and pray for God to lead the way.
God provides opportunities.
To wait for the perfect one is to be destined to miss them all.
This is why Paul encouraged
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching”
(2 Tim 4:2).
觀風不撒種，害怕種子被風吹散，
—擔心工作的人，將會徒勞，不結果實。
擔心天氣的人不會有收獲，因害怕大雨會縮短工時，
結果他一無所獲。
未來的不確定性，不應阻止我們做好事。
沒有人知道，未來會帶來什麼，
-只有神知道。
我們要考慮的，就是工作是否合乎神的心意。
如果符合神旨意，我們就執行，並祈求神的帶領。
神會預備機會。
若要等待完美時機的人，註定會錯過一切好事。
這就是為什麼保羅鼓勵大家，
2務要傳道，無論得時不得時，總要專心；並用百般的忍耐，各樣的教訓，責備人、警戒人、勸勉人。
(提後 4：2)
In current circumstances, social distancing has kept most of our loved ones and friends out of our homes.
However, many of them have yet to enter into the fold of our Lord.
The pandemic has made life unpredictable and brought death to our doors.
Although we cannot gather physically,
we should not let any opportunity to share the salvation grace pass us by.
The government-imposed lockdowns confine us to our homes,
and we are reduced to listening to sermons online.
But this presents a great opportunity:
most people are working from home or are not required to go to their workplace.
Since they have more time, we should invite our friends and family
to online Bible study and testimony sessions.
This is the ideal time;
being taken out of their busy routines allows them to reflect on the meaning of life,
and be open to inspiration.
Social distancing measures cannot restrict us from acting out the Lord’s commission
to preach and minister His word.
We are required to sow the seed and nurture it.
在目前的情況下，社交隔離使我們大多數親人和朋友，遠離我們的家。
然而，他們中有許多人，還沒有進入主的羊圈。
疫情使生活變得無法預測，並帶給我們死亡。
雖然我們不能實體聚集，
但還是不應該讓任何分享救贖恩典的機會，從身邊溜走。
政府實施的封，將我們約束在自己的家中，
我們只能上網聽講道。
但這亦提供了一個很好的機會：
多數人在家工作，不需要去辨公場所。
既然他們有更多的時間，就應該邀請我們的朋友和家人
來參加線上查經和見證會。
這正是理想的時機；
從忙碌的日常生活中，將他們抽離出來，讓人反思生活的意義，
可以打開心胸，受到啟示。
社交距離措施，不能限制我們執行神的託負，
去傳揚執行神的道理。
我們需要散下種子，並好好培育它。
Confined in prison, Paul boldly wrote to Timothy: 囚禁在監獄裡，保羅勇敢寫信給提摩太：
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David,
was raised from the dead according to my gospel,
for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer,
even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
(2 Tim 2:8–9)
8你要記念耶穌基督乃是大衛的後裔，他從死裡復活，正合乎我所傳的福音。
9我為這福音受苦難，甚至被捆綁，像犯人一樣。然而神的道卻不被捆綁。
(提後 2：8-9)
The word of God is not chained!
It transcends all and touches all.
We should continue to invite truth-seeking friends to our online church services.
Encourage them to ask questions and pray for the Holy Spirit to lead them into the true faith.
神的道理沒有被綑綁！
它超越一切，能感動大家。
我們應該繼續邀請慕道朋友，參加我們的線上聚會。
鼓勵他們提出問題，並祈求聖靈帶領他們得到真正的信仰。
This pandemic will surely subside, and eventually,
it will be dismissed by our Lord.
There will be a transition period of adapting to a new socially distanced lifestyle
until everything returns to normal.
The most important question is: has this calamity drawn us closer to our Lord Jesus,
and strengthened our faith in His word?
We need to treasure every footprint the Lord Jesus has made during this pandemic
and let them be imprinted on our hearts,
because He has His purpose for everything that happens.
到最後，疫情終歸會消退，
我們的神會驅散病毒。
這將是一個轉換時期，適應社會新隔離生活方式，
直到一切恢復正常。
最重要的問題是：這場災禍是否讓我們更接近主耶穌，
並在道理上，更加強信心？
我們要珍惜，主耶穌在這次疫情中，所留下的每一個腳印
讓它們印在我們的心上，
因為神對發生的一切，都有祂的用意。
[1] The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
ESVR Text Edition: 2016. Copyright c 2001 by Crossway Bibles,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
[2] “Isaiah 29,” Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, accessed August 19, 2020,
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/isaiah/29.htm.
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