海菲终于找到他等待已久的人了（3）

"I arose and was led by the hands of my companions Into Damascus

“于是，我起身前往大马士革，

and there I was not able to eat or drink for three days

三天三夜滴水未进。

while I remained in the house of a follower¹ of the crucified one.

我待在耶稣的一个门徒家里。

Then I was visited by another called Ananias,

后来有一个名叫亚拿尼亚的人来找我，

who said he had been visited in a vision and told to come to me.

他说他见到异象才来的。

Then he laid his hands upon my eyes and I could see again.

然后，他把手放在我的眼睛上，我的眼睛就复明了。

Then I ate, and I drank,

事后，我开始进食，

and my strength returned.''

恢复了体力。”

Hafid now leaned forward from his bench and inquired,

海菲倾着身子问道。

"What then took place?"

“然后呢？”

"I was brought to the synagogue

“他们带我到一个集会上，

and my presence as a persecutor² of the followers³ of Jesus

由于我曾迫害耶稣，

struck fear into die hearts of all his followers

所以他的门徒一看到我都很紧张。

but I preached nevertheless and my words confounded them,

不管怎么说，我还是开始传道。我的话使他们大为惊讶，

for now I spoke⁴ that he who had been crucified was indeed the Son of God.

因为我对他们说，那个被钉死在十字架上的耶稣，的确是神的儿子。

"And all who listened suspected a trick of deceit on my part

“但是，许多人听了我的话，仍然怀疑其中有诈，

for had I not caused havoc⁵ in Jerusalem?

以为我要为耶路撤冷带来更大的灾难。

I could not convince them of my change of heart

我无法让他们相信我的心已经改变。

and many plotted my death

许多人想除掉我，

so I escaped over the walls and returned to Jerusalem.

我迫不得已翻墙逃了出来，回到耶路撒冷。”

In Jerusalem the happenings of Damascus repeated themselves.

“没想到耶路撤冷的情况也是一样。

None of the followers of Jesus would come near me

还是没有人肯相信我

although word had been received of my preaching in Damascus.

尽管我在大马士革的讲话已经不胫而走。

Nevertheless, I continued to preach in the name of Jesus

我不顾一切地按基督的旨义布道，

but it was of no avail.

然而毫无收效，

Everywhere I spoke I antagonized those who listened

处处遭人反对。

until one day I went to the Temple

直到有一天，

and in the courtyard, as I watched the sale of doves and lambs for sacrifice,

我到圣殿去，在庭院中看到有人在贩卖鸽子、绵羊这祭品。

the voice came to me again."

突然有声音对我说……”

"This time what did it say?" Erasmus spoke before he could stop himself.

“这一次说什么?”伊拉玛脱口而出。

Hafid smiled at his old friend and nodded for Paul to continue.

海菲笑了笑，点头示意保罗往下说。

"The voice said, "you hast had the Word for nearly four years

“那声音说‘你传播上帝的话已近四年，

but you hast shown few the light

但毫无希望之光。

Even the word of God must be sold to the people

要知道即使是神的话语，也需要推销给众人，

or they will hear it not

否则他们不会接受。

Did not I speak in parables⁶ so that all might understand?

我不是也借助寓言让所有的人听懂吗？

Thou wilt⁷ catch few flies with vinegar.

你这样生硬的演说不会有什么效果。

Return to Damascus

回到大马士革去，

and seek out he who is acclaimed⁸ as the greatest salesman in the world.

设法找到那个世上最伟大的推销员，

If thou would spread my word to the world let him show you the way.'"

如果你想把我的话传给世人，就要向他虚心请教。’”

Hafid glanced quickly at Erasmus

海菲看了一眼伊拉玛。

and the old bookkeeper sensed the unspoken question.

老总管早已心领神会：

Was this the one for whom he had waited so long?

这个人是不是主人等待多年的人？

The great salesman leaned forward and placed his hand on Paul's shoulder.

海菲向前探着身子，手搭在保罗的肩上，

"Tell me about this Jesus."

“告诉我耶稣的事情。”

Paul, his voice now alive with new strength and volume,

保罗为之一振，

told of Jesus and his life.

滔滔不绝地讲起耶酥的故事。

1 follower   

n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒

参考例句：

• He is a faithful follower of his home football team.他是他家乡足球队的忠实拥护者。
• Alexander is a pious follower of the faith.亚历山大是个虔诚的信徒。

2 persecutor   

n. 迫害者

参考例句：

• My persecutor impervious to the laughter, continued to strike me. 打我的那个人没有受到笑声的影响，继续打着我。
• I am the persecutor of my self in the wild hunt. 我将自己置身于这狂野的追猎。

3 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 havoc   

n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱

参考例句：

• The earthquake wreaked havoc on the city.地震对这个城市造成了大破坏。
• This concentration of airborne firepower wrought havoc with the enemy forces.这次机载火力的集中攻击给敌军造成很大破坏。

6 parables   

n.（圣经中的）寓言故事( parable的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Jesus taught in parables. 耶酥以比喻讲道。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• In the New Testament are the parables and miracles. 《新约》则由寓言利奇闻趣事构成。 来自辞典例句

7 wilt   

v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱

参考例句：

• Golden roses do not wilt and will never need to be watered.金色的玫瑰不枯萎绝也不需要浇水。
• Several sleepless nights made him wilt.数个不眠之夜使他憔悴。

8 acclaimed   

adj.受人欢迎的

参考例句：

• They acclaimed him as the best writer of the year. 他们称赞他为当年的最佳作者。
• Confuscius is acclaimed as a great thinker. 孔子被赞誉为伟大的思想家。