Children in America love to play a game called Mother, May I? One child stands facing a line of children a distance away. The one child calls out a command, but the other children must remember to askMother, may I? before they move. When the leading child says, Yes, you may, then the child in the line may move. The children groan when they forget to ask, Mother, may I? for it means one must go back to the starting line。

　　在美國的小孩子喜歡一個游戲, 叫做; 媽媽, 可以嗎?這個游戲怎么玩呢?孩子們排成一對, 讓一個孩子面對他們, 站得稍遠一點。讓另一個孩子喊出一個命令, 其他人必須記得說; 媽媽, 可以嗎?當站在前面的人說; 是的, 可以。他們才能跑開。但如果有誰忘記了說; 媽媽, 可以嗎?他就必須回到隊尾。

　　That reminds me of what happened to Joshua and the leaders of Israel. Listen for a groan from the people of Israel in our Bible lesson today!

　　這個游戲使我想起了約書亞和以色列的領袖們。先來聽聽以色列人的怨言罷。

　　Do you remember the names of the two cities that Joshua and the soldiers of Israel have conquered since they crossed over the Jordan River?The first city was Jericho, and the second was the little city of Ai. All the other cities were hearing about these incredible victories, and they were afraid.Will we be the next? they were probably asking.

　　你還記得以色列人過約旦河后攻取的兩座城的名字嗎?第一個是耶利哥, 第二座城是一個小城叫艾。現在, 所有其它城的居民都聽說了以色列人的勝利, 他們都很害怕, 我們會不會是下一個目標?他們也許在問。

　　The Bible says in Joshua 9：1 and 2, when all the kings heard they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and ..Israel. They decided their best defense would be to fight together. As these kings were making their plans to fight Israel, there was one city that made very different plans!

　　約書亞記9章1-2節說; 當所有的王, 聽見這事, 就都聚集, 同心合意地要與約書亞和以色列人爭戰。他們覺得最好的方法就是聯合起來。當所有的王在計劃怎樣抵擋以色列人的時候, 有一個城市的人卻出了一個截然不同的主意。

　　It seems that the people of the city of Gibeon realized that fighting Joshua would be useless.So they worked very slyly! They had some men dress up as ambassadors to go to Israel. An ambassador is an official messenger sent from a country usually for the purpose of keeping peace between countries.

　　基遍的居民可能已經意識到不管他們怎樣準備, 他們是沒有辦法抵抗以色列人的。于是他們絞盡腦汁, 想出一個很狡猾的計謀。他們派出一些人假扮使者到以色列人那里去。使者一般是由一個國家正式派出的官員, 目的是為了和平。

　　But these men from Gibeon intentionally dressed up in old, dusty clothes, and put on old, worn-out shoes. They put old sacks for saddles on their donkeys, and took old, worn out wine bottles. They even took dry, moldy bread. Well, what do you suppose they are going to do, boys and girls?

　　但是這些基遍的使者卻故意將補過的舊鞋穿在腳上, 把舊衣服穿在身上, 拿舊口袋和破裂縫補的舊皮酒袋馱在驢上, 甚至他們所帶的餅都是干的, 長了霉的。小朋友們, 這些基遍人想干什么呢?

　　Joshua 9：6 says, And they went to Joshua to the camp, and said to him, and to the men of Israel, We have come from a far country：now make a league with us. A league meant a peace agreement. Joshua and the men of Israel looked them over carefully as they listened.

　　約書亞記9章6節說; 他們到吉甲營中見約書亞, 對他和以色列說：我們是從遠方來的, 現在求你與我們立約。立約就是和平的約。當他們說話的時候, 約書亞和以色列人仔細地打量著他們。

　　The Gibeonites were very good actors! They SAID they were from a far country, they LOOKED like they had come a long way, but in their hearts they KNEW they were lying. And God knew it. The Bible says, Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. The heart is the real you thats listening to me right now. No matter what you wear or how nice you try to act, God sees the real you on the inside! What does God see when He looks at our hearts?

　　這些基遍人真是很好的演員。他們說自己是從遠方來的, 他們穿得破破爛爛的, 看起來也象是走了很遠的路。但他們心里知道他們在說謊。神當然知道他們在說謊。圣經上說人是看外貌, 神是看內心。 你的心才代表真正的你。不管你穿什么, 舉止多么文雅, 神是看你的內心。當神看我們的心的時候, 他是看什么呢?

　　Jeremiah 17：9 says, The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. God knows every jealous thought weve ever had, every lie weve ever told, every time weve pouted, or disobeyed. And He doesnt excuse even the smallest sin. God is our loving Creator, but He is also holy, completely perfect, and says SIN MUST BE PUNISHED. For those who do not believe in Jesus, that punishment is everlasting death and separation from God. Being a good actor might help you escape punishment here on earth, but remember, God sees your heart!

　　耶利米書17章9節說; 人心比萬物都詭詐, 壞到極處, 誰能識透呢?神知道我們每一個嫉妒的思想, 每一句謊言, 每一次與人鬧別扭, 每一次不順服。神不能容忍罪, 哪怕是最小的罪。雖然神是創造我們, 愛我們的神。但他又是圣潔, 完美的神。他說;罪必須受到懲罰。對于那些不相信耶穌的人, 那個懲罰就是永遠的死, 和與神永遠的分離。一個人可以成為一個很好的演員, 暫時逃過世上的審判, 但記住, 神看你的內心。

　　The Gibeonites were very good actors, as they presented their story to Joshua and the people of Israel. But Joshua and the men of Israel could not see in their hearts, so they tried to figure out the truth from what they saw.Suppose you people really live close to us, and youre just lying to us. How can we be sure we should make a league with you? the men of Israel asked.

　　在約書亞和以色列人面前, 這些基遍人裝得很象。但約書亞和以色列人并不能看到人的心, 他們只能憑著他們所看見的來識別真假。以色列人對這些基遍人說：只怕你們是住在我們中間的, 你們沒有講真話。如果是這樣, 我們怎能和你們立約呢?

　　Main Truth：Link：The men of Israel were suspicious, but they didnt know for sure. But they were using their eyes and their minds to try to figure out the truth. Was that enough?What was the most important thing they should have done right then?You are right if you said：Ask God about it?, for He knew everything about these strangers! Remember the game, Mother, may I? If you are Gods child, dont forget to come to Him with every decision and say, Father, may I? Your Heavenly Father knows the very best answer!

　　以色列人雖然懷疑, 但他們并不能確定。他們只能憑著他們所看見的, 所聽見的來識別真假。但那是不夠的。他們現在最應該做什么呢?如果你的答案是; 求問神。那就對了。因為神知道一切。還記得那個?媽媽, 可以嗎?的游戲嗎?如果你是神的孩子, 在你做每一個決定之前, 不要忘記來到神的前面, 問他; 天父, 可以嗎?我們的天父知道最好的答案。

　　The men of Israel were suspicious, but they didnt ask God for wisdom and direction! Joshua just kept asking questions.Who are you, and from what country did you come? The Gibeonites had their answers all ready.We are your servants who have come from a very far country, and we came because we heard about the Lord your God, and all that He did in Egypt, and how He helped you defeat all those kings on the other side of Jordan.

　　盡管以色列人懷疑, 但他們并沒有到神面前去尋求智慧, 問問神他們應當怎樣做。連約書亞也只是在問問題。你們是什么人?是從哪里來的?基遍人早已準備好了答案。他們說; 我們是你的仆人, 從極遠之地而來, 是因聽見你神的名聲和他在埃及所行的一切事, 并他幫助你們擊敗了約旦河東所有的國王。

　　So we wanted to make a league with you. If you dont believe us, look at our bread?we took it hot out of the oven the day we left, and now look, it is dry and moldy. Look at our shoes and clothes how worn out they are. You can tell we have been traveling a long, long time.Joshua 9：14 is a very sad verse：And men did not ask counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

　　所以我們想和你們立約。如果你不相信我們, 看看我們的餅, 從家里帶出來的這餅還是熱的。看哪, 現在都干了, 長了霉了。我們這衣服和鞋, 因為道路甚遠, 也都穿舊了, 我們實在是走了好遠的路。約書亞記9章14節的記載實在令人難過; 以色列人并沒有求問神。

　　They didnt pray about it, to ask Gods direction. They made the wrong decisions. They decided to make peace with these ambassadors, and let them live. So they made a league with the men of Gibeon and promised them before the Lord that they would not kill them.

　　以色列人沒有禱告, 沒有求問神。結果他們做出了錯誤的決定。他們決定與基遍的假使者講和, 與他們立約, 讓他們活著。會眾的首領也向他們起誓他們不會殺他們。

　　Only 3 days later they found out the truth. And the truth was that the Gibeonites had really only come about 20 miles! They were not from a far country at all! Can you just hear that groan going up from the camp of Israel!! Gibeah was actually one of the cities Joshua was planning to conquer, and now he had promised before the Lord that the people of Israel would not hurt them.

　　過了三天, 以色列人才發現不對了。原來基遍人離他們只有20英里, 是他們的近鄰。小朋友們, 你聽見以色列人發的怨言了嗎?基遍其實是以色列人要攻打的一座城, 但他們已經在神面前起了誓不傷害他們。

　　The Bible says the people of Israel complained, but they knew they had promised before the Lord, and they could not break that promise, or they will be in trouble with the Lord. But Joshua and the leaders of Israel called the Gibeonites together and asked them, Why did you deceive us, telling us you were from a far country, when you really live very close?

　　圣經說以色列人雖然抱怨, 但他們知道他們已經在神面前起了誓, 他們就不能違反他們的誓言, 否則他們在神面前會有麻煩。約書亞和以色列人的首領們把基遍人叫來, 對他們說; 為什么欺哄我們說：我們離你們甚遠呢?, 其實你們是住在我們中間的。

　　The Gibeonites had a very good answer, boys and girls!Because we heard how the Lord your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all of us, so we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. And now, we are in your hand, whatever seems right and good to you to do to us, do it.

　　基遍人回答得非常好。他們說; 因為有人實在告訴你的仆人, 你的神曾吩咐他的仆人摩西, 把這全地賜給你們, 并在你們面前滅絕這地的一切居民;所以, 我們為你們的緣故甚怕喪命, 就行了這事。現在我們在你手中, 你以怎樣待我們為善為正, 就怎樣做吧!

　　The Gibeonites had done the only thing they knew to do to be saved from destruction! Did you know there is only one thing you and I can do to be saved from everlasting death and destruction?John 3：16 says, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The wordperish?means to be destroyed forever.

　　基遍人知道這是他們脫離死亡的唯一的方法。你知道嗎?我和你也只有一個逃避永遠滅亡的唯一方法。約翰福音3章16節說; 神愛世人, 甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們, 叫一切信他的, 不至滅亡, 反得永生。 滅亡是指永遠的死亡。

　　But God loves you so much that He was willing to give up the dearest treasure of His heart, His perfect Son Jesus, for YOU. How did God give His Son?He sent Jesus to earth to die in your place, taking your punishment and mine for sin. When wicked men nailed Jesus to a wooden cross, He was taking our place. After the Lord Jesus died and was buried, He came alive again on the 3rd day.

　　但, 因為神愛你, 他舍棄了他最寶貝的愛子, 我們的主耶穌。這是怎么回事呢?他讓他的兒子到世上來, 為你死, 承擔你的罪, 當耶穌被釘在十字架上的時候, 他是代替了你。他第三天從死里復活。

　　Now Jesus is in Heaven, and believing in Him is the ONLY way you and I can be saved from everlasting death and destruction. The Gibeonites knew of only one way they could be saved from destruction by Joshua and the army of Israel. And that was to trick the people of Israel.

　　現在他就在天上。相信耶穌是我和你逃避永遠滅亡的唯一方法。基遍人知道他們逃離死亡的唯一的方法就是欺哄以色列人。

　　Joshua kept his promise to save their lives, but because they had deceived the people of Israel, Joshua said, Now because of this, you are cursed and there shall none of you be freed from being servants to us. You will cut wood and carry water for the house of our God.

　　約書亞按照他起的誓沒有殺基遍人, 但因為他們欺哄了以色列人, 約書亞就說; 現在你們是被咒詛的!你們中間的人必斷不了作奴仆, 為我神的殿作劈柴挑水的人。

　　Do you think the people of Israel really wanted to be bothered with a lot of strangers in their camp?No, and every day as Joshua and the people of Israel saw a Gibeonite chopping wood, or bringing water, they would be reminded of the sad consequences of not asking God for His direction! If you are Gods child, remember to ask Gods directions so you can make right decisions!

　　基遍人大概巴不得地接受這個安排。因為劈柴挑水總比被以色列人毀滅好得多。你覺得以色列人會不會因為營中住的這些陌生人而煩惱呢?是的, 當他們每天看見基遍人劈柴挑水, 他們就想起令人難過的往事, 都是因為他們沒有尋求神的帶領, 才會有這樣的結果。如果你是神的孩子, 要記住, 在一切事上來尋求神的帶領, 使你能夠做出正確的決定。

　　Bad decisions can cause you much sorrow, some for the rest of your life! Will you begin daily to read Gods Word?His Word is our best counselor! And pray anytime, anywhere, about anything! God promises His Holy Spirit will be a guide for us in making right decisions.

　　一個錯誤的決定會讓你付出重大的代價, 有時甚至生命。你好不好開始每天來讀神的話。神的話是我們最好的老師。為每件事來禱告。禱告可以是任何時候, 任何地方。神應許我們他的圣靈要來帶領我們做出正確的決定。

　　Children in America love to play a game called Mother, May I? One child stands facing a line of children a distance away. The one child calls out a command, but the other children must remember to askMother, may I? before they move. When the leading child says, Yes, you may, then the child in the line may move. The children groan when they forget to ask, Mother, may I? for it means one must go back to the starting line。

　　在美國的小孩子喜歡一個游戲, 叫做; 媽媽, 可以嗎?這個游戲怎么玩呢?孩子們排成一對, 讓一個孩子面對他們, 站得稍遠一點。讓另一個孩子喊出一個命令, 其他人必須記得說; 媽媽, 可以嗎?當站在前面的人說; 是的, 可以。他們才能跑開。但如果有誰忘記了說; 媽媽, 可以嗎?他就必須回到隊尾。

　　That reminds me of what happened to Joshua and the leaders of Israel. Listen for a groan from the people of Israel in our Bible lesson today!

　　這個游戲使我想起了約書亞和以色列的領袖們。先來聽聽以色列人的怨言罷。

　　Do you remember the names of the two cities that Joshua and the soldiers of Israel have conquered since they crossed over the Jordan River?The first city was Jericho, and the second was the little city of Ai. All the other cities were hearing about these incredible victories, and they were afraid.Will we be the next? they were probably asking.

　　你還記得以色列人過約旦河后攻取的兩座城的名字嗎?第一個是耶利哥, 第二座城是一個小城叫艾。現在, 所有其它城的居民都聽說了以色列人的勝利, 他們都很害怕, 我們會不會是下一個目標?他們也許在問。

　　The Bible says in Joshua 9：1 and 2, when all the kings heard they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and ..Israel. They decided their best defense would be to fight together. As these kings were making their plans to fight Israel, there was one city that made very different plans!

　　約書亞記9章1-2節說; 當所有的王, 聽見這事, 就都聚集, 同心合意地要與約書亞和以色列人爭戰。他們覺得最好的方法就是聯合起來。當所有的王在計劃怎樣抵擋以色列人的時候, 有一個城市的人卻出了一個截然不同的主意。

　　It seems that the people of the city of Gibeon realized that fighting Joshua would be useless.So they worked very slyly! They had some men dress up as ambassadors to go to Israel. An ambassador is an official messenger sent from a country usually for the purpose of keeping peace between countries.

　　基遍的居民可能已經意識到不管他們怎樣準備, 他們是沒有辦法抵抗以色列人的。于是他們絞盡腦汁, 想出一個很狡猾的計謀。他們派出一些人假扮使者到以色列人那里去。使者一般是由一個國家正式派出的官員, 目的是為了和平。

　　But these men from Gibeon intentionally dressed up in old, dusty clothes, and put on old, worn-out shoes. They put old sacks for saddles on their donkeys, and took old, worn out wine bottles. They even took dry, moldy bread. Well, what do you suppose they are going to do, boys and girls?

　　但是這些基遍的使者卻故意將補過的舊鞋穿在腳上, 把舊衣服穿在身上, 拿舊口袋和破裂縫補的舊皮酒袋馱在驢上, 甚至他們所帶的餅都是干的, 長了霉的。小朋友們, 這些基遍人想干什么呢?

　　Joshua 9：6 says, And they went to Joshua to the camp, and said to him, and to the men of Israel, We have come from a far country：now make a league with us. A league meant a peace agreement. Joshua and the men of Israel looked them over carefully as they listened.

　　約書亞記9章6節說; 他們到吉甲營中見約書亞, 對他和以色列說：我們是從遠方來的, 現在求你與我們立約。立約就是和平的約。當他們說話的時候, 約書亞和以色列人仔細地打量著他們。

　　The Gibeonites were very good actors! They SAID they were from a far country, they LOOKED like they had come a long way, but in their hearts they KNEW they were lying. And God knew it. The Bible says, Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. The heart is the real you thats listening to me right now. No matter what you wear or how nice you try to act, God sees the real you on the inside! What does God see when He looks at our hearts?

　　這些基遍人真是很好的演員。他們說自己是從遠方來的, 他們穿得破破爛爛的, 看起來也象是走了很遠的路。但他們心里知道他們在說謊。神當然知道他們在說謊。圣經上說人是看外貌, 神是看內心。 你的心才代表真正的你。不管你穿什么, 舉止多么文雅, 神是看你的內心。當神看我們的心的時候, 他是看什么呢?

　　Jeremiah 17：9 says, The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. God knows every jealous thought weve ever had, every lie weve ever told, every time weve pouted, or disobeyed. And He doesnt excuse even the smallest sin. God is our loving Creator, but He is also holy, completely perfect, and says SIN MUST BE PUNISHED. For those who do not believe in Jesus, that punishment is everlasting death and separation from God. Being a good actor might help you escape punishment here on earth, but remember, God sees your heart!

　　耶利米書17章9節說; 人心比萬物都詭詐, 壞到極處, 誰能識透呢?神知道我們每一個嫉妒的思想, 每一句謊言, 每一次與人鬧別扭, 每一次不順服。神不能容忍罪, 哪怕是最小的罪。雖然神是創造我們, 愛我們的神。但他又是圣潔, 完美的神。他說;罪必須受到懲罰。對于那些不相信耶穌的人, 那個懲罰就是永遠的死, 和與神永遠的分離。一個人可以成為一個很好的演員, 暫時逃過世上的審判, 但記住, 神看你的內心。

　　The Gibeonites were very good actors, as they presented their story to Joshua and the people of Israel. But Joshua and the men of Israel could not see in their hearts, so they tried to figure out the truth from what they saw.Suppose you people really live close to us, and youre just lying to us. How can we be sure we should make a league with you? the men of Israel asked.

　　在約書亞和以色列人面前, 這些基遍人裝得很象。但約書亞和以色列人并不能看到人的心, 他們只能憑著他們所看見的來識別真假。以色列人對這些基遍人說：只怕你們是住在我們中間的, 你們沒有講真話。如果是這樣, 我們怎能和你們立約呢?

　　Main Truth：Link：The men of Israel were suspicious, but they didnt know for sure. But they were using their eyes and their minds to try to figure out the truth. Was that enough?What was the most important thing they should have done right then?You are right if you said：Ask God about it?, for He knew everything about these strangers! Remember the game, Mother, may I? If you are Gods child, dont forget to come to Him with every decision and say, Father, may I? Your Heavenly Father knows the very best answer!

　　以色列人雖然懷疑, 但他們并不能確定。他們只能憑著他們所看見的, 所聽見的來識別真假。但那是不夠的。他們現在最應該做什么呢?如果你的答案是; 求問神。那就對了。因為神知道一切。還記得那個?媽媽, 可以嗎?的游戲嗎?如果你是神的孩子, 在你做每一個決定之前, 不要忘記來到神的前面, 問他; 天父, 可以嗎?我們的天父知道最好的答案。

　　The men of Israel were suspicious, but they didnt ask God for wisdom and direction! Joshua just kept asking questions.Who are you, and from what country did you come? The Gibeonites had their answers all ready.We are your servants who have come from a very far country, and we came because we heard about the Lord your God, and all that He did in Egypt, and how He helped you defeat all those kings on the other side of Jordan.

　　盡管以色列人懷疑, 但他們并沒有到神面前去尋求智慧, 問問神他們應當怎樣做。連約書亞也只是在問問題。你們是什么人?是從哪里來的?基遍人早已準備好了答案。他們說; 我們是你的仆人, 從極遠之地而來, 是因聽見你神的名聲和他在埃及所行的一切事, 并他幫助你們擊敗了約旦河東所有的國王。

　　So we wanted to make a league with you. If you dont believe us, look at our bread?we took it hot out of the oven the day we left, and now look, it is dry and moldy. Look at our shoes and clothes how worn out they are. You can tell we have been traveling a long, long time.Joshua 9：14 is a very sad verse：And men did not ask counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

　　所以我們想和你們立約。如果你不相信我們, 看看我們的餅, 從家里帶出來的這餅還是熱的。看哪, 現在都干了, 長了霉了。我們這衣服和鞋, 因為道路甚遠, 也都穿舊了, 我們實在是走了好遠的路。約書亞記9章14節的記載實在令人難過; 以色列人并沒有求問神。

　　They didnt pray about it, to ask Gods direction. They made the wrong decisions. They decided to make peace with these ambassadors, and let them live. So they made a league with the men of Gibeon and promised them before the Lord that they would not kill them.

　　以色列人沒有禱告, 沒有求問神。結果他們做出了錯誤的決定。他們決定與基遍的假使者講和, 與他們立約, 讓他們活著。會眾的首領也向他們起誓他們不會殺他們。

　　Only 3 days later they found out the truth. And the truth was that the Gibeonites had really only come about 20 miles! They were not from a far country at all! Can you just hear that groan going up from the camp of Israel!! Gibeah was actually one of the cities Joshua was planning to conquer, and now he had promised before the Lord that the people of Israel would not hurt them.

　　過了三天, 以色列人才發現不對了。原來基遍人離他們只有20英里, 是他們的近鄰。小朋友們, 你聽見以色列人發的怨言了嗎?基遍其實是以色列人要攻打的一座城, 但他們已經在神面前起了誓不傷害他們。

　　The Bible says the people of Israel complained, but they knew they had promised before the Lord, and they could not break that promise, or they will be in trouble with the Lord. But Joshua and the leaders of Israel called the Gibeonites together and asked them, Why did you deceive us, telling us you were from a far country, when you really live very close?

　　圣經說以色列人雖然抱怨, 但他們知道他們已經在神面前起了誓, 他們就不能違反他們的誓言, 否則他們在神面前會有麻煩。約書亞和以色列人的首領們把基遍人叫來, 對他們說; 為什么欺哄我們說：我們離你們甚遠呢?, 其實你們是住在我們中間的。

　　The Gibeonites had a very good answer, boys and girls!Because we heard how the Lord your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all of us, so we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. And now, we are in your hand, whatever seems right and good to you to do to us, do it.

　　基遍人回答得非常好。他們說; 因為有人實在告訴你的仆人, 你的神曾吩咐他的仆人摩西, 把這全地賜給你們, 并在你們面前滅絕這地的一切居民;所以, 我們為你們的緣故甚怕喪命, 就行了這事。現在我們在你手中, 你以怎樣待我們為善為正, 就怎樣做吧!

　　The Gibeonites had done the only thing they knew to do to be saved from destruction! Did you know there is only one thing you and I can do to be saved from everlasting death and destruction?John 3：16 says, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The wordperish?means to be destroyed forever.

　　基遍人知道這是他們脫離死亡的唯一的方法。你知道嗎?我和你也只有一個逃避永遠滅亡的唯一方法。約翰福音3章16節說; 神愛世人, 甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們, 叫一切信他的, 不至滅亡, 反得永生。 滅亡是指永遠的死亡。

　　But God loves you so much that He was willing to give up the dearest treasure of His heart, His perfect Son Jesus, for YOU. How did God give His Son?He sent Jesus to earth to die in your place, taking your punishment and mine for sin. When wicked men nailed Jesus to a wooden cross, He was taking our place. After the Lord Jesus died and was buried, He came alive again on the 3rd day.

　　但, 因為神愛你, 他舍棄了他最寶貝的愛子, 我們的主耶穌。這是怎么回事呢?他讓他的兒子到世上來, 為你死, 承擔你的罪, 當耶穌被釘在十字架上的時候, 他是代替了你。他第三天從死里復活。

　　Now Jesus is in Heaven, and believing in Him is the ONLY way you and I can be saved from everlasting death and destruction. The Gibeonites knew of only one way they could be saved from destruction by Joshua and the army of Israel. And that was to trick the people of Israel.

　　現在他就在天上。相信耶穌是我和你逃避永遠滅亡的唯一方法。基遍人知道他們逃離死亡的唯一的方法就是欺哄以色列人。

　　Joshua kept his promise to save their lives, but because they had deceived the people of Israel, Joshua said, Now because of this, you are cursed and there shall none of you be freed from being servants to us. You will cut wood and carry water for the house of our God.

　　約書亞按照他起的誓沒有殺基遍人, 但因為他們欺哄了以色列人, 約書亞就說; 現在你們是被咒詛的!你們中間的人必斷不了作奴仆, 為我神的殿作劈柴挑水的人。

　　Do you think the people of Israel really wanted to be bothered with a lot of strangers in their camp?No, and every day as Joshua and the people of Israel saw a Gibeonite chopping wood, or bringing water, they would be reminded of the sad consequences of not asking God for His direction! If you are Gods child, remember to ask Gods directions so you can make right decisions!

　　基遍人大概巴不得地接受這個安排。因為劈柴挑水總比被以色列人毀滅好得多。你覺得以色列人會不會因為營中住的這些陌生人而煩惱呢?是的, 當他們每天看見基遍人劈柴挑水, 他們就想起令人難過的往事, 都是因為他們沒有尋求神的帶領, 才會有這樣的結果。如果你是神的孩子, 要記住, 在一切事上來尋求神的帶領, 使你能夠做出正確的決定。

　　Bad decisions can cause you much sorrow, some for the rest of your life! Will you begin daily to read Gods Word?His Word is our best counselor! And pray anytime, anywhere, about anything! God promises His Holy Spirit will be a guide for us in making right decisions.

　　一個錯誤的決定會讓你付出重大的代價, 有時甚至生命。你好不好開始每天來讀神的話。神的話是我們最好的老師。為每件事來禱告。禱告可以是任何時候, 任何地方。神應許我們他的圣靈要來帶領我們做出正確的決定。