The Garden of Eden
Bible 一詞源于希臘文的biblia,意思是“書叢”。圣經(jīng)分為兩部分:舊約和新約,包含有詩歌、法律、歷史、預(yù)言、訓(xùn)誨、故事、書信等文體。舊約的內(nèi)容是希伯來人出埃及時(shí),上帝(耶和華)與人類(希伯來人)所立之舊的盟約以及此盟約的兌現(xiàn)。所謂“約”,即“約定”的意思。新約是上帝與人類所立的新的盟約,此盟約是以耶穌的圣訓(xùn)和他的生活為基礎(chǔ)的。下面是圣經(jīng)故事《創(chuàng)世紀(jì)》中的一段。
GOD had made a beautiful garden for the first man and woman to live in. The garden, called Eden, was full of many wonderful things. Flowers as beautiful to look at as they were to smell grew everywhere. Soft, green grass grew under foot. The joyful music of songbirds drifted across gentle, warm breezes. A clear flowing stream gave cool, fresh water to drink, while hanging from the limbs of the many trees were all sorts of delicious fruits. Tasty vegetables grew free for the gathering. In the Garden of Eden were also all manner of animals, both large and small. Adam and Eve didn’t have to be afraid of any of the beasts, for all the animals were their friends. GOD told the man and woman that it was their job to take care of their new home. He also told them that two special trees grew in the garden. One was the Tree of Life. The other was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
GOD told them, “You may eat the fruit that grows on all the trees except for one. You mustn’t touch the fruit that grows on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. If you eat the fruit that grows on that tree you will die.”
[注釋]:
Eden: the garden that was the first home of Adam and Eve (圣經(jīng))伊甸園,樂園
drift: something moving along in a current of air or water 飄;漂流
breeze: a light current of air; a gentle wind 微風(fēng)
Adam and Eve:亞當(dāng)和夏娃(《圣經(jīng)》中的人物,所謂的人類始祖)