【双语灵修】手足与挚友SIBLINGS AND FRIENDS
箴言 17章 6月17日 手足与挚友
设筵满屋大家相争，不如有块乾饼大家相安。仆人办事聪明，必管辖贻羞之子，又在众子中同分产业。鼎为炼银，炉为炼金，唯有耶和华熬炼人心。行恶的留心听奸诈之言，说谎的侧耳听邪恶之语。戏笑穷人的是辱没造他的主，幸灾乐祸的必不免受罚。子孙为老人的冠冕，父亲是儿女的荣耀。愚顽人说美言本不相宜，何况君王说谎话呢？贿赂在馈送的人眼中看为宝玉，随处运动都得顺利。遮掩人过的寻求人爱，屡次挑错的离间密友。一句责备话深入聪明人的心，强如责打愚昧人一百下。恶人只寻背叛，所以必有严厉的使者奉差攻击他。宁可遇见丢崽子的母熊，不可遇见正行愚妄的愚昧人。以恶报善的，祸患必不离他的家。纷争的起头如水放开，所以在争闹之先必当止息争竞。定恶人为义的，定义人为恶的，这都为耶和华所憎恶。愚昧人既无聪明，为何手拿价银买智慧呢？朋友乃时常亲爱，弟兄为患难而生。在邻舍面前击掌作保，乃是无知的人。喜爱争竞的是喜爱过犯，高立家门的乃自取败坏。心存邪僻的寻不着好处，舌弄是非的陷在祸患中。生愚昧子的必自愁苦，愚顽人的父毫无喜乐。喜乐的心乃是良药，忧伤的灵使骨枯乾。恶人暗中受贿赂，为要颠倒判断。明哲人眼前有智慧，愚昧人眼望地极。愚昧子使父亲愁烦，使母亲忧苦。刑罚义人为不善，责打君子为不义。寡少言语的有知识，性情温良的有聪明。愚昧人若静默不言，也可算为智慧；闭口不说，也可算为聪明。
“朋友乃时常亲爱，弟兄为患难而生。” -箴 17:17
自我呱呱坠地，我的哥哥便相伴左右。儿时我们结伴上学，迁居芝加哥后，更成为彼此的依靠。我永远难忘二年级转去新学校时，校车司机在开学第一天将我们送到错的车站。当时我以为我们永远都回不到家了，哥哥却沉着冷静，他找到可信赖的人，最终带我们平安回到了家。
我的哥哥特别在我艰难的时刻扶持我，打架时，他会保护我。我们虽偶有争执，他始终是我最坚实的后盾。我的小妹同样对我不离不弃，尤其在我成为年少儿子的单亲爸爸那段迷茫岁月时，她坚定地与我们同行，用陪伴祝福我们。
《圣经》记载了诸多兄弟的故事，有相争的，也有相守的。正如《箴言》第十七章17节所言：“朋友乃时常亲爱，弟兄为患难而生。”我感恩上帝赐予我同经风雨的兄弟姊妹。
你可有血脉相连的兄弟姐妹？或情同家人的挚友？此刻不妨停下脚步，为这些生命中的同行者献上感恩。
祷告
天父啊，感谢你赐下手足之情，让我们共同经历人生甘苦。求你以爱、忍耐与体谅浇灌这些关系，使我们活出你所赐的合一与恩典。阿们。
Proverbs 17
TUESDAY, JUNE 17
SIBLINGS AND FRIENDS
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” — Proverbs 17:17
Ever since I was born, my brother has been by my side. As kids, we walked to school together, and when we moved to the Chicago area, we had each other’s backs. I’ll never forget when I was in second grade and the bus driver dropped us at the wrong stop for our first day at a new school. I was sure we’d never find our way home, but my brother stayed calm. He found someone trustworthy, and we made it home safely.
He’s always been there for me, especially in tough times. He’s defended me in fights, and although we’ve had our share of arguments, I can always count on him. My younger sister has also stood by me, especially when I was a single dad with young sons, lost and overwhelmed. She was “in it” with us, and we were blessed by her presence.
The Bible shares stories about siblings—some who were rivals, others who were deeply loyal. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” I thank God for my brother and sister, who have been with me through it all.
Do you have siblings? A friend who’s like family? Take a moment to thank the Lord for the gift of those who stand by your side.
Father, thank you for the gift of siblings, who walk alongside us through life’s joys and challenges. Bless our relationships with love, patience, and understanding, reflecting the unity and grace you have shown us. Amen.