Respect for authority brings glory to God.

尊重权柄使上帝得荣耀。

If it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus . . . issue[d] a decree.

Ezra 5:17

现在王若以为美，请察巴比伦王的府库，看塞鲁士王降旨，允准……没有。-以斯拉记5章17节

The citizens of Israel were having some trouble with the government. It was the late 500s bc, and the Jewish people were eager to complete their temple that had been destroyed in 586 bc by Babylon. However, the governor of their region was not sure they should be doing that, so he sent a note to King Darius (Ezra 5:6-17).

在公元前六世纪末，被掳归回的以色列民遭到当时的掌权者质疑。当时，犹太人渴望重建在公元前586年被巴比伦王国摧毁的圣殿，但辖区的总督却不太确定是否可行，因此他将此事上本奏告大利乌王（以斯拉记5章6-17节）。

In the letter, the governor says he found the Jews working on the temple and asks the king if they had permission to do so. The letter also records the Jews’ respectful response that they had indeed been given permission by an earlier king (Cyrus) to rebuild. When the king checked out their story, he found it to be true: King Cyrus had said they could build the temple. So Darius not only gave them permission to rebuild, but he also paid for it! (see 6:1-12). After the Jews finished building the temple, they “celebrated with joy” because they knew God had “[changed] the attitude of the king” (6:22).

总督在奏本内写道，他发现犹太人正在建造圣殿，因此向国王请示犹太人是否曾得到允许。在奏文中也提到犹太人恭敬地回复，表明他们确实曾得到先王塞鲁士王的允准。当大利乌王查证此事属实：塞鲁士王的确曾下旨允许他们建殿。所以大利乌王不但允准这事，而且还自王库拨出经费（见6章1-12节）。犹太人完成圣殿的重建之后，他们都「欢欢喜喜地」庆祝，因为他们知道上帝使「王的心转向他们，坚固他们的手，做以色列上帝殿的工程」（6章22节）。

When we see a situation that needs to be addressed, we honor God when we plead our case in a respectful way, trust that He is in control of every situation, and express gratitude for the outcome.

当我们面对问题需要解决的时候，应该以恭敬的态度呈明实情，相信上帝掌管万事，并为祂的带领献上感恩，这便是尊崇上帝的名。

Lord, help us to respond respectfully to situations around us. We need Your wisdom for this. May we always honor, trust, and praise You.

主啊！帮助我们以恭敬的态度面对各种情况，

我们需要祢的智慧。
愿我们永远尊崇、信靠、赞美祢！