[Dì‐84 ([84th]) yè (page) de (’s) tú·piàn (picture · [mw]) (jw.org)]

DÌ‐10 ([10th]) ZHĀNG (chapter)

Yōng·hù (supported · protected) Zhèng·què (right · true) de (’s) Chóngbài (worship)
[🔊 MP3s (jw.org)]

5 Zhèng (upright) ‐ Xié (evil) zhī (’s) Zhàn (war) , Xiān·qǐ (surges · up) Gāo·cháo (high · tide)   (→ [climax])

9 Sān·xīn (three · hearts) ‐ Èr·yì (two · intentions) , Yáo·bǎi (shaking · swaying) ‐ Bú·dìng (not · set)

12 Juédìng·xìng ([having] deciding · nature) de (’s) Bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing])

16 Bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing]) de (’s) Jié·guǒ (formed · fruit)   (→ [result])

[The material in this section with a lower-contrast background has not yet been proofread. More proofreading may be done later as time allows.]

1, 2. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) guò·zhe ({were pass}·ing) zěn·yàng (what · kind) de (’s) shēng·huó (life · living) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zài (at) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) miànduì (faced) shénme ([what]) bú·lì (not · favourable) de (’s) qíngshì (situation) ?

Chén·xī (daybreak · {early morning sunlight}) chū ({at the beginning of}) lù (showing) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) kàn·zhe ({was see-} · -ing) pí·lèi ({were weary} · {were tired}) de (’s) qúnzhòng (crowd) zǒu·shang (walking · upon) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) . Sān (three) nián (years) bàn ({[and a] half}) de (’s) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) shǐ ({had caused}) tāmen ([them]) shòu·jìn ({to receive} · {to the limit}) jiān’·áo (frying · boiling)   (→ [suffering]) . Tāmen ([they]) chī·bu·bǎo ({were eating} · not · {until were full}) , chuān·bu·nuǎn ({were wearing [clothes]} · not · {until were warm}) , shēng·huó (life · living) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) jiānnán ({was difficult}) .

2 Rén·qún (people · crowd) dāng·zhōng (at · among) yǒu (had) 450 ge ([mw]) zhǐ·gāo (toes · high) ‐ qì·yáng (spirit · raised)   (→ [strutting, arrogant]) de (’s) Bālì (Baal) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) , tāmen ([they]) duì (towards) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) hèn·zhī·rù·gǔ (hated · him · entering · bones) . Yēxǐbié (Jezebel) Wáng·hòu (king’s · queen) chǔ·jué·le ({had punished} · {had executed} · [to completion]) xǔ·duō (numbers · many) shì·fèng (served · {attended to}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) zhōng·pú (loyal · servants) , kě·shì (but · was) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) réng·rán (still · -ly) jiān·dìng ({was firm} · {was set}) ‐ bù·yí (not · {was shifting}) , shì ({had vowed}) yào (must) gēn (with) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) duì·kàng ({be opposed} · {be resisting}) dào·dǐ (to · bottom) . Tā (he) hái (still) néng (could) jiān·chí (firmly · hold) duō ({[how] much}) jiǔ ({for a long time}) ne? Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) rèn·wéi (identified · {to be}) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) gū·shēn (solitary · body) yì (one) rén (person) , jué (absolutely) bú (not) shì (was) tāmen de ([their]) duì·shǒu (opposing · hand)   (→ [match]) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:4, 19, 20) Bù (not) xǐ·huan ({did like} · {was happy with}) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) Yàhā (Ahab) Wáng (King) , yě (also) zuò·zhe ({sit in} · -ing) wáng·shì (king’s · family) de (’s) zhàn·chē (war · [chariot]) lái ({had come}) le ([to completion]) .

3, 4. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Zài (at) zhè (this) zhòng·yào (weighty · important) de (’s) yì (one) tiān ([day]) , wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) huòxǔ (perhaps) huì (would) yǒu·diǎnr (have · {a spot of}) hài·pà (feeling · {being afraid}) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) , wǒmen ([we]) huì (will) kànkan ({look at}) shénme ([what]) ?

3 Yǐlìyà (Elijah) jí·jiāng ({was approaching} · {was soon}) dú·zì (alone · self) miànduì (facing) yì (one) cháng ([mw for happenings]) jiān·jù (difficult · huge) de (’s) dòu·zhēng (fight · contending) . Tā (he) kàn·zhe ({was see-} · -ing) qúnzhòng (crowd) shàng ({going up}) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) , xiǎng·dào (thought · {arriving at}) yǒu·shǐ (had · history) ‐ yǐ·lái ({from that point} · coming) zuì (most) xìjù·huà ({[by] drama} · transformed) de (’s) zhèng (upright) ‐ xié (evil) zhī (’s) zhàn (war) jí·jiāng ({was approaching} · {was soon}) zhǎn·kāi ({to be unfolding} · open) . Tiān·liàng (sky · {was bright}) le ([indicates a change]) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) xīn·qíng (heart · feeling) zěn·yàng ([was] what · [way]) ne? Tā (he) huòxǔ (perhaps) yǒu·diǎnr (had · {a spot of}) hài·pà (feeling · {being afraid}) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures) shuō (say) , “Yǐlìyà (Elijah) shì (was) gēn (with) wǒmen ([us]) xìng·qíng (nature · emotions) xiāng·sì (mutually · similar) de (’s) rén (person) ”. (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Yǎgè·shū (James · book) 5:17.) Bù·guǎn (not · {bothering about}) tā (he) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) hài ({did feel}) bú (not) hài·pà ({did feel} · {being afraid}) , dàn (but) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) kěn·dìng (agree · {as certain}) de (’s) shì (is) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zhōu·wéi ({all around} · surrounding) shì (were) yì (one) qún ({group of}) quēfá (lacking) xìn·xīn (believing · hearts)   (→ [faith]) de (’) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) , yí (one) ge ([mw]) pàn·nì (rebelling · {going against}) de (’s) guó·wáng (nation’s · king) hé (and) yì (one) bān ({team of}) shā·qì (killing · spirit) ‐ téngténg (soaring) de (’s) Bālì (Baal) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) , tā (he) bìdìng (certainly) gǎn·dào (felt · {arriving at}) hěn ({very much}) gū·dān ({was solitary} · {was alone}) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:22)

4 Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) huì (would) yǒu (have) zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) zāoyù (encountering) ne? Zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) Shèng·jīng (holy · Scriptures)   (→ [Bible]) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) gēn (with) nǐ (you) yǒu (has) shénme ([what]) guān·xi (involvement · relation)   (→ [relationship]) ne? Xiàn·zài (present · at) ràng (let) wǒmen ([us]) kànkan ({look at}) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiǎn·chū (showed · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) , chéng·wéi ({to become} · {to be}) wǒmen de ([our]) bǎng·yàng ({[from] list of successful candidates} · model)   (→ [good example]) , yǐjí ([as well as]) wǒmen ([we]) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) cóng (from) tā (him) shēn·shang ([self] · upon) xué·dào (learn · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) .

Zhèng (upright) ‐ Xié (evil) zhī (’s) Zhàn (war) , Xiān·qǐ (surges · up) Gāo·cháo (high · tide)   (→ [climax]) ˄

5, 6. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yǐsèliè (Israel) guó (nation) xiàn·rù·le ({had sunk} · into · [to completion]) shénme ([what]) dòu·zhēng (fight · contending) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Yàhā (Ahab) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) dàdà (greatly) chù·nù·le ({had stirred up} · {to become angry} · [to completion]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ?

5 Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zài (in) yì·shēng ({one [whole]} · life) de (’s) dà (greater) bùfen ({portion [of]}) shí·jiān (time · within) li (inside) , dōu (even) zhǐ·néng (only · could) yǎn·bābā (eyes · {waiting anxiously}) de (-ly) kàn·zhe ({be see-} · -ing) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) jiàn·tà (trample · {step on}) guó·jiā (nation · family) zuì (most) bǎo·guì (precious · valuable) de (’s) dōng·xi (east · west)   (→ [thing]) — zhèng·què (right · true) de (’s) chóngbài (worship) , ér (and) zìjǐ (self) què (yet) shénme ([anything]) yě (even) zuò ({would do}) bù·liǎo (not · completing) . Zài (in) Yǐsèliè (Israel) guó (nation) , zhèng·què (right · true) zōngjiào ([religion]) cháng·qī (long · {period of time}) yǔ (with) cuò·wù (wrong · mistaken) zōngjiào ([religion]) dòu·zhēng ({had been fighting} · {had been contending}) . Hěn (very) duō (many) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) cháng·qī (long · {period of time}) yǐ·lái ({from that point} · coming) chóngbài ({had worshipped}) liè·guó ({series of} · nations) de (’) ǒu·xiàng (idols · images) , lí·qì ({had left} · {had abandoned}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) . Zài (in) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) rì·zi (day · [suf]) , qíngkuàng (situation) biàn·de ({had changed} · {to get to be}) gèng (more) huài (bad) .

6 Yàhā (Ahab) Wáng (King) qǔ·le ({took as wife} · [to completion]) Xīdùn (Sidon) wáng (king) de (’s) nǚ’·ér (female · child) Yēxǐbié (Jezebel) . Yēxǐbié (Jezebel) jué·yì ({had determined} · intention) yào (must) zài (in) Yǐsèliè (Israel) chàng·dǎo (initiate · {lead to}) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) , bìng (simultaneously) yào (must) chǎn·chú (shovel · remove) zhèng·què (right · true) chóngbài (worship) . Méi (not) duō (much) jiǔ ({for a long time}) , Yàhā (Ahab) jiù (then) shòu·dào (received · {arriving at}) Yēxǐbié (Jezebel) de (’s) yǐng·xiǎng (relfection · sound)   (→ [influence]) , wèi (for) Bālì (Baal) jiàn·le (built · [to completion]) yí (one) zuò ([mw]) diàn (temple) hé (and) yí (one) ge ([mw]) jì·tán ({offering sacrifices} · altar) , hái (also) dài·tóu (took · {head [position]}) xiàng (to) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) yì·jiào (different · religion)   (→ [pagan]) de (’s) shén (god) qū·xī ({to bend} · knee) xià·bài ({to go down} · {to do obeisance}) , yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) dàdà (greatly) chù·nù·le ({had stirred up} · {to become angry} · [to completion]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 16:30–33)

7. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) nà·me (that · [so]) kě·zēng ({was able} · {to be detested}) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Guān·yú (relating · to) Yǐlìyà (Elijah’s) rì·zi (day · [suf]) de (’s) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) chí·xù ({had been maintained} · {had continued}) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) , wèi·shénme (for · [what]) wǒmen ([we]) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) kěn·dìng (agree · {as certain}) , Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) bìng (definitely) méi·yǒu (not · {are having}) zì·xiāng (selves · mutually) ‐ máo·dùn ({being spear} · {being shield})   (→ [being contradictory]) ? ( Qǐng (please) kàn (see) fù·lán (attached · {bounded area})   (→ [box]) .)

7 Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) nà·me (that · [so]) kě·zēng ({was able} · {to be detested}) ? Yīn·wei (because · for) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) yòu·shǐ (lured · caused) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) lí·qì ({to leave} · {to abandon}) Zhēn·shén (true · God) , shì (was) ge ([mw]) jì (both) fǔ·bài (rotten · decayed) yòu (also) xuè·xīng (bloody · {smelling fishy}) de (’s) zōngjiào ([religion]) , bú·dàn (not · only) shè·yǒu ({was set up} · {to have}) nán (male) ‐ nǚ (female) miào·jì (temple · prostitutes) gōng ({to supply to}) rén (people) xíng·yín ({to carry out} · immorality) zuò·lè ({to make} · enjoying) , hái (also) yǐ (used) értóng (children) wéi (as) jì ({offerings of sacrifice}) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) chāiqiǎn (dispatched) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) qù ({to go}) jiàn ({to see}) Yàhā (Ahab) , xuānbù ({to announce}) huì (would) yǒu (have) yì (one) cháng ([mw for happenings]) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) , zhèi (this) cháng ([mw for happenings]) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) huì (would) chí·xù ({be maintained} · continue) xia·qu (down · {to go}) , zhí·dào (straight · {up until}) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) xuānbù (announced) zāi·yāng (disaster · calamity) jié·shù ({would conclude} · {would get tied up}) wéi·zhǐ (as · stop) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 17:1) Jǐ ({a few}) nián (years) hòu ({after ←}) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zài (again) qù (went) jiàn ({to see}) Yàhā (Ahab) , jiào (asked) tā (him) zhào·jí ({to summon} · {to assemble}) rénmín ({[the] people}) hé (and) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) dào (to) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) qù ({to go}) .*

[Dì‐85 ([85th]) yè (page) de (’s) jīng·xuǎn (refined · selected) yǔ·jù (language · sentence) ]

Cóng (from) mǒu (certain) ge ([mw]) yìyì (meaning) shang (upon) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) de (’s) xiǎn·zhù (noticeable · outstanding) tè·zhēng (special · signs) zài (at) jīn·tiān (present · [day]) réng·rán (still · -ly) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) shèng·xíng ({are flourishing} · {are current})

8. Guān·yú (relating · to) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) de (’s) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) duì (to) wǒmen ([us]) yǒu (has) shénme ([what]) yìyì (meaning) ?

8 Zhèi (this) cháng ([mw for happenings]) dòu·zhēng (fight · contending) duì (to) wǒmen ([us]) yǒu (has) shénme ([what]) yìyì (meaning) ne? Yǒu·xiē (have · some) rén (people) kě·néng (may · {be able}) jué·de ({to feel} · {getting to be}) , wǒmen ([we]) zhōu·wéi ({all around} · surrounding) jì (both) méi·yǒu (not · {do have}) Bālì (Baal) shén·diàn (god · temples) , yě (also) méi·yǒu (not · {do have}) Bālì (Baal) jì·tán ({offering sacrifices} · altars) , zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) guān·yú (relating · to) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) de (’s) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) yǐ·jing (already · {has gone through}) bù·hé (not · {conforming to}) ‐ shí·yí (time · suitable) le ([to completion]) . Bú·guò (not · {do pass})   (→ [however]) , zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) bù·zhǐ (not · only) shì (is) ge ([mw]) gǔ·dài (ancient · era) de (’s) lì·shǐ (past · history) gù·shi (incidents · matter)   (→ [story]) ér·yǐ (and · finishing)   (→ [that’s all]) . ( Luómǎ·shū ([Romans] · book) 15:4) “Bālì (Baal) ” zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) cí (word) de (’s) yì·si (meaning · thought) shì (is) “ zhǔ·rén (owner · person) ” huò (or) “ jiā·zhǔ (family · master) ”. Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) gàosu (told) tā de ([his]) zǐ·mín (persons · people) , yào (must) xuǎnzé (choose) tā (him) zuò ({to be}) tāmen de ([their]) “Bālì (Baal) ”, jí (meaning) zhǔ·rén (owner · person) . (Yǐsàiyà·shū (Isaiah · book) 54:5) Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) , xǔ·duō (numbers · many) rén (people) dōu (even) shì·fèng (serve · {attend to}) gè·zhǒng (each · kind) ‐ gè·yàng (each · type) de (’s) “ zhǔ·rén (master · persons) ”, ér (and) bú (not) shì·fèng ({do serve} · {do attend to}) Quán·néng (all · able) de (’s) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) . Bú (not) shì (is) ma? Wú·lùn ({not having} · {discussing of})   (→ [no matter]) rén (people) shì (are) jìng·fèng (respecting · revering) xíng·xíng (form · form) ‐ sè·sè (colour · colour)   (→ [all kinds]) de (’) shēn·míng (gods · bright) , hái·shi ([or] · are) yùnyòng (using) zìjǐ (selves) de (’) yì·shēng ({one [whole]} · life) zhuī·qiú ({to pursue} · {to seek}) jīn·qián (gold · money) , shì·yè (work · occupation)   (→ [career]) , yú·lè (amusement · enjoying)   (→ [recreation]) huò (or) xìng (sexual) huān·yú (enjoying · {being pleased}) , tāmen ([they]) dōu (all) xuǎnzé·le ({are choosing} · [to completion]) zìjǐ (selves) suǒ ({he whom [they]}) yào (want) shì·fèng ({to serve} · {to attend to}) de (’s) zhǔ·rén (master · person) . ( Mǎtài (Matthew) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 6:24; qǐng (please) dú (read) Luómǎ·shū ([Romans] · book) 6:16.) Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , cóng (from) mǒu (certain) ge ([mw]) yìyì (meaning) shang (upon) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) de (’s) xiǎn·zhù (noticeable · outstanding) tè·zhēng (special · signs) zài (at) jīn·tiān (present · [day]) réng·rán (still · -ly) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) shèng·xíng ({are flourishing} · {are current}) . Wǒmen ([we]) gāi (should) shì·fèng (serve · {attend to}) shéi (whom) ne? Liú·yì (leaving · {attention [on]}) gǔ·dài (ancient · era) guān·yú (relating · to) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) hé (and) Bālì (Baal) zhī·jiān (them · between) de (’s) dòu·zhēng (fight · contending) , néng (can) bāngzhù (help) wǒmen ([us]) zuò·chū ({to make} · out) míng·zhì ({having clarity} · wise) de (’s) jué·zé ({picking out} · selecting) .

Sān·xīn (three · hearts) ‐ Èr·yì (two · intentions) , Yáo·bǎi (shaking · swaying) ‐ Bú·dìng (not · set) ˄

9. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) shì (was) jiāng ({to take}) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) de (’s) miù·wù (falseness · error) jiē·lù ({to uncover} · {to reveal}) chu·lai ({to come out} · {to come}) de (’s) zuì·jiā (most · fine) dì·diǎn (place · point) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .) (Yǐ) (([b])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) duì (to) qúnzhòng (crowd) shuō·le (say · -ed) shénme ([what]) huà (words) ?

9 Zài (at) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) wǎng (towards) xià (down) kàn (looking) , Yǐsèliè (Israel) quán (entire) jìng (territory) yì·lǎn (one · {looking at}) ‐ wú·yí (no · {leaving out}) — cóng (from) Jīshùn (Kishon) xī·gǔ ({small stream} · valley) dào (to) bù (not) yuǎn (far) de (’s) Dà (Great) Hǎi (Sea) ( Dì·zhōng (land · middle) Hǎi (Sea)   (→ [Mediterranean Sea]) ), zài (further) dào (to) běi·miàn (north · face) jìn·tóu (ending · [suf]) de (’s) Líbānèn (Lebanon) shān·mài (mountain · vein) .* Zài (at) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) zhòng·dà (weighty · great) de (’s) rì·zi (day· [suf]) , suī·rán (although · -ly) hóng (red) rì (sun) rǎnrǎn (gradually) shàng·shēng (upwards · rose) , qián·jǐng (ahead · view) què (yet) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) àn·dàn ({was gloomy} · {was pale}) . Shàng·dì (above’s · God) cìgěi ({had given to}) Yàbólāhǎn (Abraham’s) zǐ·sūn (children · {grandchildren or great[…] grandchildren}) de (’s) zhèi (this) kuài ({piece of}) tǔ·dì (soil · land) céng·jīng (had · {gone through}) shì (being) féi·tián (fertile · fields) wò·tǔ (rich · soil) , xiàn·zài (present · at) què (however) yí ({was one}) piàn ({slice of}) sǐ·jì (deathly · {being still}) . Wú·qíng (without · feeling) de (’s) liè·rì (intense · sun) bǎ ({was holding}) tǔ·dì (soil · land) shài·de ({to be shone on} · {to get to be}) yòu (also) gān (dry) yòu (also) yìng (hard) . Zhè (this) dōu (all) shì (was) Shàng·dì (above’s · God’s) zǐ·mín (persons · people) de (’s) yú·mèi ({being foolish} · {being ignorant}) suǒ·zhì ({that which [it]} · caused) ! Mín·zhòng (people · crowd) qún·jí ({[in] group} · gathered) zài (in) yì·qǐ (one · group) de (’s) shíhou (time) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zǒu·dào (walked · to) tāmen ([them]) miàn·qián (faces · before) , shuō (said) : “Nǐ·men (you · [pl])   ([having]) sān·xīn (three · hearts) ‐ èr·yì (two · intentions) , yáo·bǎi (shaking · swaying) ‐ bú·dìng (not · set) , yào (must) dào ({be up until}) jǐ·shí ({how much} · time) ne? Rú·guǒ (if · {fruit (result) is}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shì (is) Zhēn·shén (true · God) , nǐ·men (you · [pl]) jiù (then) dāng (should) gēnsuí (follow) tā (him) ; rú·guǒ (if · {fruit (result) is}) Bālì (Baal) shì (is) Zhēn·shén (true · God) , nǐ·men (you · [pl]) jiù (then) dāng (should) gēnsuí (follow) Bālì (Baal) .” ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:21)

10. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) zěn·yàng (what · [way])   ([were of]) “ sān·xīn (three · hearts) ‐ èr·yì (two · intentions) , yáo·bǎi ({were shaking} · {were swaying}) ‐ bú·dìng (not · {were set}) ”? (Yǐ) (([b])) Tāmen ([they]) wàng·jì·le ({had forgetten} · {to remember} · [to completion]) shénme ([what]) jīběn (basic) zhēn·lǐ (true · logic)   (→ [truth]) ?

10 Yǐlìyà (Elijah) shuō (said) rénmín ({[the] people})   ([were of]) “ sān·xīn (three · hearts) ‐ èr·yì (two · intentions) , yáo·bǎi ({were shaking} · {were swaying}) ‐ bú·dìng (not · {were set}) ”, zhèi (this) jù ({sentence of}) huà (words) shì (is) shénme ([what]) yì·si (meaning · thought) ne? Zhè (this) shì (was) zhǐ ({pointing to}) rénmín ({[the] people}) méi (not) yì·shi ({had thought} · {had known}) dào ({arriving at}) , tāmen ([they]) bìxū ({needed to}) zài (at) chóngbài ({were worshipping}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) hái·shi ([or] · were) chóngbài (worshipping) Bālì (Baal) yí (one) shì (matter) shang (upon) zuò·chū (make · out) xuǎnzé (choosing) . Tāmen ([they]) yǐ·wéi (took · as) kě·yǐ (could · [suf]) jì (both) shì·fèng (serve · {attend to}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) yòu (also) shì·fèng (serve · {attend to}) Bālì (Baal) ; yě (also) yǐ·wéi (took · as) kě·yǐ (could · [suf]) yì·fāng·miàn (one · side · face) wèi (for) tǎo·hǎo ({asking for [from]} · well)   (→ [currying favour with]) Bālì (Baal) ér (thus) jǔ·xíng (raise · {to carry out})   (→ [conduct]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) suǒ ({those which [he]}) zēng·yàn (detested · loathed) de (’s) yí·shì (ceremonies · rituals) , yì·fāng·miàn (one · side · face) yòu (also) qiú (ask) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) cì ({to grant}) fú (blessings) . Yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) tāmen ([they]) yǐ·wéi (took · as) Bālì (Baal) huì (would) shǐ (cause) zuò·wù (grown · things)   (→ [crops]) fēng·shōu (plentifully · {to be harvested}) , shēngchù ({domestic animals}) xīngwàng ({to prosper} · {to be flourishing}) , “ wàn·jūn ({ten thousand} · armies) zhī (’) Zhǔ (Lord) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ” zé ({in contrast}) huì (would) bāngzhù (help) tāmen ([them]) dǎ ({to fight}) shèng·zhàng ({would be won} · battles) . ( Sāmǔ’ěr·jì (Samuel · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Samuel]) 17:45) Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) , hěn (very) duō (many) rén (people) yě (also) xiàng (like) tāmen ([them]) nà·yàng (that · [way]) wàng·jì·le ({have forgetten} · {to remember} · [to completion]) yí (one) ge ([mw]) jīběn (basic) zhēn·lǐ (true · reasoning)   (→ [truth]) : Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yāo·qiú (demands · requests)   (→ [requires]) rén (people) zhuān·yī ({to be focused on} · one) ài·dài ({to love} · {to respect}) tā (him) , jué (absolutely) bù (not) róng·xǔ ({does allow} · {does permit}) rén (people) jì (both) chóngbài ({to worship}) tā (him) , yòu (also) chóngbài ({to worship}) qí·tā (him · besides’) shén (gods) , wǒmen ([we]) lǐ·yīng ({by reason} · should) jǐn·jì (cautiously · remember) zhèi (this) diǎn (point) . Rén (people) yào·shi (if · are) yì·biān (one · side) chóngbài (worshipping) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) , yì·biān (one · side) chóngbài (worshipping) bié·de (other · ’s) shén (god) huò (or) dōng·xi (east · west)   (→ [thing]) , jiù (then) bú·huì (not · will) méng (receive) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) yuè·nà ({being pleased} · accepting) , fǎn’·ér (instead · thus) huì (would) dàdà (greatly) chù·nù ({stir up} · {to become angry}) tā (him) ! (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Chū’·āijí·jì ({going out from} · Egypt · record)   (→ [Exodus]) 20:5.)

11. Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zài (at) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) suǒ ({those which [he]}) shuō (said) de (’s) huà (words) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) bāngzhù (help) wǒmen ([us]) xǐng·chá ({to examine ourselves} · {to scrutinize}) zìjǐ (selves) ?

11 Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people)   ([were of]) sān·xīn (three · hearts) ‐ èr·yì (two · intentions) , jiù (exactly) xiàng (like) yí (one) ge ([mw]) rén (person) shì·tú (trying · plan) zǒu ({to walk}) liǎng (two) tiáo ([mw]) lù (paths) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) . Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) hěn (very) duō (many) rén (people) dōu (even) fàn·le ({have committed} · [to completion]) tóng·yàng (same · type) de (’s) cuò·wù (mistake · error) , róng·xǔ ({have allowed} · {have permitted}) gè·zhǒng (each · {kind of}) “Bālì (Baal) ” tōutōu (stealthily) liū·jìn ({to slide} · into) zìjǐ (selves) de (’s) shēng·huó (life · living) , yǐ·zhì ({because of} · cause) hū·lüè·le ({have neglected} · {have omitted} · [to completion]) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) chóngbài (worship) . Wǒmen ([we]) tīng·cóng ({listen to} · follow) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) huà (words) , jiù (then) bú·huì (not · will)   ([be having]) sān·xīn (three · hearts) ‐ èr·yì (two · intentions) , yáo·bǎi ({be shaking} · {be swaying}) ‐ bú·dìng (not · {be set}) le ([indicates a change]) . Tā de ([his]) huà (words) néng (can) bāngzhù (help) wǒmen ([us]) xǐng·chá ({to examine ourselves} · {to scrutinize}) zìjǐ (selves) : Wǒmen ([we]) gāi (should) zhòng·shì ({[as] weighty} · regard) něi·xiē (which · few) shì (things) ? Gāi (should) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) chóngbài (worship) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) ?

Juédìng·xìng ([having] deciding · nature) de (’s) Bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing]) ˄

12, 13. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) jiàn·yì (proposed · view)   (→ [suggested]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) bǐ·shì ({to compare} · {to test})   (→ [to compete]) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wǒmen ([we]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) biǎo·míng (show · clearly) zìjǐ (selves) xiàng (like) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) nà·yàng (that · [way]) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) yǒu (have) jiān·dìng (firm · set) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) ?

12 Jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) jiàn·yì (proposed · view)   (→ [suggested]) zuò ({to make}) ge ([mw]) bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing]) . Zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing]) hěn (very) jiǎndān ({was simple}) : Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) shè ({were to set up}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) jì·tán ({offering sacrifices} · altar) , bǎ (hold) jì·shēng ({to be offered as a sacrifice} · {domestic animal}) fàng ({to put}) zài (at) tán (altar) shang (upon) , rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) qí·qiú (pray · entreat) Bālì (Baal) jiàng ({to bring down}) huǒ (fire) ; Yǐlìyà (Elijah) yě (also) shè ({would set up}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) tán (altar) , bǎ (hold) jì·shēng ({to be offered as a sacrifice} · {domestic animal}) fàng ({to put}) zài (at) tán (altar) shang (upon) , qiú (request) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) jiàng ({to bring down}) huǒ (fire) . Tā (he) shuō (said) : “ Shéi (whoever) jiàng ({brings down}) huǒ (fire) huí·yìng ({to return} · answering) , shéi (who) jiù·shì (exactly · is) Zhēn·shén (true · God) .” Yǐlìyà (Elijah) qīngchu (clearly) zhīdào ([knew]) shéi (who) shì (was) Zhēn·shén (true · God) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason}) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) jiān·dìng ({was firm} · {was set}) , háo·bù ({a hair} · not) yóu·yù (still · hesitating) de (-ly) ràng (let) duì·fāng (facing · [party]) xiān (first) xiàn·jì (offer · {offer sacrifice}) , zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) jiù (then) xuǎn·le (chose · [to completion]) yì (one) tóu ({head of}) gōng (male) niú·dú (cattle · calf) xiàn·gěi ({to offer} · {to give to}) Bālì (Baal) .* ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:24, 25)

13 Suī·rán (although · -ly) wǒmen ([we]) bú (not) shì (are) shēnghuó (living) zài (in) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) shī·xíng ({carrying out} · implementing) qí·jì (remarkable · {outward signs})   (→ [miracles]) de (’s) shí·dài (time · era) , dàn (but) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) cóng·bù (ever · not) gǎibiàn ({does change}) . Wǒmen ([we]) yě (also) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) xiàng (like) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) nà·yàng (that · [way]) duì (towards) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǒu (have) jiān·dìng (firm · set) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) . Bǐ·fang (comparison · aspect) shuō (saying) , dāng (when) bié·ren (other · people) bù (not) tóng·yì ([do have] same · thinking [as]) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) de (’) huà (words) shí (times) , wǒmen ([we]) bú·bì (not · certainly) hài·pà ({will feel} · {being afraid}) , dào ({on the contrary}) gāi (should) xìn·lài (trust · {rely on}) Zhēn·shén (true · God) . Bù·fáng (not · {do hinder}) ràng (letting) duì·fāng (facing · [party]) xiān (first) shuōshuo ({speak of}) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) xiǎng·fa (thinking · way) , rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) , zài (further) xiàng (like) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) , yùnyòng (use) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) suǒ ({that which [he]}) qǐ·shì (enlightened · showed) de (’s) Huàyǔ (Word) qù ({to go}) jiě·jué ({to solve} · {to decide}) yì·yì (different · views) , ér (and) bú (not) shì ({do be}) kào ({leaning on}) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) néng·lì (ability · power) yǔ (with) duì·fāng (facing · [party]) zhēng·biàn ({to contend} · {to argue}) , yīn·wei (because · for) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) Huàyǔ (Word) shì (is) wèi·le (for · [to completion]) jiū·zhèng (correcting · right) rén (people) ér (thus) xiě (written) de (’s) . (Tímótài (Timothy) Hòu·shū (later · book)   (→ [2 Timothy]) 3:16)

[Dì‐88 ([88th]) yè (page) de (’s) jīng·xuǎn (refined · selected) yǔ·jù (language · sentence) ]

Yǐlìyà (Elijah) kàn·chū (saw · out) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) shì (was) duō·me ({[how] much} · [so]) xū·jiǎ (empty · false) , duō·me ({[how] much} · [so]) huāng·miù (absurd · {grossly erroneous}) , tā (he) xīwàng (hoped) bāngzhù ({to help}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zǐ·mín (persons · people) kàn·chū ({to see} · out) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) zhǐ·shì (only · was) ge ([mw]) piàn·jú (deceiving · situation)

14. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) cháo·xiào (ridiculed · {laughed at}) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Tā (he) wèi·le (for · [to completion]) shénme ([what]) yuán·yīn (origin · cause) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (did) ?

14 Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) bǎ (held) jì·shēng ({to be offered as a sacrifice} · {domestic animal}) fàng ({to be put}) zài (at) jì·tán ({offering sacrifices} · altar) shang (upon) , kāi·shǐ (opened · began) xiàng (to) Bālì (Baal) shén (god) hū·qiú (calling · entreating) . Tāmen ([they]) hūhǎn·le ({cried out} · [to completion]) yòu (again) hūhǎn ({cried out}) : “Bālì (Baal) a, qiú (beg) nǐ (you) huí·yìng ({to return} · {to answer}) wǒmen ([us]) !” Shí·jiān (time · within) yì (one) fēn (fraction)   (→ [minute]) yì (one) miǎo (second) de (-ly) guò·qu (passed · went) , yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) hǎo·jǐ (good · few) ge ([mw]) xiǎo·shí (small · {time periods})   (→ [hours]) le ([indicates a change]) , tāmen ([they]) réng (still) zài ({were then}) hūhǎn ({crying out}) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (say) : “ Kě·shì (however · was) méi·yǒu (not · having) shēngyīn (voice) , yě (also) méi·yǒu (not · having) huí·yìng (returned · answering) .” Dào·le ({arrived at} · [to completion]) zhōng·wǔ (centre · noon) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) kāi·shǐ (opened · began) chī·xiào ({to sneer at} · {to laugh at}) tāmen ([them]) , shuō (saying) Bālì (Baal) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) méi ({did not have}) kòngr ({empty [time]}) huí·yìng ({to return} · {to answer}) tāmen ([them]) , tā (he) huò·zhě (maybe · [suf]) shàng ({had gone up to}) cè·suǒ (washroom · place) dà·jiě (greatly · {to relieve himself})   (→ [to defecate]) qù ({to go}) le ([to completion]) , huò·zhě (maybe · [suf]) shuì·zháo (sleeping · {had achieved ←}) le ([to completion]) , děng·zhe ({was await}·ing) rén (person) qù ({to go}) jiào·xǐng ({to call} · {to wake up}) tā (him) . Yǐlìyà (Elijah) dūn·cù (candidly · urged) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) zì·chuī (self · puffing) ‐ zì·léi (self · pounding)   (→ [blowing their own horn]) de (’s) piàn·zi (deceiving · persons) , shuō (saying) : “ Gāo·shēng ({[in a] high [volume]} · voice) hǎn·jiào ({cry out} · shout) ba ([indicates a mild command]) !” Xiǎn·rán (evident·ly) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) kàn·chū (saw · out) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) shì (was) duō·me ({[how] much} · [so]) xū·jiǎ (empty · false) , duō·me ({[how] much} · [so]) huāng·miù (absurd · {grossly erroneous}) , tā (he) xīwàng (hoped) bāngzhù ({to help}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zǐ·mín (persons · people) kàn·chū ({to see} · out) Bālì (Baal) chóngbài (worship) zhǐ·shì (only · was) ge ([mw]) piàn·jú (deceiving · situation) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:26, 27)

15. Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) de (’) shì·lì (matter · example) ràng (lets) wǒmen ([us]) kàn·chū (see · out) shénme ([what]) ?

15 Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) biàn·de (changed · {to get to be}) gèng·jiā (more · increasedly) kuáng·rè (crazed · heated) , tāmen ([they]) “ gāo·shēng ({[in a] high [volume]} · voice) hǎn·jiào ({cried out} · shouted) , yòu (also) ànzhào ({according to}) tāmen de ([their]) guàn·lì (customary · rule) , yòng (used) dāo·qiāng (knives · spears) zì·gē (selves · {to cut}) , zhí·dào (straight · {up until}) biàn·tǐ ({all over} · bodies) liú·xuè ({[caused to] flow} · blood) ”. Dàn (but) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò·wán (doing · {to completion}) quán (completely) méi·yòng ({was without} · use) ! Xiàn·chǎng (present · scene) “ yī·jiù ({complying with} · {[what] was past}) méi·yǒu (not · {was having}) shēngyīn (voice) , méi·yǒu (not · {was having}) huí·yìng (returned · answering) , yě (also) méi·yǒu (not · {was having}) lǐ·huì ({paying attention to} · meeting) de (’s) ”. ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:28, 29) Qí·shí (its · actuality) , Bālì (Baal) shén (god) gēnběn ({[at] root}) jiù (exactly) bù (not) cún·zài ({did exist} · {was present}) ! Bālì (Baal) zhǐ·shì (only · was) Sādàn (Satan) xū·gòu (falsely · {had fabricated}) chu·lai ({to come out} · {to come}) de (’s) , hǎo (well) yǐn·yòu ({to draw} · {to lure}) rén (people) lí·qì ({to leave} · {to abandon}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) . Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , xiàn·shí (present · reality) shì (is) , rén (people) bù (not) xuǎnzé ({do choose}) shì·fèng ({to serve} · {to attend to}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ér ({but [rather]}) xuǎnzé (choose) bié·de (other · ’s) shén (god) zuò ({to be}) “ zhǔ·rén (master · person) ”, dōu (even) bìdìng (certainly) huì (will) gǎn·dào (feel · {arriving at}) shī·wàng ({having lost} · {hoped for})   (→ [being disappointed]) , shèn·zhì (greatly · {to the point of}) xiūkuì ({being ashamed}) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Shī·piān (poetry · {piece of writing})   (→ [Psalm]) 25:3; 115:4–8.)

Bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing]) de (’s) Jié·guǒ (formed · fruit)   (→ [result]) ˄

16. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zài (at) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) xiū·fù (repaired · restored) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) tán (altar) , yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) shì (was) xiǎng (wanting) tí·xǐng ({to raise} · {wakefulness of})   (→ [to remind]) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) shénme ([what]) shì (thing) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zuò (did) , zài·cì (again · {[one] time}) xiǎn·chū (showing · out) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [confidence]) ?

16 Jiē·jìn (approaching · {to be close to}) huáng·hūn (yellow · dusk) de (’s) shíhou (time) , lún·dào ({taking turns} · {arrived at}) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) xiàn·shang ({to offer} · up) jì·shēng ({to be offered as a sacrifice} · {domestic animal}) le ([indicates a change]) . Yǐlìyà (Elijah) yòng (used) shí’·èr (ten · two)   (→ [twelve]) kuài ({pieces of}) shí·tou (stones · [suf]) xiū·fù·le ({to repair} · {to restore} · [to completion]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) tán (altar) ( bǎ (held) tán (altar) huǐ·huài ({to be destroyed} · {to be ruined}) de (’s) , xiǎn·rán (evident·ly) shì (were) nèi·xiē (that · {number of}) dí·shì ({[as] enemy} · regarded) zhèng·què (right · true) chóngbài (worship) de (’s) rén (people) ), Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (did) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) shì (was) xiǎng (wanting) tí·xǐng ({to raise} · {wakefulness of})   (→ [to remind]) shí (ten) ‐ bù·zú ({sections of} · ethnicity)   (→ [tribes]) de (’) Yǐsèliè (Israel) guó (nation) , Shàng·dì (above’s · God) cìgěi ({had given to}) shí’·èr (ten · two)   (→ [twelve]) bù·zú ({sections of} · ethnicity)   (→ [tribes]) de (’) Lǜfǎ (Law) duì (to) tāmen ([them]) réng·rán (still · -ly) jùyǒu (possessed) yuē·shù·lì (restricting · binding · force) . Jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) , tā (he) bǎi·hǎo (placed · well) jì·shēng ({to be offered as a sacrifice} · {domestic animal}) , bìng ({side by side with}) yòng (used) shuǐ (water) lín·shī ({to drench} · {to be wet}) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [there]} · had) dōng·xi (easts · wests)   (→ [things]) . Zhèi·xiē (this · {amount of}) shuǐ (water) kě·néng (may · {have been able}) shì ({to have been}) cóng (from) fùjìn (nearby) de (’s) Dì·zhōng (land · middle) Hǎi (Sea)   (→ [Mediterranean Sea]) qǔ·lai (taken · {to come}) de (’s) . Tā (he) hái (also) zài (at) tán (altar) de (’s) sì·zhōu (four · circumferences)   (→ [all around]) wā ({had dug}) gōu (trench) , zài (in) gōu (trench) li (inside) zhù·mǎn·le ({had poured} · {to be full} · [to completion]) shuǐ (water) . Xiān·qián (earlier · before) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) ràng·zhe ({was yield}·ing [to]) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) , ràng (letting) tāmen ([them]) zhàn·jìn (occupy · {to the limit}) yōu·shì (superior · situation) , xiàn·zài (present · at) hái (also) lìng (caused) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) chǔ·yú ({to be situated} · in) fēi·cháng (un·usually) bú·lì (not · favourable) de (’s) qíngkuàng (situation) , zhè (this) shì (was) yīn·wei (because · for) tā (he) duì (towards) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǒu (had) shí·zú ({ten [times]} · ample) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [confidence]) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:30–35)

[Dì‐90 ([90th]) yè (page) de (’s) jīng·xuǎn (refined · selected) yǔ·jù (language · sentence) ]

Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) dǎo·gào (prayer · requesting) biǎo·míng (showed · clearly) , tā (he) réng·rán (still · -ly) hěn ({very much}) guān·xīn (concerned · heart [with]) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) , kě·wàng (thirstily · hoped) jiàn·dào ({to see} · {arriving at}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shǐ (cause) tāmen ([them]) huí·xīn ({to circle back} · hearts) ‐ zhuǎn·yì ({to turn} · thinking)

17. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) dǎo·gào (prayer · requesting) biǎo·míng (showed · clearly) tā (he) zhòng·shì ({[as] weighty} · regarded) shénme ([what]) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Wǒmen ([we]) xiàng (to) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) dǎo·gào (pray · request) shí (times) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) tā (him) ?

17 Yí·qiè ({one [whole]} · corresponding)   (→ [everything]) zhǔn·bèi ({[up to] standard} · {was prepared}) hǎo (well) yǐ·hòu (at · afterwards) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) jiù (then) xiàng (to) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) dǎo·gào (prayed · requested) . Zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) dǎo·gào (prayer · requesting) jiǎn·jié ({was simple} · {was clean}) ér (and) yǒu·lì (had · power) , qīngchu (clearly) biǎo·míng (showed · clearly) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) suǒ ({that which [he]}) zhòng·shì ({[as] weighty} · regarded) de (’s) shì (were) shénme ([what]) . Yǐlìyà (Elijah) yào (wanted) ràng ({to let}) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) zhīdào ([know]) , “Yǐsèliè (Israel) guó (nation) zhōng (within) de (’s) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) ” shì (was) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , ér (and) bú (not) shì (was) nèi·ge (that · [mw]) Bālì (Baal) shén (god) . Lìng·wài (separately · outside) , tā (he) biǎo·míng (showed · clearly) zìjǐ (self) bú·guò (not · {did pass})   (→ [merely was]) shì (being) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) pú·rén (servant · person) , yí·qiè ({one [whole]} · corresponding)   (→ [all]) róngyào (glory) hé (and) gōng·láo ([credit for] {meritorious service} · labour) dōu (all) yīnggāi (should) guī·gěi ({be turned over} · {to give to}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) . Tā (he) hái (also) gàosu (told) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) , zìjǐ (self) réng·rán (still · -ly) hěn ({very much}) guān·xīn (concerned · heart [with]) tāmen ([them]) , kě·wàng (thirstily · hoped) jiàn·dào ({to see} · {arriving at}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shǐ (cause) tāmen ([them]) huí·xīn ({to circle back} · hearts) ‐ zhuǎn·yì ({to turn} · thinking) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:36, 37) Suī·rán (although · -ly) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) kàn·dào (saw · reaching) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) yīn (because) duì (towards) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) bù·zhōng (not · {had been loyal}) ér (thus) zāo·shòu ({had encountered} · {had received}) kǔ·chǔ (bitter · suffering) , què (yet) yī·jiù ({complying with} · {[what] was past}) shēn (deeply) ài (loved) tāmen ([them]) . Wǒmen ([we]) yǒu (have) méi·yǒu (not · have) xiàng (like) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) nà·yàng (that · [way]) xiǎn·chū (shown · out) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (’s) tàidu (attitude) , zài (in) dǎo·gào (prayer · requesting) li (inside) biǎo·míng (shown · clearly) zìjǐ (selves) guān·xīn (concern · hearts [with]) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) shèng·míng (holy · name) , bìng·qiě (simultaneously · also) lián·xù ({sympathize with} · pity) xūyào (need) bāngzhù (help) de (’s) rén (people) ne?

18, 19. (Jiǎ) (([a])) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) huí·yìng (returned · {to answer}) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) de (’s) dǎo·gào (prayer · requesting) ? (Yǐ) (([b])) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) fēnfu (instructed) rénmín ({[the] people}) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zuò ({to do}) ? (Bǐng) (([c])) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) pèi·bu·shàng ({did deserve} · not · {up to}) shòu (receiving) rén·cí (benevolent · kind) de (’s) duì·dài (treating · {dealing with}) ?

18 Yǐlìyà (Elijah) dǎo·gào (prayed · requested) zhī·qián (it · before) , qúnzhòng (crowd) kě·néng (may · {have been able}) yě (even) zài ({to then have been}) chuǎicè (estimating · conjecturing) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) huì (would) bu·huì (not · would) xiàng (like) Bālì (Baal) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) qī·piàn (cheat · deceive) rén (people) ne? Bú·guò (not · {do pass})   (→ [however]) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) dǎo·gào (prayed · requested) zhī·hòu (it · after) , tāmen ([they]) jiù (then) bú·yòng (not · {did need}) hú·luàn (recklessly · disorderedly) cāi·cè ({to guess} · {to conjecture}) le ([indicates a change]) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) de (’) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) shuō (says) : “Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) huǒ (fire) jiàng (fell) xia·lai (down · {to come}) , tūn·miè·le (swallowed · extinguished · [to completion]) quán·shāo·jì (whole · burnt · {offerings of sacrifice}) , mù·chái (wood · firewood) , shí·tou (stones · [suf]) , chén·tǔ (dust · soil) , lián (even) gōu (trench) li (inside) de (’s) shuǐ (water) yě (also) shāo·gān ({was burned} · {to be dry}) le ([to completion]) .” ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:38) Bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing]) de (’s) jié·guǒ (formed · fruit)   (→ [result]) què·shí (certainly · solidly) lìng (caused) rén (people) jīng·yà ({to be startled} · {to be surprised}) ! Mín·zhòng (people · crowd) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ne?

[Dì‐89 ([89th]) yè (page) de (’s) tú·piàn (picture · [mw]) (jw.org)]

“Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) huǒ (fire) jiàng (fell) xia·lai (down · {to come}) ”

19 Tāmen ([they]) quán·dōu (all · even) dà·shēng ([with] big · voices) hūhǎn ({cried out}) : “Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shì (is) Zhēn·shén (true · God) ! Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shì (is) Zhēn·shén (true · God) !” ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:39) Zhēn·xiàng (true · appearance) zhōng·yú (finally · {[was] at}) dà·bái (greatly · {being clear}) le ([indicates a change]) ! Kě·shì (however · was) , tāmen ([they]) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) hái·shi (still · were) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) bù·zú (not · {being enough}) . Tǎn·bái (candidly · plainly) shuō (speaking) , yào·shi (if · {[it] is [that]}) rén (people) chéng·rèn (bear · recognize) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shì (is) Zhēn·shén (true · God) , zhǐ·bu·guò (only · not · passing) yīn·wei ({being because of} · {being for}) kàn·dào (seeing · reaching) tā (he) yǐ ({had used}) jiàng ({bringing down}) huǒ (fire) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({kind of}) fāng·shì (direction · style) huí·yìng ({to return} · {to answer}) dǎo·gào (prayer · requesting) , nà·me (that · [so]) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({kind of}) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) jiù (then) méi ({does not have}) shénme ([any]) yìyì (meaning) le ([to completion]) . Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) yào (asked) rénmín ({[the] people}) jìn·yí·bù ({to advance} · one · step) xiǎn·chū ({to show} · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) . Tā (he) yāo·qiú (demanded · requested)   (→ [required]) tāmen ([them]) zuò ({to do}) yí (one) jiàn ([mw]) xǔ·duō (numbers · many) nián (years) qián (before) jiù (then) gāi (should) zuò ({have done}) de (’s) shì (thing) : Fúcóng (obey) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) Lǜfǎ (Law) . Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) Lǜfǎ (Law) guī·dìng (rule · determined) , jiǎ (false) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) hé (and) bài (worship) ǒu·xiàng (idols · images) de (’) rén (persons) dōu (all) bìxū (must) chǔ·sǐ ({be punished} · {to die}) . ( Shēn·mìng·jì (states · orders · record)   (→ [Deuteronomy]) 13:5–9) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) xù·yì ([with] {saved up} · intention)   (→ [deliberately]) wéi·kàng (disobeyed · resisted) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zhǐyì (will) , gēn (with) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) Shàngdì ([God]) zuò·duì (were · opposed) . Tāmen ([they]) pèi (deserved) shòu ({to receive}) rén·cí (benevolent · kind) de (’s) duì·dài (treating · {dealing with}) ma? Shì (try) xiǎngxiang ({to think about}) , tāmen ([they]) bǎ ({had held}) wú·gū (without · guilt) de (’s) háizi (children) huóhuó ({[while] living}) shāo·sǐ ({to burn} · {to die}) xiàn·gěi ({to offer} · {to give to}) Bālì (Baal) shí (times) , duì (towards) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) háizi (children) rén·cí ({had been benevolent} · {had been kind}) ma? (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Zhēn·yán (admonishing · sayings)   (→ [Proverbs]) 21:13; Yēlìmǐ·shū (Jeremiah · book) 19:5) Zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) juéduì ([absolutely]) pèi·bu·shàng ({did deserve} · not · {up to}) shòu (receiving) rén·cí (benevolent · kind) de (’s) duì·dài (treating · {dealing with}) ! Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) xià·lìng ({[set] down} · order) chǔ·jué ({to punish} · {to execute}) tāmen ([them]) , tāmen ([they]) jiù (then) bèi ([got]) chǔ·sǐ (punished · {to die}) le ([indicates a change]) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:40)

20. Xiàn·dài (current · era) yǒu·xiē (has · some) pīpíng·jiā (criticizing · persons) pēng·jī (denouncing · attacking) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) chǔ·jué (punishing · executing) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · know [persons])   (→ [prophets]) zhèi (this) jiàn ([mw]) shì (matter) , zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) pīpíng (criticizing) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) méi·yǒu (not · {does have}) gēn·jù (root · evidence) ?

20 Xiàn·dài (current · era) yǒu·xiē (has · some) pīpíng·jiā (criticizing · persons) pēng·jī (denouncing · attacking) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) shang (upon) de (’s) bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing]) suǒ ({that which [it]}) dài·lái (brought · {to come}) de (’s) hòu·guǒ (afterwards · fruit)   (→ [consequence]) . Yǒu (have) rén (people) dān·xīn ({carrying on a shoulder pole} · heart)   (→ [worrying]) nèi·xiē (that · {number of}) yòng (use) bào·lì (violent · force) lái ({to come}) duì·fu ({to cope with} · {to hand sth. over to}) yì·jǐ ({different from} · selves [persons]) de (’) kuáng·rè (crazed · heated) fèn·zǐ ({part of the group} · persons) , huì (would) lì·yòng (advantageously · use) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) wèi (for) zìjǐ (selves) de (’) xíng·jìng (doing · path) biàn·hù ({to argue} · {to defend}) . Hěn ({very much}) yí·hàn (loss · regretting) , jīn·tiān (present · [day]) què·shí (certainly · solidly) yǒu (has) hěn (very) duō (many) zhèi (this) lèi ({kind of}) kuáng·rè (crazed · heated) de (’s) zōngjiào ([religion]) fèn·zǐ ({part of the group} · persons) , dàn (but) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) bìng (definitely) bú (not) shì (was) zōng·jiào ([of] {school of thought} · teaching)   (→ [religious]) kuáng ({crazed [person]}) , tā (he) shì (was) shòu ({had received}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) rèn·yòng (appointing · using) qù ({to go}) zhí·xíng ({to grasp} · {to do}) yí (one) xiàng ({item of}) gōng·zhèng (just · upright) de (’s) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) . Zài·shuō (further · saying) , zhēn (true) Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) míng·bai (understand · clearly) tāmen ([they]) bù·néng (not · can) xiàng (like) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) nà·yàng (that · [way]) , ná·qi (hold · up) jiàn (sword) lái ({to come}) shā·sǐ ({to kill} · {to be dead}) è·rén (wicked · people) . Yēsū (Jesus) zài ({was at}) dì·shang (earth · upon) shí (time) céng (had) duì (to) Bǐdé (Peter) shuō (said) : “ Bǎ (hold) jiàn (sword) shōu·huí ({to collect} · {to circle back to}) yuán·chù (original · place) ! Fán (all) ná (hold) jiàn (sword) de (’s) , dōu (all) huì (will) sǐ (die) zài (at) jiàn (sword) xià (under) .” ( Mǎtài (Matthew) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 26:52) Suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [there]} · have) zhēn (true) Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) dōu (all) àn ({according to}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) biāo·zhǔn (mark · standard) xíng·shì (do · things) , tāmen ([they]) huì (will) děnghòu (await) jiāng·lái ({going to} · come)   (→ [in the future]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) rèn·yòng ({will appoint} · {will use}) tā de ([his]) Ài·zǐ (beloved · Son) qù ({to go}) shēn·zhāng ({to extend} · {to spread}) gōng·zhèng ({being just} · {being upright}) .

21. Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) shì (is) zhēn (true) Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) de (’) hǎo (good) bǎng·yàng ({[from] list of successful candidates} · model)   (→ [example]) ?

21 Zhēn (true) Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) bìxū (must) zài (at) shēng·huó (life · living) shang (upon) xiǎn·chū (show · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) , fāng·fǎ (direction · method) zhī·yī (’s · one) shì (is) xiào·fǎ ({to imitate} · {to take as a model}) nèi·xiē (that · {number of}) xiàng (like) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · kind)   (→ [the same]) de (’s) zhōng·pú (loyal · servants) . (Yuēhàn (John) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 3:16) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) zhǐ (only) jìng·bài (respected · worshipped) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , bìng (simultaneously) dūn·cù (sincerely · urged) bié·ren (other · people) yě (also) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò ({to do}) . Sādàn (Satan) lì·yòng (advantageously · used) piàn·rén (deceived · people) de (’s) zōngjiào ([religions]) yòu·shǐ ({to lure} · {to cause}) rén (people) lí·qì ({to leave} · {to abandon}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , Yǐlìyà (Elijah) yǒng·gǎn (brave · daring) de (-ly) bǎ (held) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) xū·jiǎ (empty · false) de (’s) zōngjiào ([religions]) jiēfā ({to expose}) chu·lai ({to come out} · {to come}) . Tā (he) méi·yǒu (not · had) àn ({according to}) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) xīn·yì (heart · wish) huò (or) kào ({leaning on}) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) cái·gàn (talent · {being capable}) qù (gone) jiě·jué ({to solve} · {to decide}) wèn·tí (asking · problems) , ér·shì ({but [rather]} · was) xìn·lài (trusting · {relying on}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , ràng (letting) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) lái (come) jiě·jué ({to solve} · {to decide}) wèn·tí (asking · problems) . Yǐlìyà (Elijah) tǐng·shēn ({straightened up} · body) yōng·hù ({to support} · {to protect}) zhèng·què (right · true) de (’s) chóngbài (worship) . Yuàn (wish) wǒmen ([we]) rén·rén (person · person)   (→ [everyone]) dōu (all) xiào·fǎ ({will imitate} · {will take as a model}) tā (him) , tóng·yàng (same · [way]) xiǎn·chū ({will show} · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) hé (and) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) !

Yǐlìyà (Elijah’s) Rì·zi (day · [suf]) de (’s) Hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) Chí·xù·le ({had been maintained} · {had continued} · [to completion]) Duō ({[how] much}) Jiǔ ({for a long time}) ?

Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) xiàng (to) Yàhā (Ahab) Wáng (King) xuānbù (announced) , hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) hěn (very) kuài (quickly) jiù (then) huì (would) jié·shù (conclude · {get tied up}) . Hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) zài (at) “dì‐sān ([third]) nián (year) ” jié·shù (concluded · {got tied up}) , xiǎn·rán (evident·ly) shì (was) cóng (from) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) xuānbù (announced) jiāng ({was going to}) yǒu (have) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) de (’s) nèi (that) tiān ([day]) kāi·shǐ (opening · beginning) jì·suàn (counted · calculated) de (’s) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 18:1) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) xuānbù (announced) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) kuài·yào (quickly · must) jié·shù (conclude · {get tied up}) hòu ({after ←}) méi (not) duō (much) jiǔ ({for a long time}) , Shàng·dì (above’s · God) jiù (then) shǐ (caused) tiān (sky) jiàng·xia ({to drop} · down) yǔ (rain) lái ({to come}) . Yǒu·xiē (have · some) rén (people) rèn·wéi (identify · {to be}) , hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) shì (was) zài (at) dì‐sān ([third]) nián (year) zhī·nèi (it · inside) jié·shù (concluded · {got tied up}) de (’s) , yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) chí·xù ({had been maintained} · {had continued}) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) shǎo ({was less}) yú (than) sān (three) nián (years) . Dàn (but) Yēsū (Jesus) hé (and) Yǎgè (James) dōu ({each one}) shuō (says) , zhèi (this) cháng ([mw for happenings]) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) chí·xù·le ({had been maintained} · {had continued} · [to completion]) “ sān (three) nián (years) líng (zero) liù (six) ge ([mw]) yuè (months) ”. (Lùjiā (Luke) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 4:25; Yǎgè·shū (James · book) 5:17) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shì (are) bú (not) shì (are) zì·xiāng (selves · mutually) ‐ máo·dùn ({being spear} · {being shield})   (→ [contradictory]) ne?

Bú (not) shì (was) de (’s) . Zài (in) gǔ·dài (ancient · era) de (’s) Yǐsèliè (Israel) , hàn·jì ({dry spell} · season) zuì (most) cháng (long) kě (can) dá (reach) liù (six) ge ([mw]) yuè (months) . Dāng (when) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) qù (went) jiàn ({to see}) Yàhā (Ahab) Wáng (King) , xuānbù ({to announce}) huì (would) yǒu (have) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) shí (time) , hàn·jì ({dry spell} · season) qí·shí (its · actuality) yǐ (already) chí·xù·le ({had been maintained} · {had continued} · [to completion]) yí (one) duàn ({section of}) hěn (very) cháng (long) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) , kě·néng (may · {have been able}) yǒu ({to have had}) bàn (half) nián (year) le ([to completion]) , ér·qiě (and · moreover) qíngkuàng (situation) yán·zhòng ({was severe} · {was heavy}) . Zài (at) xuānbù ({had announced}) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) hòu ({after ←}) “dì‐sān ([third]) nián (year) ”, Yǐlìyà (Elijah) xuānbù (announced) hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) jié·shù ({would conclude} · {would get tied up}) . Zhè·shí ({[at] this} · time) , hàn·zāi (drought · calamity) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) chí·xù·le ({being maintained} · continuing · [to completion]) chà·bu·duō ({differing by} · not · much [from]) sān (three) nián (years) bàn ({[and a] half}) . Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , dāng (when) qúnzhòng (crowd) shàng ({was going up}) Jiāmì (Carmel) Shān (Mountain) , jiàn·zhèng ({to see} · evidence)   (→ [to witness]) shéi (who) shì (was) Zhēn·shén (true · God) de (’s) bǐ·shì (comparing · testing)   (→ [competing]) shí (time) , shí·jiān (time · within) yǐ (already) guò·le ({has passed} · [to completion]) zúzú (fully) “ sān (three) nián (years) líng (zero) liù (six) ge ([mw]) yuè (months) ”.

Lìng·wài (separately · outside) , qǐng (please) yě (also) xiǎngxiang ({think about}) Yǐlìyà (Elijah) qù (went) jiàn ({to see}) Yàhā (Ahab) Wáng (King) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) . Dāng·rì ({at those} · days) , chóngbài (worshipped) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) rén (people) xiāng·xìn ([it] · believed) Bālì (Baal) shì (was) “ jià·yún·zhě (pilots · clouds · person) ”, néng·gòu ({was able} · enough) cóng (from) tiān (sky) jiàng ({to bring down}) yǔ (rain) , zhōng·zhǐ (ending · stopping) hàn·jì ({dry spell} · season) . Yào·shi (if · {[it] was [that]}) hàn·jì ({dry spell} · season) bù (not) xúncháng ([ordinary]) de (-ly) yán·xù ({was prolonged} · continued) yí (one) duàn ({section of}) hěn (very) cháng (long) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) , rén·men (people · [pl]) zì·rán (natural·ly) huì (would) xiǎng (think) , “Bālì (Baal) jiū·jìng (investigated · {to the finish}) zài ({is at}) nǎ·li (which · inside)   (→ [where]) ? Tā (he) shénme ([what]) shíhou (time) cái ({only then}) huì (will) jiàng ({bring down}) yǔ (rains) ne?” Yǐlìyà (Elijah) jiù (exactly) zài (at) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) shíhou (time) shuō (said) , chú·fēi ({except if} · not)   (→ [unless]) zìjǐ (self) xuānbù (announced) hàn·jì ({dry spell} · season) zhōng·zhǐ ({would end} · {would stop}) , fǒu·zé (not · then) tiān (sky) bú·huì (not · will) jiàng ({bring down}) yǔ (rain) . Tā de ([his]) huà (words) bìdìng (certainly) lìng (caused) chóngbài (worshipped) Bālì (Baal) de (’s) rén (people) gǎn·dào ({to feel} · {arriving at}) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) zhèn·jīng (shocked · startled) . ( Liè·wáng·jì ({series of} · kings · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Kings]) 17:1) ˄ ˄

Qǐng (please) Xiǎngxiang ({think about}) …