自強之路

The Natural-law Argument
Then there is a very common argument from natural law. That was a favorite argument all through the eighteenth century, especially under the influence of Sir Isaac Newton and his cosmogony. People observed the planets going around the sun according to the law of gravitation, and they thought that God had given a behest to these planets to move in that particular fashion, and that was why they did so. That was, of course, a convenient and simple explanation that saved them the trouble of looking any further for explanations of the law of gravitation. Nowadays we explain the law of gravitation in a somewhat complicated fashion that Einstein has introduced. I do not propose to give you a lecture on the law of gravitation, as interpreted by Einstein, because that again would take some time; at any rate, you no longer have the sort of natural law that you had in the Newtonian system, where, for some reason that nobody could understand, nature behaved in a uniform fashion. We now find that a great many things we thought were natural laws are really human conventions. You know that even in the remotest depths of stellar space there are still three feet to a yard. That is, no doubt, a very remarkable fact, but you would hardly call it a law of nature. And a great many things that have been regarded as laws of nature are of that kind. On the other hand, where you can get down to any knowledge of what atoms actually do, you will find they are much less subject to law than people thought, and that the laws at which you arrive are statistical averages of just the sort that would emerge from chance. There is, as we all know, a law that if you throw dice you will get double sixes only about once in thirty-six times, and we do not regard that as evidence that the fall of the dice is regulated by design; on the contrary, if the double sixes came every time we should think that there was design. The laws of nature are of that sort as regards a great many of them. They are statistical averages such as would emerge from the laws of chance; and that makes this whole business of natural law much less impressive than it formerly was. Quite apart from that, which represents the momentary state of science that may change tomorrow, the whole idea that natural laws imply a lawgiver is due to a confusion between natural and human laws. Human laws are behests commanding you to behave a certain way, in which you may choose to behave, or you may choose not to behave; but natural laws are a description of how things do in fact behave, and being a mere description of what they in fact do, you cannot argue that there must be somebody who told them to do that, because even supposing that there were, you are then faced with the question "Why did God issue just those natural laws and no others?" If you say that he did it simply from his own good pleasure, and without any reason, you then find that there is something which is not subject to law, and so your train of natural law is interrupted. If you say, as more orthodox theologians do, that in all the laws which God issues he had a reason for giving those laws rather than others -- the reason, of course, being to create the best universe, although you would never think it to look at it -- if there were a reason for the laws which God gave, then God himself was subject to law, and therefore you do not get any advantage by introducing God as an intermediary. You really have a law outside and anterior to the divine edicts, and God does not serve your purpose, because he is not the ultimate lawgiver. In short, this whole argument about natural law no longer has anything like the strength that it used to have. I am traveling on in time in my review of the arguments. The arguments that are used for the existence of God change their character as time goes on. They were at first hard intellectual arguments embodying certain quite definite fallacies. As we come to modern times they become less respectable intellectually and more and more affected by a kind of moralizing vagueness. 

自然法則

The Existence of God
To come to this question of the existence of God: it is a large and serious question, and if I were to attempt to deal with it in any adequate manner I should have to keep you here until Kingdom Come, so that you will have to excuse me if I deal with it in a somewhat summary fashion. You know, of course, that the Catholic Church has laid it down as a dogma that the existence of God can be proved by the unaided reason. That is a somewhat curious dogma, but it is one of their dogmas. They had to introduce it because at one time the freethinkers adopted the habit of saying that there were such and such arguments [where] mere reason might urge against the existence of God, but of course they knew as a matter of faith that God did exist. The arguments and the reasons were set out at great length, and the Catholic Church felt that they must stop it. Therefore they laid it down that the existence of God can be proved by the unaided reason and they had to set up what they considered were arguments to prove it. There are, of course, a number of them, but I shall take only a few. 

上帝的存在

Why I Am Not A Christian 
by Bertrand Russell

為何我不是基督徒？

應哲瑋之邀，著手了解十九世紀英國大哲學家羅素生平及著作。何故如此？此大哲學家於邏輯、哲學、數學、文學、社會學、及政治學無所不精，1950 年諾貝爾文學獎得主，其思想立論堪為 20 世紀知識之洪流砥柱，；1927 年 3 月 6 日於英國 Battersea，羅氏應國家濟世學會 (National Secular Society) 之邀，發表一篇名為【為何我不是基督徒？】之演說，由於該標題明確表示其信仰態度，以羅氏之學養見識，其影響所及，不言自喻。

我為罪人，信主愛主。身命低微，賤稗殘穗，蒙主救贖，甘為僕役，惟尚且不配。初見此篇，不無震撼。竊想如羅氏之大家，人中俊傑，尚有此言，豈泛黎之鄉談，莽夫之謬論，不值一哂？故計畫自今起詳細精讀此文，並將羅氏自生平經歷至其思想系統，做一統整性之研究。然全文以英文寫成，用字精鍊典雅，中文讀者咀嚼不易；又由於該篇論文於人類思想歸趨，實影響至鉅，茲事體大，又因市面上該文諸多譯本，偶有誤譯疵漏，故毅然斗膽修改重譯，並分段附註其可能的論證架構及原文，段末再加上本人對該段之疑問與淺見。

44833, another chop suey? Nay! What can this figure mean to you? Well, it is nothing if it is a sum of dollar bills in your safe; it is even a pity if it is the number of your hair. However, when it comes to the total pagination an author has to write during his or her whole life, it would be unprecedented sensation. 44833 pages of productivity and creativity, compiled into 124 publications, allegedly inspired by God and written by a 19 century Adventist writer, Ellen G. White (1827 - 1915) in her whole life, hailed as a modern prophet of Lord spreading the ideas of missionaries worldwide, is another one of the most incredible I've ever known so far and by far. Here are the books Mrs. White published:

Acts of the Apostles, 1911. 633 pp. Lessons drawn from the experiences and writings of the apostles. Study guide available. The Adventist Home, 1952. 583 pp. Instruction relating to marriage, the home, and care and rearing of the family. Angels, 1995. 144 pp. Compilation of quotations on angels. Assurance, 1995. 144 pp. Compilation of quotations on assurance. Can We Know God? 32 pp. Two chapters drawn from Steps to Christ. Child Guidance, 1954. 616 pp. Child care, training, and education. Christ Triumphant, 1999. 384 pp. Devotional book for 2000. Christ's Object Lessons, 1900. 436 pp. The parables of Jesus and their lessons. Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, 1922. 268 pp. Introduces the life and teachings of Ellen White. Christian Service, 1925. 283 pp. How individuals and churches can be more effective in Christian service and winning souls to Christ. Colporteur Ministry, 1953. 176 pp. A handbook for literature evangelists. Comfort, 1996. 142 pp. Compilation of quotations on comfort. Conflict and Courage, 1970. 381 pp. Devotional book for 1971. Confrontation, 1971. 93 pp. Ellen White's most complete treatment of Christ's temptation in the wilderness. Published as a series of articles in the Review and Herald in 1874 and 1875. Counsels for the Church, 1991. 462 pp. The best of Ellen White's instruction on Christian living, the home, health, and the coming conflict, brought together in one volume. Counsels on Diet and Foods, 1938. 511 pp. A reference book of Ellen White's counsels on how one's diet relates to healthful living. Counsels on Education, 1968. 312 pp. Twenty-six articles drawn from the nine volumes of the Testimonies. Counsels on Health, 1923. 697 pp. Counsels on diet, physical activity, sanitariums, physicians, nurses, and health principles. Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 1938. 192 pp. Topically arranged counsel for those involved in Sabbath School work. Counsels on Stewardship, 1940, 372 pp. Presents the philosophy and principles involved in the Christian's relationship to money and property. Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 1913. 575 pp. Counsels on higher education, home schools, church schools, study and labor, the teacher, recreation, etc. Counsels to Writers and Editors, 1946. 192 pp. Principles of Christian book and periodical editing. Country Living, 1946. 32 pp. Instruction on the advantages of a rural environment. Darkness Before Dawn, 1997. 62 pp. Information about where our world is headed. Daughters of God, 1998. 275 pp. Compilation of messages especially for women. The Desire of Ages, 1898. 866 pp. A presentation of the life and ministry of our Lord, with spiritual application for today. Early Writings, 1882. 266 pp. Ellen White's first book, initially published in 1851, 1854, and 1858. Education, 1903. 321 pp. Biblical principles of Christian education designed for parents and teachers. Ellen G. White 1888 Materials (4 vols.), 1988. 1,821 pp. Contains all of Ellen White's references to the 1888 Minneapolis Conference. Ellen G. White Review and Herald Articles, vol. 1, 1962. 576 pp. Ellen White articles published in the Review and Herald from 1849 to 1885. Ellen G. White Review and Herald Articles, vol. 2. 624 pp. From 1886 to 1892. Ellen G. White Review and Herald Articles, vol. 3. 636 pp. From 1893 to 1898. Ellen G. White Review and Herald Articles, vol. 4. 590 pp. From 1899 to 1903. Ellen G. White Review and Herald Articles, vol. 5. 572 pp. From 1904 to1 909. Ellen G. White Review and Herald Articles, vol. 6. 576 pp. From 1910 to 1915. Ellen G. White Signs of the Times Articles, vol. 1, 1974. 514 pp. From 1874 to 1885. Ellen G. White Signs of the Times Articles, vol. 2. 527 pp. From 1886 to 1892. Ellen G. White Signs of the Times Articles, vol. 3. 525 pp. From 1893 to 1898. Ellen G. White Signs of the Times Articles, vol. 4. 557 pp. From 1899 to 1915. Ellen G. White Youth's Instructor Articles, 1986. 640 pp. From 1852 to 1914. Evangelism, 1946. 747 pp. A handbook for personal and public evangelism. Faith and Works, 1979. 122 pp. Nineteen Ellen White sermons and articles on the subject of righteousness by faith. The Faith I Live By, 1958. 384 pp. Devotional book for 1959. Fundamentals of Christian Education, 1923. 576 pp. Seventy-four articles, arranged chronologically from 1872 to 1915. God Has Promised, 1982. 64 pp. A collection of Ellen White quotations for those who are lonely, discouraged, sick, etc. God's Amazing Grace, 1973. 383 pp. Devotional book for 1974. God's Remnant Church, 1950. 63 pp. Counsel relevant to the life of the church. Gospel Workers, 1915. 534 pp. Covers the minister's qualifications, the minister in the pulpit, conference responsibilities, etc. The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan, 1888, revised 1911. 678 pp. The conflict between Christ and Satan from the destruction of Jerusalem to the close of the millennium. The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached, 1955. 172 pp. From Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing. Happiness Digest. A 64-page illustrated edition of Steps to Christ. Study guide available. Happiness Homemade, 1971. 188 pp. Abridged edition of The Adventist Home. He Taught Love, 1987. 93 pp. From Christ's Object Lessons. Heal the World, 1997. 191 pp. A youth edition of The Ministry of Healing (condensed). Heaven, 2003. 192 pp. Choice quotations about heaven and the new earth. In Heavenly Places, 1967. 382 pp. Devotional book for 1968. Helps in Daily Living, 1964. 51 pp. From The Ministry of Healing. Here I Am Lord, 1996. 112 pp. Prayers of Ellen White. How to Get Along With Others, 1964. 32 pp. Two chapters taken from Life at Its Best and The Ministry of Healing. Joy, 1996. 144. A compilation of quotations on joy. Last Day Events, 1992. 330 pp. Instruction regarding the end time. Letters to Young Lovers, 1983. 94 pp. Letters to young people who are contemplating marriage. Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 1915. 480 pp. An autobiography of Ellen White's life to 1881. The sketch of her subsequent labors (pp 255-480) was prepared by C. C. Crisler. Lift Him Up, 1988. 382 pp. Devotional book for 1989. Manuscript Releases, vols.1-21. Contains previously unpublished materials drawn from Ellen White's letters and manuscripts. Maranatha, 1976. 382 pp. Devotional book for 1977. Medical Ministry, 1932. 348 pp. Instruction for Christian physicians and SDA medical institutions. Message from Calvary, 1981. 64 pp. From The Desire of Ages. Messages to Young People, 1930. 502 pp. Selections to aid the youth in practical Christian living. Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, 1978. 369 pp. A wide range of counsel on such topics as the Christian and psychology, self-respect, and human sexuality. Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 1978. 443 pp. Additional counsel on the relationship between body and mind, dangerous systems of therapy, and healthy personalities. The Ministry of Healing, 1905. 541pp. Instruction on the principles of healthful living, natural remedies, the care of the sick, positive Christian living, and ministering to others. My Life Today, 1952. 377 pp. Devotional book for 1953. Our High Calling, 1961. 380 pp. Devotional book for 1962. Patriarchs and Prophets, 1890. 762 pp. Lessons from the Old Testament story beginning with Genesis and the creation to the close of David's reign. Peace, 1997. 143 pp. A compilation of quotations on peace. Peace Above the Storm, 1994. 98 pp. Devotional edition of Steps to Christ. Peter's Counsels to Parents, 1981. 63 pp. Lessons drawn from 2 Peter 1 relating to the challenges of parenting. Prayer, 2002. 320 pp. Topically arranged instruction on prayer. Praying for Others, 1997. 143 pp. A compilation of quotations on intercessory prayer. Promises for the Last Days, 1994. 155 pp. A collection of promises taken from over 40 Ellen White sources and divided into 37 areas. Prophets and Kings, 1917. 733 pp. Lessons from the Old Testament beginning with life of Solomon to the last prophetic book. The Publishing Ministry, 1983. 430 pp. Section titles include "Early History of the Publishing Work," "Perils Facing Publishing-House Leaders," "Counsels for Marketing Church Literature," etc. Reflecting Christ, 1985. 382 pp. Devotional book for 1986. The Retirement Years, 1990. 240 pp. A practical source of guidance to people of retirement years gleaned from letters, manuscripts, books, and periodical articles. The Sanctified Life, 1937. 110 pp. Articles originally published in the Review and Herald in 1881, and Christian living. Selected Messages, book 1, 1958. 448 pp. Instruction on a variety of subjects, including the inspiration of the prophetic writers, revival and reformation, the Alpha and the Omega, Christ our righteousness, etc. Selected Messages, book 2, 1958. 512 pp. Instruction on such topics as false prophets, secret societies, assurance to those facing death, the use of drugs, the military question, the future of the church, etc.. Selected Messages, book 3, 1980. 510 pp. Includes instruction on how Ellen White's books were prepared, the proper age of school entrance, the dateline, the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference, and last day events. Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 1990. 405 pp. Ellen White sermons drawn from previously unpublished manuscripts. Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, 1992. Forty-seven additional sermons delivered by Ellen White, including her last recorded sermon in 1913. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.7-A, 1970. 692 pp. All the Ellen White quotations included as supplementary material in the seven volumes of the SDA Bible Commentary, plus the Ellen White statements in Questions on Doctrine on Christ's nature, the Trinity, and the Atonement. Sketches From the Life of Paul, 1883. 334 pp. From "Saul the Persecutor," to "Martyrdom of Paul and Peter." Sons and Daughters of God, 1955. 383 pp. The 1956 devotional book. The Southern Work, 1966. 96 pp. Nine articles published in the Review and Herald in 1895 and 1896, plus excerpts from Ellen White letters, originally published to stir the church to fulfill its mission in reaching the former slaves living in the southern United States. Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I, 1870. 414 pp. The Old Testament story from the fall of Satan and creation to the time of Solomon. Later expanded as Patriarchs and Prophets. Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. II, 1877. 396 pp. The life of Christ from His birth to the beginning of Passion Week. Later expanded as The Desire of Ages. Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. III, 1878. 442 pp. The life of Christ from the beginning of Passion Week to His ascension. Also the history of the church recorded in Acts 1-17. Later expanded as The Desire of Ages and Acts of the Apostles. Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. IV, 1884. 506 pp. The controversy between Christ and Satan from the destruction of Jerusalem to the close of the millennium. Later expanded as The Great Controversy. Spiritual Gifts, Vols. I and II, 1858 and 1860. 523 pp. Volume I is Ellen White's first account of the great controversy story, from the fall of Satan to the close of the millennium. Volume II is Ellen White' s autobiography to the year 1860. Spiritual Gifts, Vols. III and IV, 1864. 622 pp. Vol. III is the Old Testament narrative from Genesis 1 to Exodus 20. Volume IV-a covers the period from Sinai to Solomon and has an account of Ellen White's first health vision. Vol. IV-b contains her first ten testimonies, now all published in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1. Steps to Christ, 1892. 126 pp. Ellen White's classic on the provisions of salvation and practical Christian living. Steps to Jesus, 1981. 125 pp. A simplified version of Steps to Christ, prepared for those whose mother tongue is not English. The Story of Redemption, 1947. 445 pp. The great controversy story from the fall of Lucifer to the close of the millennium, compiled into one volume. Drawn from Spirit of Prophecy, Vols. I, III, and IV, Early Writings, and one periodical article. Temperance, 1949. 309 pp. Section titles are "The Philosophy of Intemperance," "Alcohol and Society," "Tobacco," "Rehabilitating the Intemperate," etc. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 1885. 758 pp. Counsel from Ellen White containing spiritual guidance of a general nature and covering a wide variety of situations-including many letters written personally to members of the church. Volume 1 comprises Testimonies Numbers 1-14, written from 1855 to 1868, and a 100-page biographical sketch of the author. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 1885. 764 pp. Comprises Testimonies Numbers 15-20, written from 1868 to 1871. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, 1885, 627 pp. Comprises Testimonies Numbers 21-25, written from 1872 to 1875. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 1885. 731 pp. Comprises Testimonies Numbers 26-30, written from 1876 to 1881. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 1889. 826 pp. Comprises Testimonies Numbers 31, 32, and 33, originally published in 1882, 1885, and 1889. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 1900. 534 pp. Designated Testimony Number 34. Testimonies for the Church, vol.7, 1902. 337 pp. Designated Testimony Number 35. Includes a major section on the publishing work. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, 1904, 372 pp. Designated Testimony Number 36. Published to meet the false teachings of pantheism. Testimonies for the Church, vol .9, 1909, 325 pp. Designated Testimony Number 37. Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 1989. 271 pp. Prepared especially for church administrators and other ministers who must deal with questionable or immoral conduct. Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 1923. 566 pp. Counsels initially published in pamphlets and periodical articles, particularly Special Testimonies, Series A (1892-1897) and Special Testimonies, Series B (1903-1913). That I May Know Him, 1964. 382 pp. The 1965 devotional book. This Day With God, 1979. 384 pp. The 1980 devotional book. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 1896. 152 pp. Lessons Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. The Truth About Angels, 1996. 314 pp. A compilation of Ellen White statements according to the Biblical sequence of events revealing angelic activity. The Upward Look, 1982. 383 pp. The 1983 devotional book. The Voice in Speech and Song, 1988. 480 pp. Topics include effective methods of public speaking and singing as a part of worship. Welfare Ministry, 1952. 349 pp. A handbook on neighborhood evangelism and practical Christian ministry in behalf of the unfortunate. Ye Shall Receive Power, 1995. 382 pp. Devotional book for 1996. Your Mind and Your Health. Two chapters taken from The Ministry of Healing-discussing the relationship of the mind and body to mental health.

I've slightly revised some minute grammatical, semantic, and syntactic overlook in this article, which would be more enlightening and inspiring, a must-read from tip to toe. Sorry again to the original author to forgive my bit-taking in the teeth.

 God : Hello. Did you call me?
 Me: Called you? No.. Who is this ?

English version: 3. Yet it means not inward repentance only; nay, there is no inward repentance which does not outwardly work divers mortifications of the flesh.
Original translation: 3. 但它也並非僅僅意味著內心懺悔，若無各種外部的苦行，亦無效能。
My translation: 3. 但非僅止於內心懺悔；懲忿治欲，向善力行，亦應隨之而來。
Notation: Mortifications here can not necessarily be meant solely as ‘penance’ practiced by medieval friars or monastic.

以下各論綱，個人認為譯文部分及理論基礎尚有待商榷者，暫以粗黑體標示，待下次再將拙譯與英文版呈上，以便比對參照：

It was in the year 1610 that the Spanish founded a town that is now known as Santa Fe, the capitol of the state of New Mexico. Santa Fe was originally called the Royal City of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi or, as it was named in Spanish, La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Assisi. It was occupied by Indians, Mexicans, and Spanish and was under Spanish control until a war which placed this area under the rule of the New Republic of Mexico for 25 years.

Later, As a result of the US victory in the Mexican war, this southwest area was ceded to the United States in 1848. Following the war we find the city of Santa Fe having a multiplicity of cultures. Native American Indian, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo cultures provide a rich, varied and very colorful heritage.

Here are 27 "golden rules" summarized from Proverbs according to my organizing:

1. What can we get from Proverbs? What are the benefits? 1:1-7

我的孩子︰


你或許不認識我，我卻認識你的一切。詩139:1

1 Timothy
1:5-7 The whole point of what we're urging is simply love - love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into cul-de-sacs of gossip.
8-11 The moral guidance and counsel of course need to be given, but it is more important to know how we say them and whom we say them to along with what we should say, especially for those who are riding roughshod over God, and who are contemptuous of  great Message.
12-14 The only thing Paul took as a response to the credentials

15:15 Jesus is our best friend!
15:25 Ps 35:19, 69:4
16:7 Holy Spirit would not come until Jesus went back to Father.
16:8 Holy Spirit helps us understand what real truth is, what real justice is, and helps those who still don't believe in God realize the true love of God and be willing to make up with Him again. "When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted."

8:11 Oh, my Lord! My dear heavenly Father! Let me praise You for not deserting me, forgiving my pathetique soul, and granting me the eternal life.
8:17 Dt 17:6, 19:15
8:20 "He gave this speech in the Treasury while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him because his time wasn't yet up." God has all this taken care. It is all in God's plan. And of course, it is beyond our perception.
8:24 Jesus said, "You're tied down to the mundane; I'm in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I'm living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You're at a dead end. If you won't believe I am who I say I am, you're at the dead end of sins. You're missing God in your lives." 你們若不信我是基督，必要死在罪中。

1:3-5 Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out.
1:15 Malachi 3:1
1:18 This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day. It is God's style - low-profiled, tolerant, and full of kindness.
1:23 Isaiah 40:3

The Essence of True Romantic Love:

1. Love makes one heady, and the feeling is so sweet. 1:2, 4:9-10, 7:6-9

1:2 Achaia, a province of Roman Empire, in the south of Macedonia, part of today's Greek
1:8 Asia, a province of Roman Empire, in today's western Turkey, where Paul suffered so badly that he didn't think he's gonna make it...
1:8 "We" referrs to Paul himself. It was a custom and way of writing in loyal family or journals as first person single being written as plural.
1:23 "As God is my witness, the only reason I didn't come was to spare you pain. I was being considerate of you, not indifferent, not manipulative."

1:17 Paul didn't use some fancy rhetoric of his own words to persuade people to believe in Jesus, lest the powerful action at the center - Jesus Christ - be trvialized into mere words.
1:19 Isa 29:14
1:20 Isa 19:12

37:2 Josef brought bad news on them. - a good reason for his half brothers to hate him more.
37:35 Hebrew "sheol" means "grave", or "陰間". It's long been arguing if there should be a place for the dead to stay.
38:7 Will God interfere when people commit evil? Yes, if He could not bear it.
38:12 "comfort" means "when the time of mourning was over..."