弟兄中死了一个,众弟兄都当惧怕;一伙中死了一个,全伙都当惧怕。一说死的若是长者最可惧,一说死的若是幼者最可惧。
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——众弟兄都当惧怕,恐怕自己的死期也近了。
all of the brothers should be concerned, lest their death be approaching.
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照样,一伙人里若死了一个,那一伙人都当惧怕。
Similarly, if one member of a group dies, the entire group should be concerned.
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有人说:死的若是其中年长的,那最可惧。
Some say the concern is greatest if the eldest dies.
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他有那样的德行尚且免不了责罚,别人自然更难得救了。
If he, despite his virtues, could not avoid punishment, others will certainly not be saved.
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也有人说:死的若是其中年幼的,那最可惧,因为受罚总是从最微小的起头,或者这正是全伙受罚的开端。
And some say the concern is greatest if the youngest dies, because the least significant people are punished first, and perhaps this is the start of a punishment for the entire group.