A farmer purchases an old, run-down, abandoned farm with plans to turn it into a thriving enterprise. The fields are grown over with weeds, the farmhouse¹ is falling apart, and the fences are collapsing² all around.

 

During his first day of work, the town preacher stops by to bless the man's work, saying, "May you and God work together to make this the farm of your dreams!"

 

A few months later, the preacher stops by again to call on the farmer. Look and behold³. It's like a completely different place -- the farmhouse is completely rebuilt and in excellent condition, there are plenty of cattle and other livestock⁴ happily munching⁵ on feed in well-fenced pens, and the fields are filled with crops planted in neat rows. "Amazing!" the preacher says. "Look what God and you have accomplished⁶ together!"

 

"Yes, reverend," says the farmer, "but remember what the farm was like when God was working it alone!"　

 

一个农民买了一块破旧、荒废的农场，他计划着把农场改造成一座欣欣向荣的园林。农场目前的状况是杂草遍布，房屋破旧不堪，四周的篱笆也东倒西歪。

 

在他着手改造的第一天，一个城里的传教士停下来祝福他：“愿上帝与你一起实现你的梦想！”

 

过了几个月，那个传教士又一次来拜访农民。驻足观看，这里发生了天翻地覆的变化：房屋重新被整修过，条件也优于从前，成群的牛羊正在欢快地吃着青草，地里的庄稼也成排地生长着。“太不可思议了，”传教士惊呼道，“看啊，上帝和你一起实现了你的梦想！”

 

“是的，教士，”那个农民说道：“可你别忘了，当初这个农场只由上帝一人管理时是个什么样子！”

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