箴言 21
1 君王的心在上主手裏，有如水流，可隨意轉移。
Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he turn it.
2 人對自己的行為，都自覺正直；但審察人心的，卻是上主。
Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 秉公行義，比獻祭獻更悅上主。
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 傲慢的眼睛，驕傲的心靈，惡人的炫耀，無非是罪惡。
Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
5 熟思的人，必足以致富；草率的人，必貧困纏身。
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] only to want.
6 以謊言偽語騙得的財寶，是浮雲輕煙，死亡的羅網。
The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
7 惡人的暴戾，必殃及自身，因他們不肯去履行正義。
The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
8 惡人的道路，歪曲邪僻；正人的行為，正直適中。
Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9 寧願住在屋頂的一角，不願與吵婦同居一室。
It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy house.
10 惡人的心靈，只求邪惡；對自己友伴，毫不關懷。
The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
11 輕狂人遭受處罰，幼稚者將得明智；智慧人接受教訓，更增加自己知識。
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
12 正義的上主監視惡人的家，且使惡人們都陷於災禍中。
The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
13 誰對窮人的哀求，充耳不聞，他呼求時，也不會得到應允。
Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 暗中相送的饋贈，可平息忿怒；投入懷中的禮物，可平息狂怒。
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
15 秉公行義，能叫義人喜樂；但為作惡的人，卻是恐懼。
It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
16 凡遠離明智道路的人，必居於幽靈的集會中。
The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 貪愛享樂的人，必遭受窮困；喜愛酒油的人，必不會致富。
He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
18 惡人必將為義人作贖金，敗類也將替君子作代價。
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
19 與好爭易怒的女人同居，倒不如獨自住在曠野裏。
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 珍貴的寶藏和油，積藏在智者家裏；但糊塗愚昧的人，卻將之消耗淨盡。
There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
21 追求正義和仁慈的人，必將獲得生命與尊榮。
He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 智者必登上勇士的城邑，攻破城邑所憑倚的保壘。
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
23 誰謹守自己的口舌，心靈必能免受煩惱。
Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
24 高傲的人名叫「狂人」，他行事必極端蠻橫。
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
25 怠惰人的手不肯操作，必為他的願望所扼殺。
The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 貪婪的人，終日貪婪；正義的人，廣施不吝。
All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 惡人的祭獻，已是可憎；若懷惡而獻，更將如何﹖
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
28 作假見證的人，必要滅亡；但善於聽的人，纔可常言。
A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
29 邪惡的人，常裝腔作勢；正直的人，卻舉止檢點。
A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
30 任何智慧、才略或計謀，都不能與上主相對抗。
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 招兵買馬，是為作作戰之日；但是勝利，卻由上主指使。
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
