< 箴言 21 >
The king's heart is in YHWH's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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 right in his own eyes, but YHWH weighs the hearts.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to YHWH than sacrifice.
4 傲慢的眼睛,驕傲的心靈,惡人的炫耀,無非是罪惡。
A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 以謊言偽語騙得的財寶,是浮雲輕煙,死亡的羅網。
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 惡人的暴戾,必殃及自身,因他們不肯去履行正義。
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 惡人的心靈,只求邪惡;對自己友伴,毫不關懷。
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy 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 mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives 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 One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 誰對窮人的哀求,充耳不聞,他呼求時,也不會得到應允。
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
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 pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
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 do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 貪愛享樂的人,必遭受窮困;喜愛酒油的人,必不會致富。
He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 惡人必將為義人作贖金,敗類也將替君子作代價。
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for 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 contentious and fretful 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 is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds 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 scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do not withhold.
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 brings it with a wicked mind.
28 作假見證的人,必要滅亡;但善於聽的人,纔可常言。
A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 邪惡的人,常裝腔作勢;正直的人,卻舉止檢點。
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against YHWH.
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 victory is with YHWH.