箴言 25
1 以下也是撒羅滿的箴言，由猶大王希則克雅的人所蒐集：
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 將事隱蔽，是天主的光榮；清察事實，是君王的光榮。
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
3 天有多高，地有多厚，王有何心，不可測量。
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4 若將銀渣除去淨盡，銀匠必會造出銀器；
Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5 若將君王前的惡人除掉，王座即可因正義而穩立。
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 你在君王前不可炫耀，不可佔有權貴的座位；
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 因為人對你說「請上座! 」比在貴前受抑更好。
for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
8 你眼若有所見，不可冒然訴訟；人若使你難堪，你將何以善後﹖
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 與你的近人，可自決爭端；他人的秘密，切不可洩漏；
Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
10 免得人聽見了而譏笑你，使你的聲譽一敗塗地。
lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
11 一句簡單話，若說得適當，有如銀盤中，放上金蘋果。
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 明智的勸戒，對受教的人，無異於金環，或純金美飾。
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
13 忠誠的使者，對遣他的人，有如秋收時，吹來的涼風，使他主人的心感到愉快。
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 許諾而不實踐的人，只好似無雨的風雲。
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15 容忍可以折服公侯，柔語能以粉碎硬骨。
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 你找到蜂蜜，應按食量吃；怕吃的過多，反要吐出來。
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17 鄰舍的住家，你應少踏入；怕他討厭你，反而憎恨你。
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18 作假見證陷害鄰舍的人，無異是鐵鎚、刀劍和利箭。
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 在患難之日，信賴無信用的人，有如信賴蛀壞的牙，脫節的腳。
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 對憂傷的心靈詠唱詩歌，無異在傷口處倒上酸醋。
Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 若仇人餓了，你要給他吃；若是他渴了，應給他水喝：
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 這是將火炭堆在他頭上，上主也必要因此還報你。
For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 北風帶來時雨；讒言易惹怒容。
As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24 寧願住在屋頂的一角，不願與吵婦同居一室。
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 來自遠方的喜信，無異口渴獲清泉。
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 義人如在惡人面前失足，無異弄混的水泉，弄濁的水井。
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27 吃蜂蜜過多，有損無益；過於求光榮，反而受累。
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
28 人若不控制自己的脾氣，就如一座無牆無防的城市。
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
