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 also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
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 thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 天有多高，地有多厚，王有何心，不可測量。
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 若將銀渣除去淨盡，銀匠必會造出銀器；
Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
5 若將君王前的惡人除掉，王座即可因正義而穩立。
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 你在君王前不可炫耀，不可佔有權貴的座位；
Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not 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 better is it that it be said unto thee: 'Come up hither', than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
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﹖
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 與你的近人，可自決爭端；他人的秘密，切不可洩漏；
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
10 免得人聽見了而譏笑你，使你的聲譽一敗塗地。
Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not 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。
As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient 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。
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
14 許諾而不實踐的人，只好似無雨的風雲。
As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
15 容忍可以折服公侯，柔語能以粉碎硬骨。
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 你找到蜂蜜，應按食量吃；怕吃的過多，反要吐出來。
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 鄰舍的住家，你應少踏入；怕他討厭你，反而憎恨你。
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
18 作假見證陷害鄰舍的人，無異是鐵鎚、刀劍和利箭。
As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
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。
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 對憂傷的心靈詠唱詩歌，無異在傷口處倒上酸醋。
As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth 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 thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be 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 thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
23 北風帶來時雨；讒言易惹怒容。
The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 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 the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
25 來自遠方的喜信，無異口渴獲清泉。
As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 義人如在惡人面前失足，無異弄混的水泉，弄濁的水井。
As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before 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 much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not 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 broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
