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。
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are 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 material comes out 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 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；
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place amongst 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 it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your 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﹖
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?
9 與你的近人，可自決爭端；他人的秘密，切不可洩漏；
Debate your case with your neighbour, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 免得人聽見了而譏笑你，使你的聲譽一敗塗地。
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
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 earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to 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 those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 許諾而不實踐的人，只好似無雨的風雲。
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 容忍可以折服公侯，柔語能以粉碎硬骨。
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 你找到蜂蜜，應按食量吃；怕吃的過多，反要吐出來。
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, 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 your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 作假見證陷害鄰舍的人，無異是鐵鎚、刀劍和利箭。
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
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 someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 對憂傷的心靈詠唱詩歌，無異在傷口處倒上酸醋。
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so 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. 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 you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 北風帶來時雨；讒言易惹怒容。
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
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 the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 來自遠方的喜信，無異口渴獲清泉。
Like cold water to a thirsty 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。
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives 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, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.
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 that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
