< 箴言 27 >
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 只應讓人讚美你,你不應開口自誇;讚你的該是他人,不該是你的唇舌。
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.
A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
4 憤怒固然殘酷,暴怒更是猛烈;可是面對妒恨,有誰能夠抵受﹖
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 人若吃飽了,蜂蜜也厭惡;若肚子饑餓,苦物也甘甜。
The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
9 香油和香料,能暢快人心;朋友的勸勉,能撫慰人靈。
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
10 你的知心朋友,你父親的至交,你切不可離棄;在你憂患的時日,不要進兄弟的家。靠近的鄰舍,勝於遠地的兄弟。
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11 我兒,作個智慧人,使我心高興,好叫我回答笑罵我的人。
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
12 精明人遇見災禍,即行隱避;無知者反向前走,自招損害。
The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
13 誰為外方人作保,拿出他的衣服;誰為異族人作保,以他本人作質。
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
15 豪雨的時日,滴漏不已:好吵的女人,也是如此;
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
16 誰願意攔阻她,無異攔阻狂風,又好似右手抓油。
restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
18 看守無花果樹的,必食其果;護守自己主人的,必受器重。
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
20 陰府和冥域,總填不滿;世人的眼睛,從不滿足。 (Sheol )
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (Sheol )
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 你盡可在臼中將愚人舂碎,但他的昏愚卻永不能剷除。
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23 對你羊群的情況,應加注意;對你的家畜,應常留心照料;
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
25 割去了乾草,青草又叢生;山間的野草,也收集起來;
When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,
the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you— food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.