< 箴言 3 >
My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.
3 不要讓慈祥和忠實離棄你,要將她們繫在你的頸上,刻在你的心版上;
Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favour, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
Honour the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase;
10 這樣,你的倉廩必充滿糧食,你的榨酒池必盈溢新酒。
so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 我兒,不要輕視上主的懲戒,也不要厭惡他的譴責,
My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;
12 因為上主譴責他所愛的,有如父親譴責他的愛子。
for whom the LORD loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
14 因為賺得智慧勝於賺得銀錢;智慧的果實勝於純金。
For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
15 智慧比珍珠還要寶貴;凡你所貪求的,都不足以與她倫比。
She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
18 她為掌握她的人,是一株生命樹;凡堅持她的,必將納福。
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
20 賴他的智識,深淵纔裂口噴水,雲彩纔降下甘露。
By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
21 我兒,你應保持明智和慎重,不要讓她們離開你的視線:
My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.
Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.
24 你若坐下,必無所恐懼;你若躺下,必睡得甘甜。
When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 你決不怕驟然而來的恐怖,也不怕惡人突然而至的摧殘,
Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes;
for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.
27 你若有能力作到,不要拒絕向有求於你的人行善;
Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 如果你能即刻作到,不要對你的近人說:「去! 明天再來,我纔給你。」
Don’t say to your neighbour, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.
Don’t devise evil against your neighbour, since he dwells securely by you.
Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.
Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.
The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.
The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.