< 箴言 1 >

1 以色列王達味之子撒羅滿的箴言:
The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 是為教人學習智慧和規律,叫人明瞭哲言,
To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding.
3 接受明智的教訓--仁義、公平和正直,
To receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity.
4 使無知者獲得聰明,使年少者獲得知識和慎重,
To give shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to the young man.
5 使智慧者聽了,增加學識;使明達人聽了,汲取智謀,
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will attain to sound counsel.
6 好能明瞭箴言和譬喻,明瞭智者的言論和他們的隱語。
To understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
7 敬畏上主是智慧的肇基;只有愚昧人蔑視智慧和規律。
The fear of YHWH is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8 我兒,你應聽你父親的教訓,不要拒絕你母親的指教,
My son, listen to your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching:
9 因為這就是你頭上的冠冕,你頸上的珠鏈。
for they will be a garland to grace your head, and a necklace around your neck.
10 我兒,如果惡人勾引你,你不要聽從;
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
11 如果他們說:「來跟我們去暗算某人,無故地陷害無辜。
If they say, "Come with us, Let's lie in wait for blood; let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12 我們要像陰府一樣活活地吞下他們,把他們整個吞下去,有如墮入深坑裏的人; (Sheol h7585)
let's swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. (Sheol h7585)
13 這樣,我們必獲得各種珍寶,以贓物充滿我們的房屋。
We'll find all valuable wealth. We'll fill our houses with spoil.
14 你將與我們平分秋色,我們將共有同一錢囊。」
Throw in your lot with us. We'll all have one purse."
15 我兒,你不要與他們同流合污,該使你的腳遠離他們的道路,
My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path,
16 因為他們雙腳趨向兇惡,急於傾流人血。
for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood.
17 在一切飛鳥眼前,張設羅網,盡屬徒然。
For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:
18 其實,他們不外是自流己血,自害己命。
but these lie in wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 這就是謀財害命者的末路:他必要送掉自己的性命。
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.
20 智慧在街上吶喊,在通衢發出呼聲;
Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
21 在熱鬧的街頭呼喚,在城門和市區發表言論:「
She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
22 無知的人,你們喜愛無知;輕狂的人,你們樂意輕狂;愚昧的人,你們憎恨知識,要到何時呢﹖
"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
23 你們應回心聽我的勸告。看,我要向你們傾吐我的心意,使你們瞭解我的言詞。
Turn at my reproof. Look, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.
24 但是,我呼喚了,你們竟予以拒絕;我伸出了手,誰也沒有理會。
Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
25 你們既蔑視了我的勸告,沒有接受我的忠言;
but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof;
26 因此,你們遭遇不幸時,我也付之一笑;災難臨到你們身上時,我也一笑置之。
I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you;
27 當災難如暴風似的襲擊你們,禍害如旋風似的捲去你們,困苦憂患來侵襲你們時,我也置之不顧。
when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you.
28 那時,他們呼求我,我必不答應:他們尋找我,必尋不著我;
Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;
29 因為他們憎恨知識,沒有揀選敬畏上主,
because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of YHWH.
30 沒有接受我的勸告,且輕視了我的一切規諫。
They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
31 所以他們必要自食其果,飽嘗獨斷獨行的滋味。
Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes.
32 的確,無知者的執迷不悟殺害了自己;愚昧人的漠不關心斷送了自己。
For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
33 但是,那聽從我的,必得安居,不怕災禍,安享太平。
But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm."

< 箴言 1 >