箴言 18
1 与众寡合的，独自寻求心愿， 并恼恨一切真智慧。
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 愚昧人不喜爱明哲， 只喜爱显露心意。
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 恶人来，藐视随来； 羞耻到，辱骂同到。
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 人口中的言语如同深水； 智慧的泉源好像涌流的河水。
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 瞻徇恶人的情面， 偏断义人的案件，都为不善。
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 愚昧人张嘴启争端， 开口招鞭打。
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 愚昧人的口自取败坏； 他的嘴是他生命的网罗。
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 传舌人的言语如同美食， 深入人的心腹。
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 做工懈怠的， 与浪费人为弟兄。
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 耶和华的名是坚固台； 义人奔入便得安稳。
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 富足人的财物是他的坚城， 在他心想，犹如高墙。
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 败坏之先，人心骄傲； 尊荣以前，必有谦卑。
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 未曾听完先回答的， 便是他的愚昧和羞辱。
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 人有疾病，心能忍耐； 心灵忧伤，谁能承当呢？
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 聪明人的心得知识； 智慧人的耳求知识。
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 人的礼物为他开路， 引他到高位的人面前。
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 先诉情由的，似乎有理； 但邻舍来到，就察出实情。
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 掣签能止息争竞， 也能解散强胜的人。
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 弟兄结怨，劝他和好，比取坚固城还难； 这样的争竞如同坚寨的门闩。
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20 人口中所结的果子，必充满肚腹； 他嘴所出的，必使他饱足。
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
21 生死在舌头的权下， 喜爱它的，必吃它所结的果子。
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 得着贤妻的，是得着好处， 也是蒙了耶和华的恩惠。
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 贫穷人说哀求的话； 富足人用威吓的话回答。
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 滥交朋友的，自取败坏； 但有一朋友比弟兄更亲密。
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
