箴言 4
1 众子啊，要听父亲的教训， 留心得知聪明。
Listen, sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and discover what makes sense,
2 因我所给你们的是好教训； 不可离弃我的法则。
for what I am passing on to you is reliable. Don't reject my teachings.
3 我在父亲面前为孝子， 在母亲眼中为独一的娇儿。
When I was a son with my father—a tender young boy, my mother's only child—
4 父亲教训我说：你心要存记我的言语， 遵守我的命令，便得存活。
he was the one who taught me. He told me, “Pay attention to the words I say and keep them in mind; do what I tell you and you will live.
5 要得智慧，要得聪明，不可忘记， 也不可偏离我口中的言语。
Get wisdom, find out what makes sense. Don't forget my words or reject them.
6 不可离弃智慧，智慧就护卫你； 要爱她，她就保守你。
Don't give up on wisdom for she will keep you safe. Love wisdom and she will protect you.
7 智慧为首； 所以，要得智慧。 在你一切所得之内必得聪明 。
The first thing in becoming wise is to get wisdom! Whatever else you gain, gain insight.
8 高举智慧，她就使你高升； 怀抱智慧，她就使你尊荣。
Treasure wisdom, and she will praise you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 她必将华冠加在你头上， 把荣冕交给你。
She will place on your head a wreath of grace; she will present to you a crown of glory.”
10 我儿，你要听受我的言语， 就必延年益寿。
Listen, my son, if you accept what I tell you, then you will live a long life.
11 我已指教你走智慧的道， 引导你行正直的路。
I have explained to you the way of wisdom; I have guided you along the right paths.
12 你行走，脚步必不致狭窄； 你奔跑，也不致跌倒。
Nothing will block your way when you walk, you won't stumble when you run.
13 要持定训诲，不可放松； 必当谨守，因为它是你的生命。
Hold on to these instructions—don't let them go. Protect them, for they are life's foundation.
14 不可行恶人的路； 不要走坏人的道。
Don't go the way of the wicked or follow the example of those who do evil.
15 要躲避，不可经过； 要转身而去。
Avoid that way completely. Don't go there! Turn away, and walk on.
16 这等人若不行恶，不得睡觉； 不使人跌倒，睡卧不安；
Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.
17 因为他们以奸恶吃饼， 以强暴喝酒。
For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 但义人的路好像黎明的光， 越照越明，直到日午。
The way of life of the good is like the light of the sunrise, glowing brighter and brighter until the full light of day shines out.
19 恶人的道好像幽暗， 自己不知因什么跌倒。
But the way of life of the wicked is like complete darkness; they don't even know what they're tripping over.
20 我儿，要留心听我的言词， 侧耳听我的话语，
My son, pay attention to what I tell you; listen to the words I'm saying.
21 都不可离你的眼目， 要存记在你心中。
Don't lose sight of them; think about them deeply,
22 因为得着它的，就得了生命， 又得了医全体的良药。
for they are life to anyone who finds them, and make the whole body healthy.
23 你要保守你心，胜过保守一切， 因为一生的果效是由心发出。
Most of all, protect your mind, for everything in life flows from it.
24 你要除掉邪僻的口， 弃绝乖谬的嘴。
Don't ever lie, and don't say anything dishonest.
25 你的眼目要向前正看； 你的眼睛当向前直观。
Focus on what's ahead of you; look at what's in front of you.
26 要修平你脚下的路， 坚定你一切的道。
Pay attention to the path you decide to follow, and you'll be safe wherever you go.
27 不可偏向左右； 要使你的脚离开邪恶。
Don't deviate to the right or the left, and turn away from evil.
