箴言 18
1 與眾寡合的，獨自尋求心願， 並惱恨一切真智慧。
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 愚昧人不喜愛明哲， 只喜愛顯露心意。
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 惡人來，藐視隨來； 羞恥到，辱罵同到。
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 人口中的言語如同深水； 智慧的泉源好像湧流的河水。
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 瞻徇惡人的情面， 偏斷義人的案件，都為不善。
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 愚昧人張嘴啟爭端， 開口招鞭打。
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 愚昧人的口自取敗壞； 他的嘴是他生命的網羅。
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 傳舌人的言語如同美食， 深入人的心腹。
The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 做工懈怠的， 與浪費人為弟兄。
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 耶和華的名是堅固臺； 義人奔入便得安穩。
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 富足人的財物是他的堅城， 在他心想，猶如高牆。
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 敗壞之先，人心驕傲； 尊榮以前，必有謙卑。
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 未曾聽完先回答的， 便是他的愚昧和羞辱。
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 人有疾病，心能忍耐； 心靈憂傷，誰能承當呢？
The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 聰明人的心得知識； 智慧人的耳求知識。
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 人的禮物為他開路， 引他到高位的人面前。
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 先訴情由的，似乎有理； 但鄰舍來到，就察出實情。
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 掣籤能止息爭競， 也能解散強勝的人。
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
19 弟兄結怨，勸他和好，比取堅固城還難； 這樣的爭競如同堅寨的門閂。
A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 人口中所結的果子，必充滿肚腹； 他嘴所出的，必使他飽足。
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
21 生死在舌頭的權下， 喜愛它的，必吃它所結的果子。
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 得着賢妻的，是得着好處， 也是蒙了耶和華的恩惠。
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 貧窮人說哀求的話； 富足人用威嚇的話回答。
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 濫交朋友的，自取敗壞； 但有一朋友比弟兄更親密。
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
