箴言 22
1 美名勝過大財； 恩寵強如金銀。
A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
2 富戶窮人在世相遇， 都為耶和華所造。
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
3 通達人見禍藏躲； 愚蒙人前往受害。
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
4 敬畏耶和華心存謙卑， 就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。
The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
5 乖僻人的路上有荊棘和網羅； 保守自己生命的，必要遠離。
Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
6 教養孩童，使他走當行的道， 就是到老他也不偏離。
Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
7 富戶管轄窮人； 欠債的是債主的僕人。
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 撒罪孽的，必收災禍； 他逞怒的杖也必廢掉。
Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
9 眼目慈善的，就必蒙福， 因他將食物分給窮人。
If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
10 趕出褻慢人，爭端就消除； 紛爭和羞辱也必止息。
Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
11 喜愛清心的人因他嘴上的恩言， 王必與他為友。
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
12 耶和華的眼目眷顧聰明人， 卻傾敗奸詐人的言語。
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
13 懶惰人說：外頭有獅子； 我在街上就必被殺。
Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
14 淫婦的口為深坑； 耶和華所憎惡的，必陷在其中。
The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
15 愚蒙迷住孩童的心， 用管教的杖可以遠遠趕除。
Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
16 欺壓貧窮為要利己的， 並送禮與富戶的，都必缺乏。
If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
17 你須側耳聽受智慧人的言語， 留心領會我的知識。
Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
18 你若心中存記， 嘴上咬定，這便為美。
for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
19 我今日以此特特指教你， 為要使你倚靠耶和華。
I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
20 謀略和知識的美事， 我豈沒有寫給你嗎？
Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
21 要使你知道真言的實理， 你好將真言回覆那打發你來的人。
They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
22 貧窮人，你不可因他貧窮就搶奪他的物， 也不可在城門口欺壓困苦人；
For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
23 因耶和華必為他辨屈； 搶奪他的，耶和華必奪取那人的命。
for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
24 好生氣的人，不可與他結交； 暴怒的人，不可與他來往；
Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
25 恐怕你效法他的行為， 自己就陷在網羅裏。
in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
26 不要與人擊掌， 不要為欠債的作保。
Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
27 你若沒有甚麼償還， 何必使人奪去你睡臥的床呢？
for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
28 你先祖所立的地界， 你不可挪移。
Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
29 你看見辦事殷勤的人嗎？ 他必站在君王面前， 必不站在下賤人面前。
If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
