< Proverbs 16 >
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
內心策劃在於人,應允卻在於上主。
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
對自己的行為,人都自覺無瑕;但審察心靈的,卻是上主。
3 Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
將你的作為委託於上主,這樣你的計劃必會成功。
4 The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
上主所造的各有其用意,連惡人也有不幸的一日。
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
居心傲慢的,上主必厭惡;這一類的人,逃不掉懲罰。
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
藉慈善忠誠,可補贖罪過;藉敬畏上主,可避免罪惡。
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
世人的行徑,若中悅上主,他必使仇敵,再與他和好。
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
收入少而守正義,勝於進款多而行不義。
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
人心裏都策劃自己的行徑;但他的步伐卻由上主支配。
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
神明的斷語,出自君王口;他口下判斷,必不致差錯。
11 Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
天秤和稱盤,屬上主所有;囊中的法碼,全由他制定。
12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
君王最厭惡的是作惡,因為王位賴正義而立。
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
正義的唇舌,為君王所喜悅;說話正直者,為君王所愛戴。
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
君王的震怒,是死訊的使者;但是智慧人,能平息王怒。
15 In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
君王容光煥發,人即可活命;君王的恩澤,有如春雲時雨。
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
獲得智慧,勝於獲得黃金;獲得智慧,勝於獲得白銀。
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
正直人的行徑遠離邪惡,謹守行為的人必確保生命。
18 Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
驕橫是滅亡的先聲,傲慢是隕落的前導。
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
謙下與貧民共處,勝於與驕傲人分贓。
20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
細聽勸言的,必將受益;信賴上主的,真是有福。
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
有慧心的人,被稱為哲人;溫和的口吻,更具說服力。
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
為有智識的人,智識是生命的泉源;然而糊塗愚昧,卻是愚昧人的懲罰。
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
智慧人的心,使自己的嘴靈巧,使自己的唇舌,更具說服力。
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
親切的言語,有如蜂蜜,使心靈愉快,使筋骨舒暢。
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
有些道路,看來正直;走到盡頭,卻是死路。
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
工人的胃口,催他勞作;工人的口腹,迫他工作。
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
無賴之徒,圖謀邪惡;他的嘴上,似有火燒。
28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
乖戾的人,撒播爭端;告密的人,離間友情。
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
強橫的人,誘惑朋友;引他走入不正之徒。
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
誰緊閉眼睛,是在策劃陰謀;誰緊咬口唇,邪惡業已完成。
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
皓首白髮,是尊榮的冠冕;只在正義的道上,方可獲得。
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
有涵養的人,勝於勇士;克服自己的人,勝於克城的人。
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
人儘可在懷中抽籤,但決斷卻在乎上主。