< Proverbs 3 >

1 My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart:
我兒,不要忘了我的法律,該誠心恪守我的誡命,
2 For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace.
因為這樣能使你延年益壽,也能增加你的康寧。
3 Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart;
不要讓慈祥和忠實離棄你,要將她們繫在你的頸上,刻在你的心版上;
4 So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men.
這樣,你在天主和世人面前,必獲得寵幸和恩愛。
5 Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support.
你應全心信賴上主,總不要依賴自己的聰明;
6 In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.
應步步體會上主,他必修平你的行徑。
7 Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:
不要自作聰明,應敬畏上主,遠避邪惡;
8 This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones.
如此,你的身體必會康健,你的骨骼也會舒適。
9 Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:
應以你的財物和一切初熟之物,去尊崇上主;
10 So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine.
這樣,你的倉廩必充滿糧食,你的榨酒池必盈溢新酒。
11 My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training:
我兒,不要輕視上主的懲戒,也不要厭惡他的譴責,
12 For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.
因為上主譴責他所愛的,有如父親譴責他的愛子。
13 Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.
尋得智慧和獲取睿智的人是有福的,
14 For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold.
因為賺得智慧勝於賺得銀錢;智慧的果實勝於純金。
15 She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her.
智慧比珍珠還要寶貴;凡你所貪求的,都不足以與她倫比。
16 Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.
在她右邊是延年益壽,在她左邊是富貴榮華。
17 Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace.
她的道路是康樂之道,她的行徑是一片安寧。
18 She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.
她為掌握她的人,是一株生命樹;凡堅持她的,必將納福。
19 The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place.
上主以智慧奠定了大地,以睿智堅定了高天;
20 By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.
賴他的智識,深淵纔裂口噴水,雲彩纔降下甘露。
21 My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes.
我兒,你應保持明智和慎重,不要讓她們離開你的視線:
22 So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck.
二者應是你心靈的生命,是你頸項的華飾;
23 Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping.
這樣,你走路必感安全,你的腳不致絆倒。
24 When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you.
你若坐下,必無所恐懼;你若躺下,必睡得甘甜。
25 Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers:
你決不怕驟然而來的恐怖,也不怕惡人突然而至的摧殘,
26 For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.
因為上主將要護佑你,使你的腳遠離陷阱。
27 Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
你若有能力作到,不要拒絕向有求於你的人行善;
28 Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time.
如果你能即刻作到,不要對你的近人說:「去! 明天再來,我纔給你。」
29 Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear.
幾時你的近人安心與你居住,你不應暗算他。
30 Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.
若他人沒有加害你,你不應與他無端爭辯。
31 Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example.
不要羨慕強暴的人,更不要選擇他的任何行徑,
32 For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.
因為上主厭惡乖戾的人,摯愛正直的人。
33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright.
上主詛咒惡人的住宅,祝福義人的寓所。
34 He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.
上主嘲弄好愚弄的人,卻寵愛謙卑的人。
35 The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.
智慧的人必承受尊榮,愚昧的人必蒙受羞辱。

< Proverbs 3 >