< Proverbs 16 >
1 All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
內心策劃在於人,應允卻在於上主。
對自己的行為,人都自覺無瑕;但審察心靈的,卻是上主。
5 Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
居心傲慢的,上主必厭惡;這一類的人,逃不掉懲罰。
10 [There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.
神明的斷語,出自君王口;他口下判斷,必不致差錯。
11 The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
天秤和稱盤,屬上主所有;囊中的法碼,全由他制定。
12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule 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 acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
正義的唇舌,為君王所喜悅;說話正直者,為君王所愛戴。
14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
君王的震怒,是死訊的使者;但是智慧人,能平息王怒。
15 The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
君王容光煥發,人即可活命;君王的恩澤,有如春雲時雨。
16 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
獲得智慧,勝於獲得黃金;獲得智慧,勝於獲得白銀。
17 The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
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 folly before a fall.
驕橫是滅亡的先聲,傲慢是隕落的前導。
19 Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
謙下與貧民共處,勝於與驕傲人分贓。
20 [He who is] skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
細聽勸言的,必將受益;信賴上主的,真是有福。
21 [Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
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 its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
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 will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
智慧人的心,使自己的嘴靈巧,使自己的唇舌,更具說服力。
24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
親切的言語,有如蜂蜜,使心靈愉快,使筋骨舒暢。
25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. ()
有些道路,看來正直;走到盡頭,卻是死路。
26 A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
工人的胃口,催他勞作;工人的口腹,迫他工作。
27 But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
無賴之徒,圖謀邪惡;他的嘴上,似有火燒。
28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
乖戾的人,撒播爭端;告密的人,離間友情。
29 A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
強橫的人,誘惑朋友;引他走入不正之徒。
30 And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
誰緊閉眼睛,是在策劃陰謀;誰緊咬口唇,邪惡業已完成。
31 Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
皓首白髮,是尊榮的冠冕;只在正義的道上,方可獲得。
32 A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that 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 All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
人儘可在懷中抽籤,但決斷卻在乎上主。