Proverbs 24
1 [My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
你不要妒忌作惡的人，不要希求與他們共處；
2 For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
因為他們的心靈，只圖謀不軌；他們的嘴唇，只講論是非。
3 A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
因著智慧，家庭得以興建；因著明智，家庭得以穩定。
4 By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
各種珍奇可愛的寶物，因著智識可儲藏滿室。
5 A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
智慧人勝於壯士，明智人強於勇士；
6 War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
因為作戰須有智謀，勝利在於謀士眾多。
7 Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
為愚昧的人，智慧太高妙；他在城門口，只好不開口。
8 but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].
籌劃作惡的人，可稱為陰險家。
9 The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.
愚人的計謀只是罪惡；狂妄的人為人所憎惡。
10 He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
你若萎靡不振，到災難的日子，必然氣竭力盡。
11 Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [thy help].
被帶去受死的人，你應拯救他；行將被殺戮的人，你要挽救他。
12 But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
或許你要說：「看! 我全不知道! 」難道那權衡人心的能不明瞭﹖難道監察你心靈的能不知道﹖他必按每人的作為還報每人。
13 [My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that thy throat may be sweetened.
我兒，你要吃蜜，因為蜜好；蜂房的蜜，香甜可口。
14 Thus shalt thou perceive wisdom in thy soul: for if thou find it, thine end shall be good, and hope shall not fail thee.
對你的靈魂，智慧也是這樣：你找得了她，必有好前途；你所希望的，決不會落空。
15 Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
惡惡人對義人的家，不要圖謀不軌；對他的住所，不要加以破壞；
16 For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
因為義人雖七次跌倒，仍然要起來；但是惡人一失足，必陷禍患中。
17 If thine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
你的仇人跌倒，且不要高興；他若失足摔倒，且不要心喜；
18 For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
免得上主看見而不快，因而撤消對他的忿怒。
19 Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
對作惡的人，你不要動怒；對乖戾之徒，也不必嫉妒；
20 For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
因為惡人終沒有好前途，惡人的燈必要熄滅。
21 [My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
我兒，上主和君王，你都要敬畏；對他們二者，皆不可觸怒；
22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both?
因為他們的懲罰可突然而至；他們的摧殘，有誰能知曉﹖
23 And this thing I say to you that are wise [for you] to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
以下是智者的箴言：在判案時，顧及情面，決不公平。
24 He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.
誰對惡人說：「你是正義的。」人民必罵他，百姓必恨他。
25 But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
按公道加罰的，必事事順遂；美好的祝福，必臨於其身。
26 and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.
應答適宜的人，宛如與人接吻。
27 Prepare thy works for [thy] going forth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come after me, and thou shalt rebuild thine house.
你要先在外經營好事業，在田間將工作準備停當，然後纔可建立你的家室。
28 Be not a false witness against thy [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips.
不要輕易作證，反對你的近人；也不要以你的口舌，欺騙他人。
29 Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.
不可說：「人怎樣待我，我怎樣待人；照人之所行，我向他還報。」
30 A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
我走過懶惰人的田地，經過愚昧人的葡萄園：
31 If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.
看，到處是荊棘，滿地是蒺黎，石牆也倒了!
32 Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
我看了，便心下自思；我見了，取得了教訓：「
33 [The sluggard says, ]I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across [my] breast.
再睡片刻，再假寐片刻，再抱臂躺臥片刻」──
34 But if thou do this, thy poverty will come speedily; and thy want like a swift courier.
這樣，貧窮就要如同竊賊，困乏也要如同武士，向你侵襲。
