< Proverbs 1 >

1 The parables of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel,
以色列王達味之子撒羅滿的箴言:
2 in order to know wisdom and discipline,
是為教人學習智慧和規律,叫人明瞭哲言,
3 to understand words of prudence, and to accept the instruction of doctrine, justice and judgment, and equity,
接受明智的教訓--仁義、公平和正直,
4 so as to give discernment to little ones, knowledge and understanding to adolescents.
使無知者獲得聰明,使年少者獲得知識和慎重,
5 By listening, the wise shall become wiser and the intelligent shall possess governments.
使智慧者聽了,增加學識;使明達人聽了,汲取智謀,
6 He shall turn his soul to a parable and to its interpretation, to the words of the wise and their enigmas.
好能明瞭箴言和譬喻,明瞭智者的言論和他們的隱語。
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The foolish despise wisdom as well as doctrine.
敬畏上主是智慧的肇基;只有愚昧人蔑視智慧和規律。
8 Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother,
我兒,你應聽你父親的教訓,不要拒絕你母親的指教,
9 so that grace may be added to your head and a collar to your neck.
因為這就是你頭上的冠冕,你頸上的珠鏈。
10 My son, if sinners should entice you, do not consent to them.
我兒,如果惡人勾引你,你不要聽從;
11 If they should say: “Come with us. We will lie in wait for blood. We will lay traps against the innocent, without cause.
如果他們說:「來跟我們去暗算某人,無故地陷害無辜。
12 Let us swallow him alive, like Hell, and whole, like one descending into the pit. (Sheol h7585)
我們要像陰府一樣活活地吞下他們,把他們整個吞下去,有如墮入深坑裏的人; (Sheol h7585)
13 We will discover every precious substance. We will fill our houses with spoils.
這樣,我們必獲得各種珍寶,以贓物充滿我們的房屋。
14 Cast your lot with us. One purse will be for us all.”
你將與我們平分秋色,我們將共有同一錢囊。」
15 My son, do not walk with them. Preclude your feet from their paths.
我兒,你不要與他們同流合污,該使你的腳遠離他們的道路,
16 For their feet rush to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.
因為他們雙腳趨向兇惡,急於傾流人血。
17 But a net is thrown in vain before the eyes of those who have wings.
在一切飛鳥眼前,張設羅網,盡屬徒然。
18 Likewise, they lie in ambush against their own blood, and they undertake deceits against their own souls.
其實,他們不外是自流己血,自害己命。
19 Thus, the ways of all those who are greedy seize the souls of those who possess.
這就是謀財害命者的末路:他必要送掉自己的性命。
20 Wisdom forewarns far and wide; she bestows her voice in the streets.
智慧在街上吶喊,在通衢發出呼聲;
21 She cries out at the head of crowds; at the entrance of the gates of the city, she offers her words, saying:
在熱鬧的街頭呼喚,在城門和市區發表言論:「
22 “Little ones, how long will you choose to be childish, and how long will the foolish desire what is harmful to themselves, and how long will the imprudent hate knowledge?
無知的人,你們喜愛無知;輕狂的人,你們樂意輕狂;愚昧的人,你們憎恨知識,要到何時呢﹖
23 Be converted by my correction. Lo, I will offer my spirit to you, and I will reveal my words to you.
你們應回心聽我的勸告。看,我要向你們傾吐我的心意,使你們瞭解我的言詞。
24 For I called, and you refused. I extended my hand, and there was no one who watched.
但是,我呼喚了,你們竟予以拒絕;我伸出了手,誰也沒有理會。
25 You have despised all my counsels, and you have neglected my rebukes.
你們既蔑視了我的勸告,沒有接受我的忠言;
26 Similarly, I will ridicule you at your demise, and I will mock you, when that which you feared shall overcome you.
因此,你們遭遇不幸時,我也付之一笑;災難臨到你們身上時,我也一笑置之。
27 When sudden calamity rushes upon you, and your demise advances like a tempest, when tribulation and anguish overcome you,
當災難如暴風似的襲擊你們,禍害如旋風似的捲去你們,困苦憂患來侵襲你們時,我也置之不顧。
28 then they will call to me, and I will not heed, they will arise in the morning, and not find me.
那時,他們呼求我,我必不答應:他們尋找我,必尋不著我;
29 For they held hatred for discipline, and they would not accept the fear of the Lord;
因為他們憎恨知識,沒有揀選敬畏上主,
30 they would not consent to my counsel, but they detracted from all of my corrections.
沒有接受我的勸告,且輕視了我的一切規諫。
31 Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their way, and they shall have their fill of their own counsels.
所以他們必要自食其果,飽嘗獨斷獨行的滋味。
32 The loathing of the little ones shall destroy them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall perish them.
的確,無知者的執迷不悟殺害了自己;愚昧人的漠不關心斷送了自己。
33 But whoever will listen to me shall rest without terror, and shall have full enjoyment of abundance, without fear of evils.”
但是,那聽從我的,必得安居,不怕災禍,安享太平。

< Proverbs 1 >