Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
君王的心在上主手裏，有如水流，可隨意轉移。
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
人對自己的行為，都自覺正直；但審察人心的，卻是上主。
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
秉公行義，比獻祭獻更悅上主。
4 A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.
傲慢的眼睛，驕傲的心靈，惡人的炫耀，無非是罪惡。
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
熟思的人，必足以致富；草率的人，必貧困纏身。
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
以謊言偽語騙得的財寶，是浮雲輕煙，死亡的羅網。
7 The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.
惡人的暴戾，必殃及自身，因他們不肯去履行正義。
8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
惡人的道路，歪曲邪僻；正人的行為，正直適中。
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
寧願住在屋頂的一角，不願與吵婦同居一室。
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
惡人的心靈，只求邪惡；對自己友伴，毫不關懷。
11 When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
輕狂人遭受處罰，幼稚者將得明智；智慧人接受教訓，更增加自己知識。
12 The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.
正義的上主監視惡人的家，且使惡人們都陷於災禍中。
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
誰對窮人的哀求，充耳不聞，他呼求時，也不會得到應允。
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
暗中相送的饋贈，可平息忿怒；投入懷中的禮物，可平息狂怒。
15 To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.
秉公行義，能叫義人喜樂；但為作惡的人，卻是恐懼。
16 The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
凡遠離明智道路的人，必居於幽靈的集會中。
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
貪愛享樂的人，必遭受窮困；喜愛酒油的人，必不會致富。
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.
惡人必將為義人作贖金，敗類也將替君子作代價。
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
與好爭易怒的女人同居，倒不如獨自住在曠野裏。
20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
珍貴的寶藏和油，積藏在智者家裏；但糊塗愚昧的人，卻將之消耗淨盡。
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.
追求正義和仁慈的人，必將獲得生命與尊榮。
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.
智者必登上勇士的城邑，攻破城邑所憑倚的保壘。
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
誰謹守自己的口舌，心靈必能免受煩惱。
24 A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.
高傲的人名叫「狂人」，他行事必極端蠻橫。
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
怠惰人的手不肯操作，必為他的願望所扼殺。
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
貪婪的人，終日貪婪；正義的人，廣施不吝。
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?
惡人的祭獻，已是可憎；若懷惡而獻，更將如何﹖
28 A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
作假見證的人，必要滅亡；但善於聽的人，纔可常言。
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
邪惡的人，常裝腔作勢；正直的人，卻舉止檢點。
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
任何智慧、才略或計謀，都不能與上主相對抗。
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.
招兵買馬，是為作作戰之日；但是勝利，卻由上主指使。
