< Proverbs 25 >
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
以下也是撒羅滿的箴言,由猶大王希則克雅的人所蒐集:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
將事隱蔽,是天主的光榮;清察事實,是君王的光榮。
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
天有多高,地有多厚,王有何心,不可測量。
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
若將銀渣除去淨盡,銀匠必會造出銀器;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
若將君王前的惡人除掉,王座即可因正義而穩立。
6 Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
你在君王前不可炫耀,不可佔有權貴的座位;
7 For better is it that it be said unto thee: 'Come up hither', than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
因為人對你說「請上座! 」比在貴前受抑更好。
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
你眼若有所見,不可冒然訴訟;人若使你難堪,你將何以善後﹖
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
與你的近人,可自決爭端;他人的秘密,切不可洩漏;
10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
免得人聽見了而譏笑你,使你的聲譽一敗塗地。
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
一句簡單話,若說得適當,有如銀盤中,放上金蘋果。
12 As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
明智的勸戒,對受教的人,無異於金環,或純金美飾。
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
忠誠的使者,對遣他的人,有如秋收時,吹來的涼風,使他主人的心感到愉快。
14 As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
許諾而不實踐的人,只好似無雨的風雲。
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
容忍可以折服公侯,柔語能以粉碎硬骨。
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
你找到蜂蜜,應按食量吃;怕吃的過多,反要吐出來。
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
鄰舍的住家,你應少踏入;怕他討厭你,反而憎恨你。
18 As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
作假見證陷害鄰舍的人,無異是鐵鎚、刀劍和利箭。
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
在患難之日,信賴無信用的人,有如信賴蛀壞的牙,脫節的腳。
20 As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
對憂傷的心靈詠唱詩歌,無異在傷口處倒上酸醋。
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
若仇人餓了,你要給他吃;若是他渴了,應給他水喝:
22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
這是將火炭堆在他頭上,上主也必要因此還報你。
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
北風帶來時雨;讒言易惹怒容。
24 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。
25 As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
來自遠方的喜信,無異口渴獲清泉。
26 As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
義人如在惡人面前失足,無異弄混的水泉,弄濁的水井。
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
吃蜂蜜過多,有損無益;過於求光榮,反而受累。
28 Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
人若不控制自己的脾氣,就如一座無牆無防的城市。