Proverbs 21
1 THE king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: 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 pondereth 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 justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
秉公行義，比獻祭獻更悅上主。
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing 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 of every one that is hasty 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 vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
以謊言偽語騙得的財寶，是浮雲輕煙，死亡的羅網。
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
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 with a brawling woman in a wide house.
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 simple 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 man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
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 heard.
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 reward 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 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be 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 wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
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 shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for 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 the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
與好爭易怒的女人同居，倒不如獨自住在曠野裏。
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth 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, righteousness, 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 casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
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 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
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 He 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 abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
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 heareth speaketh constantly.
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 directeth 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 safety 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。
