< Proverbs 16 >
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
內心策劃在於人,應允卻在於上主。
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the motives.
對自己的行為,人都自覺無瑕;但審察心靈的,卻是上主。
3 Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
將你的作為委託於上主,這樣你的計劃必會成功。
4 The LORD has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
上主所造的各有其用意,連惡人也有不幸的一日。
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
居心傲慢的,上主必厭惡;這一類的人,逃不掉懲罰。
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
藉慈善忠誠,可補贖罪過;藉敬畏上主,可避免罪惡。
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
世人的行徑,若中悅上主,他必使仇敵,再與他和好。
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
收入少而守正義,勝於進款多而行不義。
9 A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
人心裏都策劃自己的行徑;但他的步伐卻由上主支配。
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
神明的斷語,出自君王口;他口下判斷,必不致差錯。
11 Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
天秤和稱盤,屬上主所有;囊中的法碼,全由他制定。
12 It is an abomination to kings to do wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.
君王最厭惡的是作惡,因為王位賴正義而立。
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
正義的唇舌,為君王所喜悅;說話正直者,為君王所愛戴。
14 The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
君王的震怒,是死訊的使者;但是智慧人,能平息王怒。
15 In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
君王容光煥發,人即可活命;君王的恩澤,有如春雲時雨。
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
獲得智慧,勝於獲得黃金;獲得智慧,勝於獲得白銀。
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
正直人的行徑遠離邪惡,謹守行為的人必確保生命。
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
驕橫是滅亡的先聲,傲慢是隕落的前導。
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
謙下與貧民共處,勝於與驕傲人分贓。
20 He who heeds the word finds prosperity, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
細聽勸言的,必將受益;信賴上主的,真是有福。
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
有慧心的人,被稱為哲人;溫和的口吻,更具說服力。
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
為有智識的人,智識是生命的泉源;然而糊塗愚昧,卻是愚昧人的懲罰。
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
智慧人的心,使自己的嘴靈巧,使自己的唇舌,更具說服力。
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
親切的言語,有如蜂蜜,使心靈愉快,使筋骨舒暢。
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
有些道路,看來正直;走到盡頭,卻是死路。
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
工人的胃口,催他勞作;工人的口腹,迫他工作。
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
無賴之徒,圖謀邪惡;他的嘴上,似有火燒。
28 A perverse man stirs up strife, and a gossip separates close friends.
乖戾的人,撒播爭端;告密的人,離間友情。
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
強橫的人,誘惑朋友;引他走入不正之徒。
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
誰緊閉眼睛,是在策劃陰謀;誰緊咬口唇,邪惡業已完成。
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is found in the path of righteousness.
皓首白髮,是尊榮的冠冕;只在正義的道上,方可獲得。
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
有涵養的人,勝於勇士;克服自己的人,勝於克城的人。
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
人儘可在懷中抽籤,但決斷卻在乎上主。