Proverbs

以下也是所羅門的箴言，是猶大王希西家的人所謄錄的：

These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

將事隱秘乃神的榮耀；將事察清乃君王的榮耀。

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

天之高，地之深，君王之心，都不可測透。

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

除去銀子裡的渣滓，就有銀器出來；

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

除去王面前的惡人，國位必靠公義堅立。

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

不要在王面前妄自尊大，不要在大人位上站立。

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

寧可有人說「你上這裡來」，不可在你覲見的王子面前叫你退下去。

For better it is 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.

不要冒失出去與人爭競，免得至終你被他所辱，那時你還能做甚麼呢？

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.

你與鄰舍爭訟，要與他一人辯論，不可洩漏人的密事；

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

恐怕聽見你的人罵你，你的臭名就難以脫離。

Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

一句話說得合宜，就如金蘋果在銀網子裡。

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

智慧人的勸戒，在順從的人耳中，好比金耳環和精金的妝飾。

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

忠信的使者叫差他的人心裡舒暢，就如在收割時有冰雪的涼氣。

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

空誇饋送禮物的，好像無雨有風的雲霧。

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

恆常忍耐可以勸動君王；柔和的舌頭能折斷骨頭。

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

你得了蜂蜜嗎？只可吃夠，恐怕你吃得過飽，就嘔吐出來。

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

你的腳要少進鄰舍的家，恐怕他厭煩你，恨惡你。

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

作假見證陷害鄰舍的，就是大槌，是利刀，是快箭。

A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

患難時倚靠不忠誠的人，好像破壞的牙，或錯骨縫的腳。

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

對傷心的人唱歌，就如冷天脫衣服，又如鹼上倒醋。

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

你的仇敵若餓了，就給他飯吃；若渴了，就給他水喝；

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

因為你這樣行，就是把炭火堆在他的頭上，耶和華也必賞賜你。

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

北風生雨；讒謗人的舌頭也生怒容。

The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

寧可住在房頂的角上，不在寬闊的房屋與爭吵的婦人同住。

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

有好消息從遠方來，就如拿涼水給口渴的人喝。

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

義人在惡人面前退縮，好像趟濁了的泉，弄壞了的井。

A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

吃蜜過多是不好的；考究難事，得了榮耀也是如此。

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

人不制伏自己的心，好城邑沒有牆垣。

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.