Chapter 1

If you listen to these sayings, you will acquire wisdom.
These sayings will help you develop virtue, justice and fairness.

Be careful of bad people who try to mislead you.
A net is spread in vain if the bird is watching.

Wisdom calls aloud in the streets.
She delivers her message at the city gates:

"How much longer will you prefer ignorance to knowledge?
The complacency of fools works their own ruin.

But whoever listens to me will live in safety.
Whoever listens to me will choose good and avoid evil."

第 1 章

如果你聽這些格言，你會學到智慧。
這些格言會幫你培育美德、正義和公正。

小心設法使你誤入歧途的壞人。
在飛鳥面前，張設羅網，盡屬徒然。

智慧在街上呼喊。 她在城門傳遞她的信息：

「你喜歡無知勝過知識要到何時呢？
愚人的自滿造成他們自身的毀滅。

但誰聽我的會安然生活。
誰聽我的會擇善避惡。」

Dear God, please give us more wisdom

親愛的神，請給我們更多智慧

Chapter 2

If you turn your ear to wisdom,
you will discover the knowledge of God.

For God himself is the giver of wisdom.
From his mouth come knowledge and discernment.

When wisdom comes into your heart,
then prudence and discernment will protect you from evil.

第 2 章

如果你聽取智慧，你會發現認識神。

因為神是智慧的給予者。
知識和判斷力源自他的口。

當智慧進入你的心，
那時謹慎和判斷力會保護你遠離邪惡。

Dear God, source of wisdom, please give us more wisdom

親愛的神，智慧之源，請給我們更多智慧

Chapter 3

Let kindness and loyalty never leave you.
Tie them around your neck.

In everything you do, keep God in mind.
He will help you take the right path.

Love God and turn your back on evil.
This will give good health to your body.

Do not refuse a kindness to anyone who asks,
if it is in your power to help them.

第 3 章

永不讓仁慈和忠誠離開你。
把他們繫於你的頸上。

你做任何事，記住神。 他會幫你走正道。

愛神並拒絕作惡。 這會給你身體健康。

不要對求助於你的人拒絕行善，
如果你有能力幫助他們。

Lord, please help us to be kind to everyone

主，請幫助我們善待每個人

Chapters 4, 5

Acquire wisdom, never forget her.
Do not desert her. She will keep you safe.

Wisdom is life to those who obtain her,
health for the entire body.

Take no notice of a loose-living woman,
go nowhere near the door of her house.

Drink the water of your own cistern,
fresh water from your own well.

Find joy with the wife you married in your youth,
let hers be the love that always holds you captive.

第 4、5 章

取得智慧，永遠不會忘記她。
不遺棄她。 她會保你平安。

誰獲得智慧就是得到生命，整個身體健康。

不注視生活放蕩的女人，不走近她的家門。

飲自己的池水、自己井裡的活水。

與你年青時結婚的妻子尋樂，
讓她的愛常常令你著迷。

Dear Lord, please give married people
 the wisdom to stay faithful to each other

親愛的主，請給已婚人士忠於彼此的智慧

Chapter 6

Idler, go to the ant.  Ponder her ways and grow wise.
No one gives her orders, yet she makes sure of her food.

Night and day you spend so much time sleeping.
In no time poverty and want will be at your pillow.

Avoid deceitful people, those who have leering lips,
winking eyes, shuffling feet, beckoning fingers.

Avoid people with a haughty look
and people who sow dissension.

Do not desire the beauty of your neighbour's wife.
Adultery means trouble and disgrace.

第 6 章

懶人，去察看螞蟻。 深思她的作為就增長智慧。 
沒人給她指命，但她確保她的食物。

你日夜花那麼多時間睡覺。
貧窮和匱乏馬上會在你的枕邊。

避開騙子，那些滿口欺詐、用眼傳神、
用腳示意、用指點劃的人。

避開高傲眼目的人和挑撥離間者。

不要貪戀你鄰居妻子的美麗。
通姦結果是麻煩和恥辱。

Dear God, please give us the wisdom
to avoid deceit and dishonesty

親愛的神，請給我們智慧
去避開欺騙和不誠實

Chapters 7 & 8

To Wisdom say "My sister".
Call Perception your dearest friend.

Wisdom says:
"The Lord created me before time began.
I was by his side, delighting him day after day.

Happy those who keep my ways.
Happy those who listen to me.

Whoever finds me finds life.
I am more precious than silver or gold."

第 7、8 章

對智慧說：「我的姊妹。」
稱悟性為你最親愛的朋友。

智慧說：「於時間開始前主創造了我。
我在他身邊，每日使他快樂。

遵行我路的人是幸福的。
聽從我的人是幸福的。

誰找到我就找到生命。 我比金銀更珍貴。」

Dear Lord, please help me to be a friend of Wisdom

親愛的主，請幫助我成為智慧的朋友

Chapter 9

Wisdom has built herself a house,
she has erected 7 pillars.

She has sent out her maidservants
to proclaim from the city's heights:

"Come and eat my bread,
drink the wine I have prepared.

Leave your foolishness and you will live.
Come and walk in the way of wisdom."

第 9 章

智慧為自己建造了一棟房子，
她豎立了七根柱。

她派遣她的婢女從城中的高處宣佈：

「來吃我的麵包，飲我準備的酒。

捨棄你的愚昧，你便會存活。
來並走在智慧的路上。」

Lord, please help us accept your invitation to grow in wisdom

主，請幫助我們接受你的邀請在智慧中成長

Chapter 10

A wise child is a father's joy.
A foolish child is a mother's sorrow.

Laziness leads to poverty.
Diligence leads to success.

Hatred provokes disputes.
Love covers over all offences.

A flood of words is never without fault.
Prudent people control their lips.

第 10 章

聰明的孩子是父親的喜悅。
愚蠢的孩子是母親的悲痛。

懶惰導致貧窮。 勤奮導致成功。

仇恨挑起爭端。 愛包容一切過錯。

言多必失。 謹慎的人約束他們的嘴巴。

Lord, may my words be wise and loving

主，願我的話充滿智慧和愛

Chapters 11 & 12

Pride comes before a fall.
Humility brings wisdom.

A city prospers when good people are many.
A city falls when good people are few.

Good people are kind to animals.
Bad people are cruel to animals.

Good people overlook insults.
Good people's speech promotes harmony in society.

Worry makes our hearts heavy.
Kindly words from others make us glad.

第 11、12 章

驕傲必敗。 謙遜帶來智慧。

一個城市繁榮當有許多善良的人。
一個城市失敗當善良的人稀少。

好人善待動物。 壞人殘酷對待動物。

好人漠視侮辱。 好人的說話促進社會和諧。

憂慮使我們的心沉悶。
別人親切的說話使我們感到高興。

Lord, help me to be kind and wise

主，幫我成為仁慈和聰明

Chapters 13 & 14

Guard your talk and you will protect your life.
People who talk too much, easily get into trouble.

Choose wise people as your friends and you will be happy.
Choose foolish people as friends and your problems will multiply.

The heart knows its own grief best.
No human person can fully understand another person's heart.

A peaceful heart is necessary for good health.
Envy is like a cancer in the bones.

Injustice to the poor is an insult to our Creator.
Kindness to the poor gives honor to our Creator.

Virtue makes a nation great.
Sin causes empires to fall.

第 13、14 章

謹慎說話，你會自保性命。
多言的人容易招惹麻煩。

選擇智者作為你的朋友，你會很快樂。
選擇愚人作為你的朋友，你的問題會倍增。

心最知自己的悲痛。
沒有人能完全瞭解另一個人的心。

健康需要一個平和的心。 嫉妒像骨癌。

對待窮人不公正是侮辱我們的造物主。
善待窮人是榮耀我們的造物主。

美德使一個國家強盛。 惡行使帝國倒下。

Dear God, please help everyone in our country
to be wise and kind and just.

親愛的神，請幫助我國每個人
變成聰明、善良和公正。

Chapter 15       My recording of this reading

A mild answer diffuses a tense situation.
A sharp answer stirs up anger.

A kind tongue is a source of life.
A harsh tongue hurts other people's feelings.

A happy heart produces a cheerful face.
A sad heart means a drooping spirit.

Hot-headed people provoke disputes.
Peaceful people prevent disputes.

Without deliberation, plans come to nothing.
Successful plans need many counselors.

A kindly glance gives joy to the heart.
Good news gives strength to the bones.

第 15 章

溫和的回答舒緩緊張局勢。
尖銳的回答激起了憤怒。

親切的說話是生命之源。
苛刻的說話傷害別人的感受。

愉快的心產生快樂的臉。
憂傷的心造成精神頹喪。

急躁的人挑起爭端。
愛好和平的人阻止爭端。

缺乏審議，計劃落空。
成功的計劃需要眾多的謀士。

親善一瞥給心喜悅。 喜訊給筋骨力量。

Dear Lord, please give me a kind tongue

親愛的主，請給我口德

Chapter 16

A person  proposes, God disposes.
Ask the Lord to bless all your plans.

Kindness and loyalty make up for sin.
Love of the Lord brings avoidance of evil.

If the Lord is pleased with your way of life,
he will cause your enemies to become your friends.

Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.

A troublemaker sows strife.
A talebearer separates friends.

Better to be a peaceful person than a hero.
Better to be master of yourself than the conqueror of a city.

第 16 章

謀事在人，成事在神。
求主保佑你所有的計劃。

仁慈和忠誠彌補罪過。 愛主促使遠離罪惡。

如果主滿意你的生活方式，
他會使你的敵人成為你的朋友。

驕傲走向滅亡，傲慢走向衰落。

鬧事者煽動衝突。 搬弄是非者離間朋友。

做一個和平者更勝做英雄。
能自制者更勝城市征服者。

Lord, please give me a humble, peaceful spirit

主，請給我謙卑、和平的精神

Chapter 17

Better a dry crust of bread eaten in peace
than a house where feasting and argument go together.

Whoever avoids talking about  offences,  promotes love.
Whoever keeps on talking about offences,  divides friends.

A person who controls the tongue has knowledge.
People of discernment control their temper.

第 17 章

安靜地吃一片麵包皮
更勝滿屋佳餚而互相爭吵。

誰避談過錯是宣揚愛。
誰不斷談論過錯是離間朋友。

慎言者有智慧。 明事理的人沈得住氣。

Lord, please give me a kind tongue

主，請給我口德

Chapter 18

Foolish people  are not interested in reflection,
but only in airing their own opinion.

The human heart is haughty until disaster strikes.
Humility goes before honor.

Don't reply to someone until you've listened to their views.
Be slow to interrupt someone who is speaking.

第 18 章

愚人不喜歡反思，但只關心表達自己的意見。

人心高傲，直到災難降臨。 謙虛邁向光榮。

不回覆他人，直到你聽取他們的觀點。
不急於打斷別人在講話。

Lord, please help me to be a good listener

主，請幫助我成為一個好的傾聽者

Chapters  19 - 22

Where reflection is wanting, zeal is not good.
People who go too quickly  miss their way.

Whoever is kind to the poor is kind to the Lord.
The Lord will repay such kindness.

Children at play
show what sort of people they will be in the future.

Better the corner of a loft to live in
than a house shared with a scolding spouse.

Better to live in a desert land
than with a scolding and irritable spouse.

Instruct children in goodness and justice
and they will always be  good adults.

第 19 – 22 章

缺乏深思，熱誠不足取。
步伐匆忙，難免失足。

誰善待窮人就是善待主。 主會報答這些好意。

玩耍中的孩子顯露出他們將來是怎樣的人。

住在閣樓的一角，
勝過與罵人的配偶分享一屋。

住在荒野地勝過與罵人、煩躁的配偶同住。

教導兒童善良和正義，他們會永遠是好人。

Lord, please help me put into practice the ideas in these words

主，請幫助我付諸實踐本章的箴言

Chapters 23-24

If someone invites you for a meal,
be careful not to make a pig of yourself.

Don't waste your breath talking to foolish people.

Make sure your children receive a wholesome discipline.

Don't be a drunkard.
Don't be a glutton.
Avoid prostitution.

Brains are better than brawn.

If you make a big mistake and fall, get up and start again.

第 23 – 24 章       

如果有人請你吃飯，注意食相，
小心不要把自己變成一頭豬。

不跟愚人白費唇舌。

確保你的孩子獲得健全的教養。

不做醉漢。 不做貪吃者。 避免賣淫。

智力更勝體力。

如果你犯了大錯並跌倒，起來再開始。

 Lord, please help me put into practice the ideas in these words

主，請幫助我付諸實踐本章的箴言

Chapters 25, 26

Cloud and wind, but no rain.
Such is the person who makes a lot of promises
but doesn't keep them.

Don't over-tax your neighbor's hospitality.

If people who don't like you are hungry or thirsty,
give them something to eat or drink.
In this way you will shame them into being better people.

Rain comes by the north wind.
A ravaged face comes from a backbiting tongue.

An open town, without defences.
Such is a person lacking self-control.

As a dog returns to its vomit
so foolish people return to their folly.

Interfering in the quarrels of other people
is like catching a stray dog by the tail.

No wood, and the fire goes out.
No talebearer, and quarrelling dies down.

第 25、26 章

有雲和風，但沒有雨。
就如人作出了許多承諾，但不實踐它們。

不過勞你鄰居的熱情款待，勉強忍受你。

如果不喜歡你的人餓了或渴了，
給他們一些東西吃或飲。
這樣你會使他們感覺羞愧而成為更好的人。

雨隨北風來。 一張憔悴臉源於批評的說話。

一座開放的城鎮，沒有防禦。
就如一個缺乏自我控制的人。

如一頭狗返回吃其嘔吐物
而愚人再做他們的愚行。

干涉他人的爭吵就像捉住一隻流浪狗的尾巴。

無柴，火就熄滅。
沒有搬弄是非者，爭吵就平息。

Lord, please stop me from being  critical of other people

主，請阻止我批評別人

Chapters 27 - 29

Do not boast about tomorrow,
since you do not know what will happen today.

Let others praise you,
but do not praise yourself.

Better open reproof
than voiceless love.

From one who loves, wounds are well-intentioned.
From one who hates, kisses are ominous.

He who admits his faults will prosper.
He who confesses and renounces his faults will find mercy.

A roaring lion, a hungry bear,
such is a bad ruler of a poor people.

第 27 – 29 章

不要吹噓明天，
因為你不知道今天會發生什麼。

讓別人稱讚你，但不要自我表揚。

公開譴責更勝無聲的愛。

愛你的人給你的創傷是善意的。
恨你的人給你的吻是不祥的。

誰承認他的過錯會成功。
誰供認並悔改他的過錯會找到寬容。

一隻咆哮的獅子、一隻餓熊，
就如窮人的暴君。

Lord, please help me practise the ideas in these words

主，請幫助我實踐本章的箴言

Chapters 30, 31

Every word of God is true and of great value.
Do not change or misinterpret God's words.

Do not give way to sexual excess.
Do not give way to drunkenness.

Be the voice of the poor, the unwanted.
Uphold the rights of the needy.

Happy the man who finds a good wife.
She is far beyond the price of pearls.

She looks after her household with care.
She works diligently for her family.

She holds out her hand to the poor.
She opens her arms to the needy.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty.
The woman who is wise is the one to praise.

第 30、31 章

神的每句話是正確的和很有價值。
不更改或曲解神的話。

不緃性慾。 不酗酒。

聲援窮人、被遺棄的人。 維護貧困者的權利。

找到一個賢妻的人是幸福的。
她遠遠超出珍珠的價值。

她小心照顧她的家庭。
她為她的家人努力工作。

她救濟窮人。 她扶助有需要的人。

魅力是虛假的，美麗是空洞的。
聰明的女人是受讚賞的一個。

Lord, thank you for all the wisdom in the Book of Proverbs!

主，為箴言裏的所有智慧感謝你！