箴言 21

1 王的心在耶和華手中， 好像隴溝的水隨意流轉。

[Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.

2 人所行的，在自己眼中都看為正； 惟有耶和華衡量人心。

Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.

3 行仁義公平 比獻祭更蒙耶和華悅納。

To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.

4 惡人發達，眼高心傲， 這乃是罪。

Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.

5 殷勤籌劃的，足致豐裕； 行事急躁的，都必缺乏。

The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.

6 用詭詐之舌求財的，就是自己取死； 所得之財乃是吹來吹去的浮雲。

The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,

7 惡人的強暴必將自己掃除， 因他們不肯按公平行事。

The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.

8 負罪之人的路甚是彎曲； 至於清潔的人，他所行的乃是正直。

Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.

9 寧可住在房頂的角上， 不在寬闊的房屋與爭吵的婦人同住。

Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.

10 惡人的心樂人受禍； 他眼並不憐恤鄰舍。

The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 褻慢的人受刑罰，愚蒙的人就得智慧； 智慧人受訓誨，便得知識。

When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 義人思想惡人的家， 知道惡人傾倒，必致滅亡。

The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.

13 塞耳不聽窮人哀求的， 他將來呼籲也不蒙應允。

He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.

14 暗中送的禮物挽回怒氣； 懷中搋的賄賂止息暴怒。

A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.

15 秉公行義使義人喜樂， 使作孽的人敗壞。

It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.

16 迷離通達道路的， 必住在陰魂的會中。

The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.

17 愛宴樂的，必致窮乏； 好酒，愛膏油的，必不富足。

A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.

18 惡人作了義人的贖價； 奸詐人代替正直人。

A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.

19 寧可住在曠野， 不與爭吵使氣的婦人同住。

Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.

20 智慧人家中積蓄寶物膏油； 愚昧人隨得來隨吞下。

Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.

21 追求公義仁慈的， 就尋得生命、公義，和尊榮。

He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.

22 智慧人爬上勇士的城牆， 傾覆他所倚靠的堅壘。

A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

23 謹守口與舌的， 就保守自己免受災難。

He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.

24 心驕氣傲的人名叫褻慢； 他行事狂妄，都出於驕傲。

A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.

25 懶惰人的心願將他殺害， 因為他手不肯做工。

The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.

26 有終日貪得無饜的； 義人施捨而不吝惜。

All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.

27 惡人的祭物是可憎的； 何況他存惡意來獻呢？

The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!

28 作假見證的必滅亡； 惟有聽真情而言的，其言長存。

A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.

29 惡人臉無羞恥； 正直人行事堅定。

A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.

30 沒有人能以智慧、聰明、 謀略敵擋耶和華。

There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.

31 馬是為打仗之日預備的； 得勝乃在乎耶和華。

The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.