Proverbs 18
1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
人と交わりをしない者は口実を捜し、すべてのよい考えに激しく反対する。
2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
愚かな者は悟ることを喜ばず、ただ自分の意見を言い表わすことを喜ぶ。
3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
悪しき者が来ると、卑しめもまた来る、不名誉が来ると、はずかしめも共にくる。
4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
人の口の言葉は深い水のようだ、知恵の泉は、わいて流れる川である。
5 It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
悪しき者をえこひいきすることは良くない、正しい者をさばいて、悪しき者とすることも良くない。
6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
愚かな者のくちびるは争いを起し、その口はむち打たれることを招く。
7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
愚かな者の口は自分の滅びとなり、そのくちびるは自分を捕えるわなとなる。
8 The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
人のよしあしをいう者の言葉はおいしい食物のようで、腹の奥にしみこむ。
9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
その仕事を怠る者は、滅ぼす者の兄弟である。
10 The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
主の名は堅固なやぐらのようだ、正しい者はその中に走りこんで救を得る。
11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
富める者の富はその堅き城である、それは高き城壁のように彼を守る。
12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
人の心の高ぶりは滅びにさきだち、謙遜は栄誉にさきだつ。
13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
事をよく聞かないで答える者は、愚かであって恥をこうむる。
14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
人の心は病苦をも忍ぶ、しかし心の痛むときは、だれがそれに耐えようか。
15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
さとき者の心は知識を得、知恵ある者の耳は知識を求める。
16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
人の贈り物は、その人のために道をひらき、また尊い人の前に彼を導く。
17 The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
先に訴え出る者は正しいように見える、しかしその訴えられた人が来て、それを調べて、事は明らかになる。
18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
くじは争いをとどめ、かつ強い争い相手の間を決定する。
19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
助けあう兄弟は堅固な城のようだ、しかし争いは、やぐらの貫の木のようだ。
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
人は自分の言葉の結ぶ実によって、満ち足り、そのくちびるの産物によって自ら飽きる。
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
死と生とは舌に支配される、これを愛する者はその実を食べる。
22 He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
妻を得る者は、良き物を得る、かつ主から恵みを与えられる。
23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
貧しい者は、あわれみを請い、富める者は、はげしい答をする。
24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
世には友らしい見せかけの友がある、しかし兄弟よりもたのもしい友もある。
