Proverbs 25

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

以下也是所羅門的箴言，是猶大王希西家的人所謄錄的。

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

將事隱祕乃上帝的榮耀； 將事察清乃君王的榮耀。

3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

天之高，地之厚， 君王之心也測不透。

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.

除去銀子的渣滓就有銀子出來， 銀匠能以做器皿。

5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

除去王面前的惡人， 國位就靠公義堅立。

6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place amongst great men;

不要在王面前妄自尊大； 不要在大人的位上站立。

7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.

寧可有人說：請你上來， 強如在你覲見的王子面前叫你退下。

8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?

不要冒失出去與人爭競， 免得至終被他羞辱， 你就不知道怎樣行了。

9 Debate your case with your neighbour, and don’t betray the confidence of another,

你與鄰舍爭訟， 要與他一人辯論， 不可洩漏人的密事，

10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.

恐怕聽見的人罵你， 你的臭名就難以脫離。

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

一句話說得合宜， 就如金蘋果在銀網子裏。

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

智慧人的勸戒，在順從的人耳中， 好像金耳環和精金的妝飾。

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

忠信的使者叫差他的人心裏舒暢， 就如在收割時有冰雪的涼氣。

14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

空誇贈送禮物的， 好像無雨的風雲。

15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

恆常忍耐可以勸動君王； 柔和的舌頭能折斷骨頭。

16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

你得了蜜嗎？只可吃夠而已， 恐怕你過飽就嘔吐出來。

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

你的腳要少進鄰舍的家， 恐怕他厭煩你，恨惡你。

18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

作假見證陷害鄰舍的， 就是大槌，是利刀，是快箭。

19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.

患難時倚靠不忠誠的人， 好像破壞的牙，錯骨縫的腳。

20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

對傷心的人唱歌， 就如冷天脫衣服， 又如鹼上倒醋。

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

你的仇敵若餓了，就給他飯吃； 若渴了，就給他水喝；

22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

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。

23 The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

北風生雨， 讒謗人的舌頭也生怒容。

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.

寧可住在房頂的角上， 不在寬闊的房屋與爭吵的婦人同住。

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

有好消息從遠方來， 就如拿涼水給口渴的人喝。

26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

義人在惡人面前退縮， 好像詵渾之泉，弄濁之井。

27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.

吃蜜過多是不好的； 考究自己的榮耀也是可厭的。

28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

人不制伏自己的心， 好像毀壞的城邑沒有牆垣。