< Proverbs 18 >

1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
與眾寡合的,獨自尋求心願, 並惱恨一切真智慧。
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
愚昧人不喜愛明哲, 只喜愛顯露心意。
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
惡人來,藐視隨來; 羞恥到,辱罵同到。
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
人口中的言語如同深水; 智慧的泉源好像湧流的河水。
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgement.
瞻徇惡人的情面, 偏斷義人的案件,都為不善。
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
愚昧人張嘴啟爭端, 開口招鞭打。
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
愚昧人的口自取敗壞; 他的嘴是他生命的網羅。
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
傳舌人的言語如同美食, 深入人的心腹。
9 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
做工懈怠的, 與浪費人為弟兄。
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
耶和華的名是堅固臺; 義人奔入便得安穩。
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
富足人的財物是他的堅城, 在他心想,猶如高牆。
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
敗壞之先,人心驕傲; 尊榮以前,必有謙卑。
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
未曾聽完先回答的, 便是他的愚昧和羞辱。
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
人有疾病,心能忍耐; 心靈憂傷,誰能承當呢?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
聰明人的心得知識; 智慧人的耳求知識。
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him amongst princes.
人的禮物為他開路, 引他到高位的人面前。
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
先訴情由的,似乎有理; 但鄰舍來到,就察出實情。
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
掣籤能止息爭競, 也能解散強勝的人。
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
弟兄結怨,勸他和好,比取堅固城還難; 這樣的爭競如同堅寨的門閂。
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
人口中所結的果子,必充滿肚腹; 他嘴所出的,必使他飽足。
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
生死在舌頭的權下, 喜愛它的,必吃它所結的果子。
22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
得着賢妻的,是得着好處, 也是蒙了耶和華的恩惠。
貧窮人說哀求的話; 富足人用威嚇的話回答。
濫交朋友的,自取敗壞; 但有一朋友比弟兄更親密。

< Proverbs 18 >