Proverbs 18

1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.

與眾寡合的，獨自尋求心願， 並惱恨一切真智慧。

2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.

愚昧人不喜愛明哲， 只喜愛顯露心意。

3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.

惡人來，藐視隨來； 羞恥到，辱罵同到。

4 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.

人口中的言語如同深水； 智慧的泉源好像湧流的河水。

5 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.

瞻徇惡人的情面， 偏斷義人的案件，都為不善。

6 the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.

愚昧人張嘴啟爭端， 開口招鞭打。

7 The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, 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 the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.

傳舌人的言語如同美食， 深入人的心腹。

9 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.

做工懈怠的， 與浪費人為弟兄。

10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.

耶和華的名是堅固臺； 義人奔入便得安穩。

11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.

富足人的財物是他的堅城， 在他心想，猶如高牆。

12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.

敗壞之先，人心驕傲； 尊榮以前，必有謙卑。

13 He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.

未曾聽完先回答的， 便是他的愚昧和羞辱。

14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?

人有疾病，心能忍耐； 心靈憂傷，誰能承當呢？

15 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.

聰明人的心得知識； 智慧人的耳求知識。

16 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.

人的禮物為他開路， 引他到高位的人面前。

17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.

先訴情由的，似乎有理； 但鄰舍來到，就察出實情。

18 The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.

掣籤能止息爭競， 也能解散強勝的人。

19 A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.

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 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.

人口中所結的果子，必充滿肚腹； 他嘴所出的，必使他飽足。

21 Death and life, are in the power of the tongue, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.

生死在舌頭的權下， 喜愛它的，必吃它所結的果子。

22 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.

得着賢妻的，是得着好處， 也是蒙了耶和華的恩惠。

23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.

貧窮人說哀求的話； 富足人用威嚇的話回答。

24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.

濫交朋友的，自取敗壞； 但有一朋友比弟兄更親密。