Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

王的心在耶和華手中， 好像隴溝的水隨意流轉。

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.

人所行的，在自己眼中都看為正； 惟有耶和華衡量人心。

3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

行仁義公平 比獻祭更蒙耶和華悅納。

4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

惡人發達，眼高心傲， 這乃是罪。

5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

殷勤籌劃的，足致豐裕； 行事急躁的，都必缺乏。

6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour for those who seek death.

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。

7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

惡人的強暴必將自己掃除， 因他們不肯按公平行事。

8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

負罪之人的路甚是彎曲； 至於清潔的人，他所行的乃是正直。

9 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。

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbour finds no mercy in his eyes.

惡人的心樂人受禍； 他眼並不憐恤鄰舍。

11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

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。

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

義人思想惡人的家， 知道惡人傾倒，必致滅亡。

13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

塞耳不聽窮人哀求的， 他將來呼籲也不蒙應允。

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

暗中送的禮物挽回怒氣； 懷中搋的賄賂止息暴怒。

15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

秉公行義使義人喜樂， 使作孽的人敗壞。

16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

迷離通達道路的， 必住在陰魂的會中。

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.

愛宴樂的，必致窮乏； 好酒，愛膏油的，必不富足。

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.

惡人作了義人的贖價； 奸詐人代替正直人。

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

寧可住在曠野， 不與爭吵使氣的婦人同住。

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

智慧人家中積蓄寶物膏油； 愚昧人隨得來隨吞下。

21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honour.

追求公義仁慈的， 就尋得生命、公義，和尊榮。

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

智慧人爬上勇士的城牆， 傾覆他所倚靠的堅壘。

23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

謹守口與舌的， 就保守自己免受災難。

24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.

心驕氣傲的人名叫褻慢； 他行事狂妄，都出於驕傲。

25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labour.

懶惰人的心願將他殺害， 因為他手不肯做工。

26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

有終日貪得無饜的； 義人施捨而不吝惜。

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

惡人的祭物是可憎的； 何況他存惡意來獻呢？

28 A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.

作假見證的必滅亡； 惟有聽真情而言的，其言長存。

29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

惡人臉無羞恥； 正直人行事堅定。

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

沒有人能以智慧、聰明、 謀略敵擋耶和華。

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.

馬是為打仗之日預備的； 得勝乃在乎耶和華。