信靠耶和華
1孩子啊，不要忘記我的訓言，
要把我的誡命存在心裡，
2因為這必使你延年益壽，
幸福平安。
3不要讓慈愛和信實離開你，
要把他們繫在你的頸項上，
刻在你的心坎上。
4這樣，你必蒙上帝和世人的喜悅，
享有美譽。
5你要全心信靠耶和華，
不可倚靠自己的悟性。
6凡事都要尋求祂，
祂必指引你走正路。
7不要自以為有智慧，
要敬畏耶和華，遠離惡事。
8這樣可醫治你的身體，
滋潤你的筋骨。
9你要用自己的財富和一切初熟的物產來尊崇耶和華，
10祂必使你五穀滿倉，
榨酒池溢出新釀。
11孩子啊，不可輕視耶和華的管教，
也不可厭煩祂的責備。
12因為耶和華責備祂所愛的人，
就像父親責備他所疼愛的孩子。
13找到智慧、得到悟性的人有福了，
14因為智慧比銀子更有價值，
比金子更有益處，
15比珠寶更珍貴；
你所喜愛的一切都難以相比。
16智慧的右手有長壽，
左手有富貴和尊榮。
17她的路上有福樂，
她的道上有平安。
18對持守智慧的人來說，
智慧是生命樹，
緊握智慧的人必蒙祝福。
19耶和華以智慧奠立大地，
以悟性鋪設諸天；
20祂的知識使深淵裂開，
使天上降下甘霖。
21孩子啊，你要守護智慧和明辨力，
別讓她們離開你的視線。
22她們必給你帶來生命，
作你頸項上華美的裝飾。
23如此，你必步履穩健，不致失足；
24你必安然躺臥，睡得香甜。
25不要怕突來的災禍，
不要怕惡人遭毀滅，
26因為耶和華是你的靠山，
祂使你的腳不陷入網羅。
27倘若有力量行善，
就當幫助有需要的人，不要推託。
28倘若可以幫忙，
就不可對有求於你的鄰人說：
「回去吧，明天再來，我必給你！」
29鄰舍在你附近安分居住，
不可謀害他。
30別人若沒有害你，
不要無故與他相爭。
31不要羡慕殘暴之徒，
也不可步其後塵，
32因為耶和華憎惡邪僻之徒，
喜愛正直的人。
33耶和華咒詛惡人的家，
賜福義人的家。
34耶和華譏笑好譏誚的人，
恩待謙卑的人。
35智者得尊榮，
愚人受羞辱。
More Good Things Come From Wisdom
1My son, do not forget my teaching.
Keep my commands in your heart.
2They will help you live for many years.
They will bring you peace and success.
3Don’t let love and truth ever leave you.
Tie them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Then you will find favor and a good name
in the eyes of God and people.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Do not depend on your own understanding.
6In all your ways obey him.
Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.
7Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
Have respect for the Lord and avoid evil.
8That will bring health to your body.
It will make your bones strong.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth.
Give him the first share of all your crops.
10Then your storerooms will be so full they can’t hold everything.
Your huge jars will spill over with fresh wine.
11My son, do not hate the Lord’s training.
Do not object when he corrects you.
12The Lord trains those he loves.
He is like a father who trains the son he is pleased with.
13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.
Blessed is the one who gains understanding.
14Wisdom pays better than silver does.
She earns more than gold does.
15She is worth more than rubies.
Nothing you want can compare with her.
16Long life is in her right hand.
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are pleasant ways.
All her paths lead to peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.
Those who hold her close will be blessed.
19By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.
Through understanding he set the heavens in place.
20By his knowledge the seas were separated,
and the clouds dropped their dew.
21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight.
Hold on to good sense and the understanding of what is right.
22They will be life for you.
They will be like a gracious necklace around your neck.
23Then you will go on your way in safety.
You will not trip and fall.
24When you lie down, you won’t be afraid.
When you lie down, you will sleep soundly.
25Don’t be terrified by sudden trouble.
Don’t be afraid when sinners are destroyed.
26The Lord will be at your side.
He will keep your feet from being caught in a trap.
27Don’t hold back good from those who are worthy of it.
Don’t hold it back when you can help.
28Suppose you already have something to give.
Don’t say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow.
I’ll give it to you then.”
29Don’t plan to harm your neighbor.
He lives near you and trusts you.
30Don’t bring charges against anyone for no reason.
They have not harmed you.
31Don’t be jealous of a person who hurts others.
Don’t choose any of their ways.
32The Lord really hates sinful people.
But he makes honest people his closest friends.
33The Lord puts a curse on the houses of sinners.
But he blesses the homes of those who do what is right.
34He makes fun of proud people who make fun of others.
But he gives grace to those who are humble and treated badly.
35Wise people receive honor.
But foolish people get only shame.
