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。
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.3:6 Or will direct your paths
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child
13Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
