| 德訓篇 |
Sirach |
| 1永生的天主，一舉而創造了萬物，惟有上主堪稱是正義的，永遠是常勝的君王。 |
1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just. |
| 2無人能詳述他的化工； |
2Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds? |
| 3誰能窮究他的偉大？ |
3Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies? |
| 4誰能述盡他威嚴的權力？誰能說完他的仁慈？ |
4One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD. |
| 5上主的奇妙化工，人不能增損，也無法窮究。 |
5When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered. |
| 6當人以為完畢時，他卻正在開始；當人以為停止時，卻仍感到迷惑。 |
6What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these? |
| 7人是什麼，他有什麼用途？對於天主，他有什麼好處，有什麼害處？ |
7The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years: |
| 8人的年齡，至多一百歲，就像海水的一滴，沙中的一粒，在永遠的日子裏，連一千年，也不過如此。 |
8Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity. |
| 9為此，上主忍耐他們，在他們身上傾注自己的仁慈。 |
9That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy. |
| 10他明見而且深知，他們的結局是兇惡的，知道他們的滅亡是悲慘的。 |
10He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more. |
| 11為此，天主對他們大加寬恕，給他們指出正義的途徑。 |
11Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh, |
| 12人的慈愛只朝向自己的近人，而上主的憐愛，卻臨於一切有血肉的人。 |
12Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock; |
| 13懷有仁慈的上主，勸告、懲戒、教訓世人，領他們回來，正如牧人領回自己的羊群。 |
13Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts. |
| 14領受他的教導，和渴慕他判斷的人，他必加以憐憫。 |
14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words. |
| 15我兒，你救濟時，不要加以責斥；你施惠時，不要說使人傷心的話。 |
15Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift. |
| 16露水不是可以消除炎熱嗎？同樣，一句好話比恩惠更快人心。 |
16Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man. |
| 17一句好話，不是勝過恩惠嗎？但是，只有仁愛的人，纔能作到這兩點。 |
17Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes. |
| 18愚人只會無禮責斥人；慳吝人的恩惠，使人目光消沉。 |
18Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure. |
| 19在審判以前，你要具備正義感，在講話以前，應先學習。 |
19 Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom. |
| 20在未病以前，應善自珍重。在審判以前，應審察自己，這樣，當天主來視察你的時候，你必能尋獲寬恕。 |
20Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance. |
| 21在未病之先，你要謙卑自下；在有罪的時候，要表示懺悔。 |
21Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress. |
| 22不要讓什麼阻礙你指定的時期還願，也不要等到臨死纔行義，因為天主的賞報永遠存在。 |
22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying. |
| 23在許願以前，你應善自準備，免得你像是一個試探上主的人。 |
23Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD. |
| 24你要思念天主在末日的震怒，和他報復時，轉面不顧。 |
24Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face. |
| 25豐收時，要記得饑荒時；富裕時，要想到窮困時。 |
25Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth. |
| 26從早到晚，時辰更替，在上主面前，一切都要迅速過去。 |
26Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting. |
| 27明智人凡事謹慎，在易犯罪的日子，必然小心而不犯罪。 |
27A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing. |
| 28凡是智慧的人，都認識智慧；找着她的人，智慧必加以稱許。 |
28 Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise; |
| 29明白箴言的，就是智慧人，他們懂得真理與正義，並且流露出卓絕的格言。 |
29Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters. |
| 30不要順從你的慾情，要抑制你的慾望。 |
30 Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check. |
| 31假使你滿足你的情慾，它必使你成為你敵人的笑柄。 |
31If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies. |
| 32不要喜愛奢侈的生活，也不要加入這樣的集會。在集會中，不拘人多少，你也不要找尋快樂，因為在那裏，人總不免沾染罪惡。 |
32Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled; |
| 33幾時你囊中一無所有，不要借貸設宴，而使你陷於窮困；否則，便是苦害你的生命。 |
33Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse. |
