| 德訓篇 |
Sirach |
| 1懶惰人彷彿一塊污穢的石頭，對他的醜行，人人發出唏噓聲。 |
1 The sluggard is like a stone in the mud; everyone hisses at his disgrace. |
| 2懶惰人好比一堆牛糞，摸着的人，都將它從手中抖掉。 |
2The sluggard is like a lump of dung; whoever touches him wipes his hands. |
| 3一個不受管教的兒子，是父親的恥辱；生了這樣的女兒，是父親的損失。 |
3An unruly child is a disgrace to its father; if it be a daughter she brings him to poverty. |
| 4明智的女兒，是丈夫的寶藏；無恥的女兒，是父親的憂傷。 |
4A thoughtful daughter becomes a treasure to her husband, a shameless one is her father's grief. |
| 5放蕩的婦女，羞辱自己的父親和丈夫，並不次於不虔敬的人：父親和丈夫都要輕視她。 |
5A hussy shames her father and her husband; by both she is despised. |
| 6不合時宜的言論，有如悲哀中的音樂；教鞭和訓誨，無論什麼時候，常是明智的。 |
6 Like a song in time of mourning is inopportune talk, but lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom. |
| 7教訓愚人，無異黏合陶器碎片； |
7Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken pot, or like disturbing a man in the depths of sleep; |
| 8向不願聽的人講話，就像喚醒熟睡的人。 |
8He talks with a slumberer who talks with a fool, for when it is over, he will say, "What was that?" |
| 9給愚人講話，等於向睡覺的人講話；話說完了，他還問什麼事？ |
9Weep over the dead man, for his light has gone out; weep over the fool, for sense has left him. |
| 10要為亡者哀哭，因為他已失去了光明；更要為愚人哀哭，因為他已失去了明悟。 |
10Weep but a little over the dead man, for he is at rest; but worse than death is the life of a fool. |
| 11哀悼亡者要有節，因為他已得到了安息； |
11Seven days of mourning for the dead, but for the wicked fool a whole lifetime. |
| 12然而邪惡愚人不幸的生命，比死亡更為可悲。 |
12Speak but seldom with the stupid man, be not the companion of a brute; |
| 13哀悼死者，為期不過七天；悲哭愚人與不虔敬的人，卻是一生。 |
13Beware of him lest you have trouble and be spattered when he shakes himself; Turn away from him and you will find rest and not be wearied by his lack of sense. |
| 14同愚人不要長談，與無知的人要交往。 |
14What is heavier than lead, and what is its name but "Fool"? |
| 15要謹慎防備他，就不致招惹煩惱；即便他噴唾，你也不至於受玷污。 |
15Sand and salt and an iron mass are easier to bear than a stupid man. |
| 16他要遠離他，你就得享安寧，不至於因他的愚蠢而感到厭煩。 |
16 Masonry bonded with wooden beams is not loosened by an earthquake; Neither is a resolve constructed with careful deliberation shaken in a moment of fear. |
| 17什麼東西比鉛還重？比鉛還重的東西的名字，不是「愚人」麼？ |
17A resolve that is backed by prudent understanding is like the polished surface of a smooth wall. |
| 18沙、鹽、鐵堆雖重，但比忍耐一個無知糊塗而不虔敬的人，更容易擔負。 |
18Small stones lying on an open height will not remain when the wind blows; Neither can a timid resolve based on foolish plans withstand fear of any kind. |
| 19用棟梁支持的建築物，在地動時不致倒塌；同樣，深思熟慮而鎮定的心，危險時也不會畏懼。 |
19 One who jabs the eye brings tears: he who pierces the heart bares its feelings. |
| 20以智慧的思想為基礎的心，有如光滑的牆壁上塗的灰泥。 |
20He who throws stones at birds drives them away, and he who insults a friend breaks up the friendship. |
| 21高處的籬笆，經不起風吹； |
21Should you draw a sword against a friend, despair not, it can be undone. |
| 22同樣，那因愚昧的思想而恐懼的心，也禁不住任何驚嚇。 |
22Should you speak sharply to a friend, fear not, you can be reconciled. But a contemptuous insult, a confidence broken, or a treacherous attack will drive away any friend. |
| 23就如愚人在思慮時心雖游移不定，卻無時感到恐懼，就像常守天主法律的人一樣。 |
23Make fast friends with a man while he is poor; thus will you enjoy his prosperity with him. In time of trouble remain true to him, so as to share in his inheritance when it comes. |
| 24剌激人眼，會引出眼淚；剌激人心，會顯出真情。 |
24Before flames burst forth an oven smokes; so does abuse come before bloodshed. |
| 25拋石打鳥，會使鳥驚飛；責罵友人會斷絕友情。 |
25From a friend in need of support no one need hide in shame; |
| 26若你已向友人拔出利劍，不要失望，因為還可恢復舊交； |
26But from him who brings harm to his friend all will stand aloof who hear of it. |
| 27若你已對友人開口攻擊，不要害怕，因為還能和好如初；惟有辱罵、責斥、驕傲、洩漏秘密、暗中傷害，能使朋友疏遠。 |
27 Who will set a guard over my mouth, and upon my lips an effective seal, That I may not fail through them, that my tongue may not destroy me? |
| 28你的朋友窮困的時候，你要對他忠誠；到他富裕時，你便可以與他共享福利。 |
28 |
| 29他遭難的時候，你要待他始終如一；這樣，你就可以分享他的產業。 |
29 |
| 30火生起以前，爐中冒氣冒煙；同樣，流血以前、也有咒罵、凌辱和威嚇。 |
30 |
| 31我不害羞保護一個朋友，也不躲藏而不與他見面，雖然為了他我要遭遇什麼不幸，我也忍受。 |
31 |
| 32雖然如此，若他還不知恩，凡聽見這事的人，必對他加以防範。 |
32 |
| 33誰能在我的口上派一個守衛，在我的唇上貼上一張穩妥的封條，免得我因口過而跌倒，因我的唇舌而自取滅亡？ |
33 |
