| 德訓篇 |
Sirach |
| 1疼愛自己兒子的，應當時常鞭打他，好能因他的將來而喜悅，免得他將來沿門乞食。 |
1 He who loves his son chastises him often, that he may be his joy when he grows up. |
| 2訓導自己兒子的，必會因他而得幸福；在自己親屬相識前，也必會因他而自豪。 |
2He who disciplines his son will benefit from him, and boast of him among his intimates. |
| 3教訓自己兒子的，會激起仇人的嫉妒；但在朋友前，必會因他而高興。 |
3He who educates his son makes his enemy jealous, and shows his delight in him among his friends. |
| 4他的父親雖然死了，卻像沒有死一樣，因為他留下了一個相似自己的人。 |
4At the father's death, he will seem not dead, since he leaves after him one like himself, |
| 5他在生時，一見自己的兒子，心裏就喜歡；在臨終時，不會憂慮，在仇人前，也不會蒙羞。 |
5Whom he looks upon through life with joy, and even in death, without regret: |
| 6對於仇人，他留下了一個報仇的人；對於朋友他留下了一個報恩的人。 |
6The avenger he leaves against his foes, and the one to repay his friends with kindness. |
| 7至於那放縱兒子的，日後他必包紮兒子的創傷；每聽到他的叫聲，心裏就苦惱。 |
7He who spoils his son will have wounds to bandage, and will quake inwardly at every outcry. |
| 8不馴服的馬，是難以駕馭的；任性的兒子，必然魯莽執拗。 |
8A colt untamed turns out stubborn; a son left to himself grows up unruly. |
| 9姑息孩子，日後他必會使你驚駭；同他開玩笑，日後他必會使你悲傷。 |
9Pamper your child and he will be a terror for you, indulge him and he will bring you grief. |
| 10不要和他戲笑，免得將來同他一起悲傷；最後切齒痛恨。 |
10Share not in his frivolity lest you share in his sorrow, when finally your teeth are clenched in remorse. |
| 11在他年輕時，不要讓他放任自由；對他的過失，不可忽略不顧。 |
11Give him not his own way in his youth, and close not your eyes to his follies. |
| 12在他年輕時，要使他低首下心；趁他還小時，要叫他屈己服從，以免他轉為倔強，不服從你，使你傷心。 |
12Bend him to the yoke when he is young, thrash his sides while he is still small, Lest he become stubborn, disobey you, and leave you disconsolate. |
| 13要教訓你的兒子，叫他勤勞，免得你因他的無恥，絆倒受辱。 |
13Discipline your son, make heavy his yoke, lest his folly humiliate you. |
| 14強健而有力的窮人，勝過受疾病折磨，而虛弱的富人。 |
14 Better a poor man strong and robust, than a rich man with wasted frame. |
| 15健康和強壯的體格，尤其靈魂在正義的聖德上，所享的健康，比一切黃金更有價值；健全的身體比無數的財富更好。 |
15More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit than coral. |
| 16沒有一種財富，能勝過身體的健康；也沒有一種快樂，能超過內心的喜悅。 |
16No treasure greater than a healthy body; no happiness, than a joyful heart! |
| 17死亡比辛酸的人生更好；永久的安息，勝於不斷的病苦。 |
17 Preferable is death to a bitter life, unending sleep to constant illness. |
| 18對有口不能下嚥的人，端來的美味，等於設在墓旁的祭筵。 |
18Dainties set before one who cannot eat are like the offerings placed before a tomb. |
| 19祭祀對偶像有什麼用處？既不能吃，又不能聞： |
19What good is an offering to an idol that can neither taste nor smell? |
| 20被上主懲罰，承擔自己罪孽報應的人，正是如此。 |
20So it is with the afflicted man who groans at the good things his eyes behold! |
| 21他用眼一看，就喟然長嘆，正如一個閹人，擁抱着處女，而喟然長嘆一樣。 |
21Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding; |
| 22不要使你的心靈沉陷在憂愁裏，也不要因無謂的思慮，而自尋苦惱。 |
22Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days. |
| 23心中喜樂是人的生命，是聖德的無盡寶藏；人心愉快，可享長壽。 |
23Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you; For worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment. |
| 24對你的靈魂要有愛情，又要悅樂天主，克制自己，以上主的聖德，安慰你的心，使憂愁遠離你。 |
24Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings on premature old age. |
| 25因為憂愁害死了許多人，憂愁對人毫無益處。 |
25One who is cheerful and gay while at table benefits from his food. |
| 26嫉妒和忿怒，能使壽命縮短；苦心積慮，使人未老先衰。 |
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| 27心中喜樂而善良的人，必殷勤做好自己餐桌上的食物。 |
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