| 德訓篇 |
Sirach |
| 1為發財而不寐，使人肉身消瘦；焦慮使人失眠。 |
1 Keeping watch over riches wastes the flesh, and the care of wealth drives away rest. |
| 2為生活焦慮，使人夢斷；極度的疲倦，驅散睡意。 |
2 Concern for one's livelihood banishes slumber; more than a serious illness it disturbs repose. |
| 3富人疲勞工作，是為積蓄財產，在退休時，飽享安樂； |
3The rich man labors to pile up wealth, and his only rest is wanton pleasure; |
| 4窮人疲勞工作，是為生活的急需，但到退休時，仍然貧乏。 |
4The poor man toils for a meager subsistence, and if ever he rests, he finds himself in want. |
| 5凡貪愛金錢的，不能稱為義人；凡追求利益的，必走入迷途。 |
5The lover of gold will not be free from sin, for he who pursues wealth is led astray by it. |
| 6許多人為了金錢而失足，他們的喪亡就在眼前。 |
6Many have been ensnared by gold, though destruction lay before their eyes; |
| 7金錢為拜金的人，是絆腳的木樁；迷愛黃金的人，是有禍的！一切愚人，都成了它的俘虜。 |
7It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it, a snare for every fool. |
| 8無瑕可指，不追求黃金，不寄望於金錢財寶的富人，是有福的！ |
8 Happy the rich man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain! |
| 9他是誰？我們要稱讚他，因為他在自己民族中，行了奇異的事。 |
9Who is he, that we may praise him? he, of all his kindred, has done wonders, |
| 10誰在這事上受過考驗，而仍是齊全的人呢？願永遠的光榮歸於他！他能犯法而未犯，能作惡而未作。 |
10For he has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory; He could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, |
| 11他在上主那裏的幸福，必然穩定；一切聖者的集會，必要讚揚他的慈善。 |
11So that his possessions are secure, and the assembly recounts his praises. |
| 12你要赴貴族人的筵席嗎？不要對筵席首先張口欲食， |
12 If you are dining with a great man, bring not a greedy gullet to his table, Nor cry out, "How much food there is here!" |
| 13也不要說：「桌上的東西真多！」 |
13Remember that gluttony is evil. No creature is greedier than the eye: therefore it weeps for any cause. |
| 14你要記得貪食的眼睛多麼不好。 |
14Recognize that your neighbor feels as you do, and keep in mind your own dislikes: |
| 15受造之物中，還有什麼比眼睛更貪婪的呢？因此，無論見到什麼，就要轉動。 |
15Toward what he eyes, do not put out a hand; nor reach when he does for the same dish. |
| 16別人用貪婪的眼所注視的地方，你不要先伸手，免得你因被猜忌而受辱。 |
16Behave at table like a favored guest, and be not greedy, lest you be despised. |
| 17也不要同他一起向盤碟伸手。 |
17Be the first to stop, as befits good manners; gorge not yourself, lest you give offense. |
| 18你要以己度人，在一切事上要壓制自己。 |
18If there are many with you at table, be not the first to reach out your hand. |
| 19給你端來的東西，你吃時，要像一個有節制的人，不要狼吞虎嚥，使人憎惡。 |
19Does not a little suffice for a well-bred man? When he lies down, it is without discomfort. |
| 20為了禮貌，你要首先停止，不要只貪多吃，而令人嫌惡。 |
20Distress and anguish and loss of sleep, and restless tossing for the glutton! Moderate eating ensures sound slumber and a clear mind next day on rising. |
| 21若你在許多人中坐席，不要在他們以先伸手；也不要在他們以先要求酒喝。 |
21 If perforce you have eaten too much, once you have emptied your stomach, you will have relief. |
| 22為有規律的人，少許酒便夠了；這樣，在床上既不氣喘，也不感到痛苦。 |
22Listen to me, my son, and scorn me not; later you will find my advice good. In whatever you do, be moderate, and no sickness will befall you. |
| 23飲食有節，睡眠安逸；這樣的人，清晨起來，明悟自然清爽； |
23On a man generous with food, blessings are invoked, and this testimony to his goodness is lasting; |
| 24但是沒有節制的人，卻要感到失眠、肚疼、嘔吐等痛苦。 |
24He who is miserly with food is denounced in public, and this testimony to his stinginess is lasting. |
| 25若你因被迫吃多了，你不妨起來散步嘔吐，休息一下，你的身體就不至於得病。 |
25Let not wine-drinking be the proof of your strength, for wine has been the ruin of many. |
| 26我兒，要聽我的話，不可輕視我，最後你會了解我的話； |
26As the furnace probes the work of the smith, so does wine the hearts of the insolent. |
| 27在你所行的一切事上，務要謹慎，就不會得到什麼病症。 |
27Wine is very life to man if taken in moderation. Does he really live who lacks the wine which was created for his joy? |
| 28慷慨設宴款待人的，必獲得眾口的稱讚；他大方的盛譽，是可信的。 |
28Joy of heart, good cheer and merriment are wine drunk freely at the proper time. |
| 29慳吝設宴款待人的，必遭受全城的抱怨；他慳吝的惡名，是確實的。 |
29Headache, bitterness and disgrace is wine drunk amid anger and strife. |
| 30飲酒時，不要表示你是個豪飲的人，因為酒害死了許多人。 |
30More and more wine is a snare for the fool; it lessens his strength and multiplies his wounds. |
| 31火能鍛煉鋼鐵；同樣，酒也能判別驕傲人在爭辯時的心情。 |
31Rebuke not your neighbor when wine is served, nor put him to shame while he is merry; Use no harsh words with him and distress him not in the presence of others. |
| 32適量的酒，彷彿是人的生命，只要你飲得適當，你必清醒舒暢。 |
32 |
| 33人缺少酒，他的生活，還算什麼生活？ |
33 |
| 34殘害生命的是什麼？是死亡。 |
34 |
| 35造酒原來是為使人愉快，並不是叫人酣醉。 |
35 |
| 36飲酒有時有節，使人心裏高興，精神愉快。 |
36 |
| 37飲酒有節有度，可以健心強身。 |
37 |
| 38飲酒過度，容易使人爭吵忿怒，甚至闖出許多禍來。 |
38 |
| 39飲酒過度的人，因情緒受到刺激，心神自然苦悶。 |
39 |
| 40酣醉能激起愚人發怒，得罪人；酣醉能減少人的精力，給人帶來創傷。 |
40 |
| 41在宴飲時，不要責斥人，也不要因人快樂而輕視他； |
41 |
| 42不要向人說責怪的話，也不要逼人交還什麼錢財。 |
42 |
