| 德訓篇 |
Sirach |
| 1別人推選你當主席麼？你不要自高；你在賓客中間，要與同席的一樣。 |
1If you are chosen to preside at dinner, be not puffed up, but with the guests be as one of themselves; Take care of them first before you sit down; |
| 2招待了他們，你纔可入座；盡完你的義務，纔可入席， |
2when you have fulfilled your duty, then take your place, To share in their joy and win praise for your hospitality. |
| 3好同他們一起歡樂；因你禮貌週到，你必能獲得榮冠，和眾賓客的敬意。 |
3Being older, you may talk; that is only your right, but temper your wisdom, not to disturb the singing. |
| 4年長的人，請你發言，因為此事於你是相宜的， |
4When wine is present, do not pour out discourse, and flaunt not your wisdom at the wrong time. |
| 5你應以老練的學識發言，但不要防礙音樂。 |
5Like a seal of carnelian in a setting of gold is a concert when wine is served. |
| 6別人不聽的時候，你就不要勞叨；不合時機，也不要顯露你的智慧。 |
6Like a gold mounting with an emerald seal is string music with delicious wine. |
| 7酒席間伴奏的音樂，有如金飾上的紅玉印章。 |
7Young man, speak only when necessary, when they have asked you more than once; |
| 8歡樂有節的宴會中，音樂家的合奏曲，有如金器上的翡翠印章。 |
8Be brief, but say much in those few words, be like the wise man, taciturn. |
| 9你要靜靜地聽，因為你謙恭，別人對你必有好感。 |
9When among your elders be not forward, and with officials be not too insistent. |
| 10青年人，人若一再追問你， |
10Like the lightning that flashes before a storm is the esteem that shines on modesty. |
| 11假使你必須說，你就說罷！ |
11When it is time to leave, tarry not; be off for home! There take your ease, |
| 12但說話時，要把握要點，言簡意賅，現出你是一位明智，而沈默的人。 |
12And there enjoy doing as you wish, but without sin or words of pride. |
| 13在大人物中，不要想你也是大人物；有長老在前，你不應多說話。 |
13Above all, give praise to your Creator, who showers his favors upon you. |
| 14雷鳴以前，先有閃電；端莊的人，先受歡迎。有了這番敬意，你纔能取得人的愛戴。 |
14 He who would find God must accept discipline; he who seeks him obtains his request. |
| 15到了散席的時候，不要落後；及早回家，不要拖延。 |
15He who studies the law masters it, but the hypocrite finds it a trap. |
| 16在那裏你可以散心，作你想作的事，但不要因言語傲慢而犯罪。 |
16His judgment is sound who fears the LORD; out of obscurity he draws forth a clear plan. |
| 17為這一切，你要讚頌上主，他造生了你，又用他的美物，使你滿足。 |
17The sinner turns aside reproof and distorts the law to suit his purpose. |
| 18凡敬畏上主的，必能接受他的教訓；凡尋找他的，必能討他的歡心。 |
18The thoughtful man will not neglect direction; the proud and insolent man is deterred by nothing. |
| 19尋求法律的，必為法律所滿足；冒充善人的，必因法律而失足。 |
19Do nothing without counsel, and then you need have no regrets. |
| 20凡敬畏上主的，必獲得正義的審判；他們要使正直的行為，照耀如光。 |
20Go not on a way that is set with snares, and let not the same thing trip you twice. |
| 21犯罪的人，不理會譴責，卻找尋藉口，作自己願意的事。明智人不掩藏智慧。譏笑人的，不謹守自己的口舌；明智人不接受禮物；驕傲和譏笑人的，不遵守法律。 |
21Be not too sure even of smooth roads, |
| 22明智人不輕視別人的意見；不虔敬和驕傲的人，卻無所畏懼。 |
22be careful on all your paths. |
| 23人不徵求意見，冒昧從事，事後必對自己的輕率，感到慚愧。 |
23Whatever you do, be on your guard, for in this way you will keep the commandments. |
| 24我兒，不加考慮，什麼事也不要作；如此，事成以後，你就不至於後悔。 |
24He who keeps the law preserves himself; and he who trusts in the LORD shall not be put to shame. |
| 25你不要行崎嶇的道路，怕你碰在石頭上，因而跌倒；也不要自信所走的路，是平坦的路，怕你給自己放上絆腳石。 |
25 |
| 26要管束你的子女，應留意你的家人；在你的一切行徑上，要持守你的心神；因為凡這樣作的人，就是遵守誡命。 |
26 |
| 27在你所作的一切事上，應信賴你的良知，因為這就是遵守誡命。 |
27 |
| 28凡信賴法律的，必注重誡命；凡倚賴上主的，決不會受害。 |
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