德训篇 | Sirach |
1你若施惠,应知道你是向谁施恩;这样,你才能因你的恩惠,大得人心。 | 1If you do good, know to whom you are doing it and you will receive thanks for your kindness. |
2对虔敬的人要施恩,这样,你必会获得大酬报;若你得不到他的酬报,必会蒙受至高者的酬报。 | 2Do good to the godly man and you will receive a reward, if not from the man himself, at least from the Most High. |
3习惯于行恶,及不肯施舍的人,对自己并无好处,因为至高者憎恨罪人,而怜悯悔改的人。 | 3Blessings are not for those who persist in evildoing, nor for those who refuse to show compassion. |
4你要施恩给虔敬的人,不要帮助罪人;存留不虔敬者和罪人到报复日子的天主,必要报复他们。 | 4Give to the godly man, do not help the sinner; |
5你要施恩与善人,不必收留不虔敬的人。 | 5do good to the humble, do not give to the ungodly; deny him bread, do not give it to him lest he eventually dominate you. He will repay you with a double evil for all the good that you have done for him. |
6你要施恩与谦虚的人,不要施舍不虔敬的人,要拒绝给他食物,怕他因此制胜你; | 6For the Most High himself detests sinners and carries out his vengeance on the ungodly. |
7因为,在你对他所施的一切恩惠中,你要得到双重的祸患;原来至高者憎恨罪人,要向不虔敬的人复仇。 | 7Give to the good man but do not help the sinner. |
8幸福时,不能辨别朋友;不幸时,仇人不能隐藏。 | 8A friend does not become an enemy in the time of prosperity, nor does an enemy remain hidden in the time of adversity. |
9人一幸福,他的仇人就闷闷不乐;一遇灾难,朋友也要离去。 | 9When a man is doing well, his enemies are sad; when he is suffering misfortune, even his friends hasten to abandon him. |
10总不要信赖你的仇敌,因为他的恶毒有如生锈的铜铁。 | 10Never trust an enemy, for his malice is like bronze covered in rust. |
11即使他显示谦和,屈躬而行,你仍要留神,提防他;你对他要像一个擦亮镜子的人;你将会看见锈的下面有什么东西。 | 11Even if he should act as a humble man and walk with head bowed down, watch yourself and be on your guard against him. Behave towards him as a man who polishes a bronze mirror. Know that the rust will not remain until the end. |
12不要让他立在你的身旁,免得他推倒你,而占据你的位置;不要任他坐在你的右边,免得他图占你的座位,你终究会明白我的话,对我的话,你会感到心疚。 | 12Do not place him near you lest he overthrow you and take your place. Do not make him sit on your right hand lest he covet your seat. Let it not be that in the end you understand my words and regret not having listened to my advice. |
13谁同情被蛇咬伤的术士?谁同情亲近野兽的人?与恶人同行,而陷入他邪恶的人,亦无人怜惜。 | 13Who will have pity on the snake-charmer bitten by a snake or on those who go near wild beasts? |
14他一时与你相处,但你一落魄,他决不扶持你。 | 14It is the same for the man who joins company with a sinner and finds himself involved in his wrongdoing. |
15仇敌的口舌出言甜蜜,但心里却打算将你推入陷阱; | 15The sinner will remain quietly with you for an hour but when you are distracted he will throw away his mask. |
16他眼中流泪,但时机一到,就是流你的血,还嫌不够。 | 16The enemy is all sweetness in his speech, but in his heart he is planning to throw you in the ditch. The enemy has tears in his eyes but, if he finds an opportunity, he cannot have enough of your blood. |
17若你遇着灾难,首先到你面前的,就是他; | 17If misfortune comes to you, you will find him there before you; pretending to help you, he will be scheming to get rid of you. |
18他眼中流泪,仿佛是来扶助你,其实,他是来绊你的脚; | 18He will wag his head in mockery and clap his hands, he will whisper unceasingly and will show his true face. |
19那时,他就要摇头鼓掌,出言不逊,现出他原来的面目。 | 19 |