| 德训篇 | Sirach |
|---|
| 1懒惰人仿佛一块污秽的石头，对他的丑行，人人发出唏嘘声。 | 1The idler is like a dirty stone, his disgrace is laughed at. |
| 2懒惰人好比一堆牛粪，摸著的人，都将它从手中抖掉。 | 2The idler is like a heap of dung, all who touch it shake it off their hands. |
| 3一个不受管教的儿子，是父亲的耻辱；生了这样的女儿，是父亲的损失。 | 3Badly brought up sons are the shame of their father, and daughters, a humiliation. |
| 4明智的女儿，是丈夫的宝藏；无耻的女儿，是父亲的忧伤。 | 4A sensible daughter is a treasure to her husband, but the disgraceful one is a burden to her father. |
| 5放荡的妇女，羞辱自己的父亲和丈夫，并不次于不虔敬的人：父亲和丈夫都要轻视她。 | 5A shameless daughter brings disgrace on her father as well as her husband; both hate her. |
| 6不合时宜的言论，有如悲哀中的音乐；教鞭和训诲，无论什么时候，常是明智的。 | 6The untimely word is like music at a funeral but beating and correction guided by wisdom are never out of place. |
| 7教训愚人，无异黏合陶器碎片； | 7Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken jar, it is easier to awaken a man from deep sleep. |
| 8向不愿听的人讲话，就像唤醒熟睡的人。 | 8Reasoning with a fool is like reasoning with a drowsy man; in the end, he will ask you, "What is it all about?" |
| 9给愚人讲话，等于向睡觉的人讲话；话说完了，他还问什么事？ | 9Weep for the dead man since the light has deserted him, weep for the fool because understanding has deserted him.
Cry less for the dead man; he has found his rest but the fool's life is worse than death. |
| 10要为亡者哀哭，因为他已失去了光明；更要为愚人哀哭，因为他已失去了明悟。 | 10Mourning the dead lasts seven days, but it lasts a lifetime for the fool and godless man. |
| 11哀悼亡者要有节，因为他已得到了安息； | 11Do not waste words on the fool or go with the stupid man; beware of him lest he bring you trouble and his contact leave you contaminated. Stay away from him if you want rest and do not want to be worn out by his requests. |
| 12然而邪恶愚人不幸的生命，比死亡更为可悲。 | 12What is heavier than lead? What is its name but "Fool"? |
| 13哀悼死者，为期不过七天；悲哭愚人与不虔敬的人，却是一生。 | 13Sand, salt and a load of iron are easier to bear than a fool. |
| 14同愚人不要长谈，与无知的人要交往。 | 14The wooden joint in a building is not dislodged by an earthquake; a determined heart, after careful reflection, will not be moved when crises come. |
| 15要谨慎防备他，就不致招惹烦恼；即便他喷唾，你也不至于受玷污。 | 15A decision based on serious reflection stands like plaster on a firm wall. |
| 16他要远离他，你就得享安宁，不至于因他的愚蠢而感到厌烦。 | 16Stakes set on a height do not resist the wind; the fool's heart, frightened by his own imaginings, cannot withstand fear. |
| 17什么东西比铅还重？比铅还重的东西的名字，不是「愚人」么？ | 17Striking the eye brings tears; if you strike the heart, lucidity will come forth. |
| 18沙盐铁堆虽重，但比忍耐一个无智糊涂而不虔敬的人，更容易担负。 | 18Whoever throws stones at birds scares them off; reproach a friend and you will kill the friendship. |
| 19用栋梁支持的建筑物，在地动时不致倒塌；同样，深思熟虑而镇定的心，危险时也不会畏惧。 | 19If you have drawn your sword against a friend, do not despair, it can be put back; |
| 20以智慧的思想为基础的心，有如光滑的墙壁上涂的灰泥。 | 20if you have spoken harshly to a friend, do not fear, reconciliation is possible; but in the event of insult, contempt, betrayal of a confidence or treacherous blow, any friend would desert you. |
| 21高处的篱笆，经不起风吹； | 21Win your neighbor's confidence when he is poor so that you may enjoy his goods with him when he grows rich; be loyal in his hour of trouble and you will win, in the end, a share in his inheritance. |
| 22同样，那因愚昧的思想而恐惧的心，也禁不住任何惊吓。 | 22Smoke and fumes precede the fire; so, too, insults herald the blows. |
| 23就如愚人在思虑时心虽游移不定，却无时感到恐惧，就像常守天主法律的人一样。 | 23I will not be ashamed of protecting a friend nor will I avoid him; |
| 24剌激人眼，会引出眼泪；剌激人心，会显出真情。 | 24if evil comes to me from him, all who hear of it will beware of him. |
| 25抛石打鸟，会使鸟惊飞；责骂友人会断绝友情。 | 25Who will put a guard on my mouth and effectively lock up my lips to prevent me from sinning and my tongue from hastening my ruin? |
| 26若你已向友人拔出利剑，不要失望，因为还可恢复旧交； | 26 |
| 27若你已对友人开口攻击，不要害怕，因为还能和好如初；惟有辱骂、责斥、骄傲、泄漏秘密、暗中伤害，能使朋友疏远。 | 27 |
| 28你的朋友穷困的时候，你要对他忠诚；到他富裕时，你便可以与他共享福利。 | 28 |
| 29他遭难的时候，你要待他始终如一；这样，你就可以分享他的产业。 | 29 |
| 30火生起以前，炉中冒气冒烟；同样，流血以前、也有咒骂、凌辱和威吓。 | 30 |
| 31我不害羞保护一个朋友，也不躲藏而不与他见面，虽然为了他我要遭遇什么不幸，我也忍受。 | 31 |
| 32虽然如此，若他还不知恩，凡听见这事的人，必对他加以防范。 | 32 |
| 33谁能在我的口上派一个守卫，在我的唇上贴上一张稳妥的封条，免得我因口过而跌倒，因我的唇舌而自取灭亡？ | 33 |
