| 德训篇 | Sirach |
|---|
| 1凡是朋友都说；我结交了朋友；但有的朋友，却是有名无实的朋友。 | 1Every friend says, "I am your friend, too," but some friends are only friends in name. |
| 2如果同伴或朋友，变成了仇人，岂不是一件悲伤至死的事﹖ | 2Is it not a deadly grief when a companion or friend turns into an enemy? |
| 3噢！这邪恶的偏向！你是从那里闯进来的，你想用凶恶和欺诈笼罩大地么﹖ | 3O evil intention! From where have you sprung, to cover the earth with deceit?
One kind of comrade takes advantage of his friend's good fortune; in time of trouble he turns against him. |
| 4有的同伴，在朋友幸福时，就与他同乐；在患难时，却变成了仇人。 | 4Another kind shares his friend's suffering, for the sake of a meal; when it comes to a fight, he thinks only of saving himself. |
| 5有的同伴，为了口腹之欲，与朋友分忧，共同执剑反抗敌人。 | 5Do not neglect a friend or forget him once you are wealthy. |
| 6你心里总不要忘记你真正的朋友，分派胜利品时，更不可忽略他。 | 6All advisers give advice but some seek only their own gain. |
| 7不要与敌视你的人商议；对忌恨你的人，要隐瞒你的主意。 | 7Distrust the person who offers advice, lest he take advantage of you; first of all, ask yourself what he lacks, and what his own interest suggests to him. |
| 8凡是参谋，都夸张自己的建议；但有的是为自己打算。 | 8Perhaps he says to you, "You are on the right road," while he keeps his distance, to see what happens to you. |
| 9对建议者，你要留神：先要知道他需要什么──因为他心中也为自己着想── | 9Do not seek advice from one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your plans from those who envy you. |
| 10也许愿将命运寄托在你身上， | 10Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about war, or a merchant about exchange rates, or a buyer about selling, or a jealous man about gratitude, or a selfish person about generosity, or an idler about any kind of work, or a casual worker about finishing a job, or a lazy servant about an important task. Do not rely on these people for any advice. |
| 11而对你说:「你走的路不错」，但他却站在对面，看你会有什么结果。 | 11But go to a trustworthy man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul reflects your own and who will suffer with you, if you fail. |
| 12和不虔敬的人，怎能讨论圣德﹖同不公道的人，如何能讨论正义﹖不要同妇女谈论她的情敌，不要同胆怯的人谈论作战的事，不要同商人谈论交易的事，不要同买主商议出卖的事，不要与负心人谈论感恩的事； | 12In the end, keep to your own heart's advice, since no one deserves to be trusted more than your heart. |
| 13不要和残忍的人提到慈善的事，不要同放荡的人谈及廉节的事，不要和怠惰的人商议任何劳力的事； | 13For a man's soul often gives better advice than seven watchmen placed on a height. |
| 14不要和年长的佣工讨论年底的事，不要和懒惰的奴仆讨论繁重的工作：对这些人，在这一切事上，你不用作任何商议； | 14Besides all this, implore the Almighty to guide your steps in the truth. |
| 15只该同虔敬的人，常有来往，你知道他是遵守诫命的， | 15A plan must be at the beginning of all work; reflection comes before every action. |
| 16他与你心心相印；你若不幸，在黑暗中跌倒了，他必与你分忧。 | 16When you decide, four ways are open before you: |
| 17你要保持良心提醒你的事，因为没有比你的良心更忠实的。 | 17good, evil, life and death. Your own decision makes the choice. |
| 18善人的良心有时预告实情，远远胜于七个坐在高处观望的哨兵。 | 18A clever man may teach many but do no good for himself. |
| 19在这一切事上，你该祈求至高者，引领你走真理的道路。 | 19A man may be wise, but if his words are rejected he will end up starving, |
| 20各种工作的开端，在于立志；但在进行各种事业以前，应商量。 | 20not having won the favor of the Lord and being destitute of all wisdom. |
| 21人心是各种智谋的根子，由此根子生出四条枝桠；善、恶、生、死；但全然统治这一切的，却是舌头。有的人精于教导许多人，但为他自己，却一无是处。 | 21Another man is wise for himself. He himself takes advantage of his wisdom. |
| 22有的人精于教导许多人，而使自己也感到幸福， | 22The truly wise man teaches his people, and they benefit by his knowledge. |
| 23有的人诡辩，出言可恶，他必将缺乏各种食物。 | 23The wise man is full of blessings; those who see him call him happy. |
| 24上主没有给他口才的恩惠，因为他缺乏了各种智德。 | 24Man's days are numbered but Israel's days are countless. |
| 25有的人只为自己有智慧，他智慧的果实，只归他一人。 | 25The wise man will win the confidence of his people; his name will live forever. |
| 26贤明的人教导自己的民众；他智慧的成果，是恒久的。 | 26My son, test yourself during the course of your life; see what is harmful and avoid it. |
| 27贤明的人满渥祝福，凡看见他的人，都称他有福。 | 27For everything does not suit everybody, nor is everyone satisfied with all things. |
| 28人的生命是有数的几天，但以色列的岁月，却是无数的。 | 28Do not be insatiable in every pleasure, or be excessive in what you eat; |
| 29贤明的人在自己民族中，享有光荣和信任，他的声誉千古流芳。 | 29for overeating leads to sickness and gluttony brings indigestion. |
| 30我儿，在你的生活上，你应锻炼你的心灵，看见什么为它有害，就不要放任它。 | 30Many have died because of gluttony; he who takes care prolongs his life. |
| 31因为不是任何事，为所有的人都有益，也不是任何事，所有的人都喜欢。 | 31 |
| 32在一切欢宴上，要有节制，对于一切食物，不要贪吃； | 32 |
| 33因为吃多了，容易积累成病，饮食过度，容易引起绞痛。 | 33 |
| 34由于饮食过度，许多人丧了命，有节制的人，反而延长寿命。 | 34 |
