| 德训篇 | Sirach |
|---|
| 1自从人出离母胎那一天，直到埋葬，回到众生之母的怀中那一天，天主为每人指定了一项重大的职务；在亚当的子孙身上，放下了一付重担： | 1Painful is the lot of all men, a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam from the day they leave their mother's womb to the day they return to the mother of us all. |
| 2各自焦虑，心中恐惧，担心将来和末日。 | 2What is on their mind, what they fear in their heart, is the day of their death. |
| 3上自坐在光荣宝座上的，下至躺在灰土中的； | 3From the king, glorious on his throne, robed in purple and wearing a crown, |
| 4上自穿紫衣戴冠冕的，下至穿粗麻布的，都有忿怒、嫉妒、烦恼、不安、怕死、愤懑和争论的事； | 4to the lowliest person sitting in dust and ashes and covered with sackcloth, there is anger, envy, trouble and unrest, fear of death, rivalry and quarrels. |
| 5就是在床上安息的时候，夜梦也来扰乱他的意念。 | 5And at night when we lie down we have fresh worries: |
| 6他很少休息，几乎没有，连在睡觉时，也像白天值班的哨兵。 | 6scarcely are we at rest and asleep when we are troubled by dreams as vivid as if it were day and we were fleeing from a battle. |
| 7他因可怕的异像，而心中震惊，像一个从战场上逃回来的人；若在得救的那一刻醒来了，他又惊奇自己无谓的怕情。 | 7When it is time to wake up, we feel surprised to find that there is nothing to fear. |
| 8凡有肉躯的，从人到禽兽，都是如此；但为罪人却加重七倍。 | 8This is the fate of every living creature, man and beast, but for sinners it is seven times worse, |
| 9此外还有死亡、流血、斗争、刀剑、压迫、饥馑、困苦和鞭笞： | 9in death, bloodshed, strife, sword, misfortune, famine, affliction and calamity. |
| 10这一切都是为罪犯而设的，而且为了他们的缘故，曾发生过洪水之患。 | 10All these were created for the wicked, and the flood as well was sent on their account. |
| 11凡是从土来的，都要归于土；凡是从水来的，都要归于海。 | 11Everything that comes from the earth goes back to the earth, and what comes from the waters returns to the sea. |
| 12一切贿赂与不义之财，都要丧失；而忠诚却永存不灭。 | 12All bribery, all injustice will disappear but good faith will last forever. |
| 13不义之人的财富，有如溪水，必要干涸，又如雨中大雷，一鸣即逝。 | 13The unjust riches will vanish like a stream that dries up; they will crash like a clap of thunder during a downpour. |
| 14为富不仁的人，正当兴高彩烈时，忽然灭亡，因为为恶人并没有其他命运。 | 14A generous man has reason to rejoice, whereas sinners go to their ruin. |
| 15不虔敬者的后裔，枝叶不昌盛；不洁者的根子，只生在硬石上。 | 15The children of the ungodly will not be blessed with large families; they are like plants taking root on sheer rock, |
| 16生在水旁及河岸上的芦苇，必在其他一切青草以前被人拔除。 | 16like reeds in water and along the river bank, withering sooner than other plants. |
| 17仁爱有如蒙受祝福的花园，慈善永远常存。 | 17Kindness is like a garden of blessings and charity endures forever. |
| 18自给自足的人和艰苦工作的人，生活是甜蜜的，然而比这两等人更幸福的，还是找到宝贝的人。 | 18Life is pleasant both for an independent person and a self-reliant worker, but still better off is the one who finds a treasure. |
| 19儿女及建设城市的事业，使人久享盛名；然而比这两件事更有价值的，还是纯洁无瑕的妇女。 | 19The name of a man who has children or who has established a town will live on, but to have found wisdom is a greater good.
Owning cattle and plantations brings fame, but a perfect wife is a richer blessing. |
| 20美酒与音乐能悦乐人心，然而二者都不如爱好智慧。 | 20Wine and music gladden the heart, but better still is the love of wisdom. |
| 21箫笛和琴瑟发出幽雅的声调，然而诚实的唇舌，更好过它们。 | 21The flute and harp make fine music, but even more appreciated is a pleasant voice. |
| 22优雅美丽，固然悦目，然而决比不上嫩绿的禾苗。 | 22Gracefulness and beauty delight the eye, but not as much as the fresh growth of fields. |
| 23朋友和伴侣固然能随时相会，然而他们远不如常与丈夫相偕的妇女。 | 23It is always good for friends and companions to meet, better still for husband and wife. |
| 24兄弟们患难相助，然而还不如救人的仁爱。 | 24Brothers and protectors are useful in hard times, but it will be of greater help to have been a giver of alms. |
| 25金银使人脚步稳定，然而还不如一个好主意。 | 25Gold and silver make for security but good advice is better. |
| 26财产和势力，能使人心安定，然而还不如敬畏上主。 | 26Wealth and strength give confidence, but good counsel is more esteemed than either.
You cannot suffer loss when you fear the Lord, with it you have all the support you need. |
| 27有了敬畏上主之心，就一无所缺，也不需要什么援助。 | 27The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessings; it clothes a person better than any glory. |
| 28敬畏上主，好比一座蒙受祝福的花园，使人蒙受一切光荣。 | 28My son, do not live the life of a beggar; it would be better to die than to beg. |
| 29我儿，在世上不要以行乞为生；与其行乞，还不如死去。 | 29When a man is always eyeing another's table, it cannot be said that he is really living, for he is defiling himself with another's food; an intelligent and educated man will avoid this. |
| 30凡对别人的饭桌有所期待的人，他的生活，不能算是生活，因为他是用人家的饭，来污辱自己的灵魂； | 30That for which a shameless man begs may seem sweet to his mouth but his inner being is burning. |
| 31但是有修养和有知识的人，决不这样作。 | 31 |
| 32在廉耻之人的口里，乞食也许是甘甜的；然而在他的肚子里，却有如火烧。 | 32 |
