箴言的價值

這是大衛的兒子以色列王所羅門的箴言。

為使人認識智慧和教誨,
    領悟真知灼見;
為使人接受勸誡,
    為人處事仁義、公平、正直;
使愚昧人明智,
    使青年有知識和明辨力;
使智者聽了長學問,
    明哲聽了得指引;
使人領悟箴言和比喻,
    明白智者的話和謎語。

知識始於敬畏耶和華,

    愚人輕視智慧和教誨。
孩子啊,
    你要聽從父親的教誨,
    不可背棄母親的訓言。
因為這要作你頭上的華冠,
    頸上的項鏈。
10 孩子啊,惡人若引誘你,
    千萬不要聽從。
11 他們若說:「跟我們來吧,
    我們去埋伏殺人,
    暗害無辜者取樂;
12 我們要像陰間一樣生吞他們,
    整個吞沒他們,
    使他們如墜入墳墓的人;
13 我們必得到各樣寶物,
    把戰利品裝滿我們的房屋。
14 跟我們一起幹吧,
    大家有福同享!」
15 孩子啊,
    不要走他們的道,
    切莫行他們的路。
16 因為他們奔向罪惡,
    急速地去殺人流血。
17 在飛鳥眼前設網羅,徒勞無功。
18 他們埋伏,卻自流己血;
    他們伏擊,卻自害己命。
19 這就是貪愛不義之財者的結局,
    不義之財終要奪去他們的性命。

智慧的勸誡

20 智慧在大街上高喊,
    在廣場上揚聲,
21 在熱鬧的市集宣告,
    在城門口演說:
22 「你們愚昧人喜愛愚昧,
    嘲諷者以嘲弄為樂,
    無知者厭惡知識,
    要到什麼時候呢?
23 你們若因我的責備而回轉,
    我就向你們顯明我的旨意[a]
    叫你們明白我的話語。
24 我呼喚你們,
    你們卻充耳不聞;
    我向你們招手,
    你們卻視若無睹。
25 你們漠視我的勸誡,
    不接受我的責備。
26 因此,
    你們遭遇災難時,
    我必發笑;
    驚恐臨到你們時,
    我必嗤笑——
27 那時,恐懼如風暴襲擊你們,
    災難如旋風臨到你們,
    憂愁和苦難吞沒你們。
28 你們呼求我,
    我也不回答;
    你們懇切地尋找我,
    卻找不到。
29 因為你們厭惡知識,
    不願意敬畏耶和華,
30 不接受我的勸誡,
    又藐視我的責備。
31 所以,你們必自食其果,
    因自己的惡謀而吃盡苦頭。
32 愚昧人背離正道,
    自招滅亡;
    愚頑人逍遙自在,
    毀掉自己。
33 然而,那聽從我的必安然居住,
    得享安寧,
    不怕災禍。」

智慧的益處

孩子啊,
    你若接受我的教誨,
    珍愛我的誡命,
側耳聆聽智慧,
    傾心渴慕悟性;
你若呼求洞見,
    竭力追求悟性,
尋它如尋銀子,
    找它如找寶藏,
你就會懂得敬畏耶和華,
    認識上帝。
因為耶和華賜人智慧,
    知識和悟性出自祂的口。
祂使正直人充滿智慧,
    是行為純全者的盾牌。
祂看守正義之路,
    護衛虔誠人的道。
這樣,你就明白何為仁義、
    公平和正直,
    懂得一切美善之道。
10 因為智慧必進入你心,
    知識必令你的靈歡快。
11 明辨力必護佑你,
    悟性必看顧你。
12 智慧必救你遠離惡道,
    脫離言語荒謬的人。
13 他們捨棄正道,走上黑路,
14 以行惡為樂,喜愛惡人的邪僻;
15 他們的道路歪邪,行徑扭曲。

16 智慧要救你脫離淫婦,
    脫離花言巧語的妓女。
17 她撇棄了年輕時的丈夫,
    忘了在上帝面前立的約。
18 她的家通向死亡,
    她的路直達陰間。
19 到她那裡的人都有去無回,
    找不到生命之道。
20 所以你要行善人的路,
    守義人的道。
21 因為在地上,
    正直人必安居,
    純全無過的人必長存,
22 惡人必遭滅絕,
    奸徒必被剷除。

信靠耶和華

孩子啊,不要忘記我的訓言,
    要把我的誡命存在心裡,
因為這必使你延年益壽,
    幸福平安。
不要讓慈愛和信實離開你,
    要把他們繫在你的頸項上,
    刻在你的心坎上。
這樣,你必蒙上帝和世人的喜悅,
    享有美譽。

你要全心信靠耶和華,
    不可倚靠自己的悟性。
凡事都要尋求祂,
    祂必指引你走正路。
不要自以為有智慧,
    要敬畏耶和華,遠離惡事。
這樣可醫治你的身體,
    滋潤你的筋骨。
你要用自己的財富和一切初熟的物產來尊崇耶和華,
10 祂必使你五穀滿倉,
    榨酒池溢出新釀。
11 孩子啊,不可輕視耶和華的管教,
    也不可厭煩祂的責備。
12 因為耶和華責備祂所愛的人,
    就像父親責備他所疼愛的孩子。
13 找到智慧、得到悟性的人有福了,
14 因為智慧比銀子更有價值,
    比金子更有益處,
15 比珠寶更珍貴;
    你所喜愛的一切都難以相比。
16 智慧的右手有長壽,
    左手有富貴和尊榮。
17 她的路上有福樂,
    她的道上有平安。
18 對持守智慧的人來說,
    智慧是生命樹,
    緊握智慧的人必蒙祝福。
19 耶和華以智慧奠立大地,
    以悟性鋪設諸天;
20 祂的知識使深淵裂開,
    使天上降下甘霖。

21 孩子啊,你要守護智慧和明辨力,
    別讓她們離開你的視線。
22 她們必給你帶來生命,
    作你頸項上華美的裝飾。
23 如此,你必步履穩健,不致失足;
24 你必安然躺臥,睡得香甜。
25 不要怕突來的災禍,
    不要怕惡人遭毀滅,
26 因為耶和華是你的靠山,
    祂使你的腳不陷入網羅。

27 倘若有力量行善,
    就當幫助有需要的人,不要推託。
28 倘若可以幫忙,
    就不可對有求於你的鄰人說:
    「回去吧,明天再來,我必給你!」
29 鄰舍在你附近安分居住,
    不可謀害他。
30 別人若沒有害你,
    不要無故與他相爭。
31 不要羡慕殘暴之徒,
    也不可步其後塵,
32 因為耶和華憎惡邪僻之徒,
    喜愛正直的人。
33 耶和華咒詛惡人的家,
    賜福義人的家。
34 耶和華譏笑好譏誚的人,
    恩待謙卑的人。
35 智者得尊榮,
    愚人受羞辱。

父親的教誨

孩子們啊,
    你們要聽從父親的教誨,
    留心學習,以便領悟,
因為我給你們的訓誨是美好的,
    不可背棄我的教導。
我年幼時在父親身邊,
    是母親唯一的寵兒。
父親教導我說:
    「要牢記我的話,
    遵守我的誡命,就必存活。
你要尋求智慧和悟性,
    不要忘記或違背我的吩咐。
不可離棄智慧,智慧必護佑你;
    你要熱愛智慧,智慧必看顧你。
智慧至上,要尋求智慧,
    要不惜一切,求得悟性。
高舉智慧,她必使你受尊崇;
    擁抱智慧,她必使你得尊榮。
她必為你戴上華冠,
    加上榮冕。」

10 孩子啊,你要聽從我的教導,
    就必延年益壽。
11 我已經指示你走智慧之道,
    引導你行正確的路。
12 你行走,必不受妨礙;
    你奔跑,絕不會跌倒。
13 你要持守教誨,不要鬆懈;
    要守護好,因為那是你的生命。
14 不要涉足惡人的道,
    不要行走壞人的路;
15 要避開,不可踏足,
    要繞道而行。
16 因為他們不作惡就無法入睡,
    不絆倒人就無法安眠;
17 他們吃的是邪惡餅,
    喝的是殘暴酒。
18 義人的道路好像黎明的曙光,
    越照越亮,直到大放光明。
19 惡人的道路一片幽暗,
    他們不知被何物絆倒。

20 孩子啊,你要聆聽我的吩咐,
    側耳聽我的訓言;
21 不要讓它們離開你的視線,
    要牢記在心。
22 因為得到它們就得到生命,
    全身也必康健。
23 要一絲不苟地守護你的心,
    因為生命之泉從心中湧出。
24 不講欺詐之言,
    不說荒謬的話。
25 眼睛要正視前方,
    雙目要向前直看。
26 要鋪平腳下的路,
    使所行之道穩妥。
27 不可偏右偏左,
    要遠離惡事。

Footnotes

  1. 1·23 我就向你們顯明我的旨意」希伯來文是「我就將我的靈澆灌你們」。

Purpose and Theme

The proverbs(A) of Solomon(B) son of David, king of Israel:(C)

for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](D)
    knowledge and discretion(E) to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,(F)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,(G)
    the sayings and riddles(H) of the wise.[b](I)

The fear of the Lord(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[c] despise wisdom(K) and instruction.(L)

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(M) to your father’s(N) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(O)
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.(P)

10 My son, if sinful men entice(Q) you,
    do not give in(R) to them.(S)
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
    let’s lie in wait(T) for innocent blood,
    let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow(U) them alive, like the grave,
    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;(V)
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
    and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
    we will all share the loot(W)”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot(X) on their paths;(Y)
16 for their feet rush into evil,(Z)
    they are swift to shed blood.(AA)
17 How useless to spread a net
    where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait(AB) for their own blood;
    they ambush only themselves!(AC)
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
    it takes away the life of those who get it.(AD)

Wisdom’s Rebuke

20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,(AE)
    she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out,
    at the city gate she makes her speech:

22 “How long will you who are simple(AF) love your simple ways?
    How long will mockers delight in mockery
    and fools hate(AG) knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
    Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
    I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse(AH) to listen when I call(AI)
    and no one pays attention(AJ) when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
    and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh(AK) when disaster(AL) strikes you;
    I will mock(AM) when calamity overtakes you(AN)
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
    when disaster(AO) sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
    when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;(AP)
    they will look for me but will not find me,(AQ)
29 since they hated knowledge
    and did not choose to fear the Lord.(AR)
30 Since they would not accept my advice
    and spurned my rebuke,(AS)
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
    and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.(AT)
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
    and the complacency of fools will destroy them;(AU)
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety(AV)
    and be at ease, without fear of harm.”(AW)

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son,(AX) if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding(AY)
indeed, if you call out for insight(AZ)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,(BA)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(BB)
For the Lord gives wisdom;(BC)
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(BD)
He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield(BE) to those whose walk is blameless,(BF)
for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.(BG)

Then you will understand(BH) what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,(BI)
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.(BJ)

12 Wisdom will save(BK) you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
    to walk in dark ways,(BL)
14 who delight in doing wrong
    and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,(BM)
15 whose paths are crooked(BN)
    and who are devious in their ways.(BO)

16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,(BP)
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
    and ignored the covenant she made before God.[e](BQ)
18 Surely her house leads down to death
    and her paths to the spirits of the dead.(BR)
19 None who go to her return
    or attain the paths of life.(BS)

20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
    and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,(BT)
    and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked(BU) will be cut off from the land,(BV)
    and the unfaithful will be torn from it.(BW)

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son,(BX) do not forget my teaching,(BY)
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years(BZ)
    and bring you peace and prosperity.(CA)

Let love and faithfulness(CB) never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.(CC)
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.(CD)

Trust in the Lord(CE) with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths(CF) straight.[f](CG)

Do not be wise in your own eyes;(CH)
    fear the Lord(CI) and shun evil.(CJ)
This will bring health to your body(CK)
    and nourishment to your bones.(CL)

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits(CM) of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled(CN) to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.(CO)

11 My son,(CP) do not despise the Lord’s discipline,(CQ)
    and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,(CR)
    as a father the son he delights in.[g](CS)

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(CT)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(CU)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(CV)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(CW)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(CX)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(CY)
18 She is a tree of life(CZ) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(DA)

19 By wisdom(DB) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,(DC)
    by understanding he set the heavens(DD) in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son,(DE) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,(DF)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,(DG)
    an ornament to grace your neck.(DH)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,(DI)
    and your foot will not stumble.(DJ)
24 When you lie down,(DK) you will not be afraid;(DL)
    when you lie down, your sleep(DM) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side(DN)
    and will keep your foot(DO) from being snared.(DP)

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.(DQ)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.(DR)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy(DS) the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse(DT)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.(DU)
33 The Lord’s curse(DV) is on the house of the wicked,(DW)
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.(DX)
34 He mocks(DY) proud mockers(DZ)
    but shows favor to the humble(EA) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Listen, my sons,(EB) to a father’s instruction;(EC)
    pay attention and gain understanding.(ED)
I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold(EE) of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.(EF)
Get wisdom,(EG) get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;(EH)
    love her, and she will watch over you.(EI)
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[h] wisdom.
    Though it cost all(EJ) you have,[i] get understanding.(EK)
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.(EL)
She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.(EM)

10 Listen, my son,(EN) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.(EO)
11 I instruct(EP) you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.(EQ)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.(ER)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.(ES)
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.(ET)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(EU)
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.(EV)

18 The path of the righteous(EW) is like the morning sun,(EX)
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(EY)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(EZ)
    they do not know what makes them stumble.(FA)

20 My son,(FB) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.(FC)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(FD)
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.(FE)
23 Above all else, guard(FF) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.(FG)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(FH) look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[j] paths for your feet(FI)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(FJ)
    keep your foot from evil.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
  2. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  3. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.
  4. Proverbs 1:21 Septuagint; Hebrew / at noisy street corners
  5. Proverbs 2:17 Or covenant of her God
  6. Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths
  7. Proverbs 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child
  8. Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
  9. Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
  10. Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level