Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

1 酒能使人褻慢，濃酒使人喧嚷； 凡因酒錯誤的，就無智慧。

2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.

2 王的威嚇如同獅子吼叫； 惹動他怒的，是自害己命。

3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.

3 遠離紛爭是人的尊榮； 愚妄人都愛爭鬧。

4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

4 懶惰人因冬寒不肯耕種， 到收割的時候，他必討飯而無所得。

5 The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

5 人心懷藏謀略，好像深水， 惟明哲人才能汲引出來。

6 Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?

6 人多述說自己的仁慈， 但忠信人誰能遇着呢？

7 The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.

7 行為純正的義人， 他的子孫是有福的！

8 A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

8 王坐在審判的位上， 以眼目驅散諸惡。

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?

9 誰能說，我潔淨了我的心， 我脫淨了我的罪？

10 Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.

10 兩樣的法碼，兩樣的升斗， 都為耶和華所憎惡。

11 Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.

11 孩童的動作是清潔，是正直， 都顯明他的本性。

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.

12 能聽的耳，能看的眼， 都是耶和華所造的。

13 Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

13 不要貪睡，免致貧窮； 眼要睜開，你就吃飽。

14 “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.

14 買物的說：不好，不好； 及至買去，他便自誇。

15 There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

15 有金子和許多珍珠 ， 惟有知識的嘴乃為貴重的珍寶。

16 Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

16 誰為生人作保，就拿誰的衣服； 誰為外人作保，誰就要承當。

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.

17 以虛謊而得的食物，人覺甘甜； 但後來，他的口必充滿塵沙。

18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.

18 計謀都憑籌算立定； 打仗要憑智謀。

19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.

19 往來傳舌的，洩漏密事； 大張嘴的，不可與他結交。

20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.

20 咒罵父母的，他的燈必滅， 變為漆黑的黑暗。

21 An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.

21 起初速得的產業， 終久卻不為福。

22 Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

22 你不要說，我要以惡報惡； 要等候耶和華，他必拯救你。

23 Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

23 兩樣的法碼為耶和華所憎惡； 詭詐的天平也為不善。

24 A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?

24 人的腳步為耶和華所定； 人豈能明白自己的路呢？

25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.

25 人冒失說，這是聖物， 許願之後才查問，就是自陷網羅。

26 A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

26 智慧的王簸散惡人， 用碌碡滾軋他們。

27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.

27 人的靈是耶和華的燈， 鑒察人的心腹。

28 Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.

28 王因仁慈和誠實得以保全他的國位， 也因仁慈立穩。

29 The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.

29 強壯乃少年人的榮耀； 白髮為老年人的尊榮。

30 Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.

30 鞭傷除淨人的罪惡； 責打能入人的心腹。