Proverbs 4

1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

1 孩子们啊， 你们要听从父亲的教诲， 留心学习，以便领悟，

2 For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.

2 因为我给你们的训诲是美好的， 不可背弃我的教导。

3 When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,

3 我年幼时在父亲身边， 是母亲唯一的宠儿。

4 he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.

4 父亲教导我说： “你心里要牢记我的话， 遵守我的诫命，就必存活。

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.

5 你要求取智慧和悟性， 不要忘记或违背我的吩咐。

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.

6 不可离弃智慧，智慧必护佑你； 你要热爱智慧，智慧必看顾你。

7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

7 智慧至上，要求取智慧， 要不惜一切获取悟性。

8 Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.

8 高举智慧，她必使你受尊崇； 拥抱智慧，她必使你得尊荣。

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”

9 她必为你戴上华冠， 加上荣冕。”

10 Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.

10 孩子啊，你要听从我的教导， 就必延年益寿。

11 I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.

11 我已经指示你走智慧之道， 引导你行正确的路。

12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.

12 你行走，脚下不受阻碍； 你奔跑，也不会跌倒。

13 Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.

13 你要持守教诲，不要松懈； 要守护好，因为那是你的生命。

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

14 不要涉足恶人的道， 不要行走坏人的路；

15 Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.

15 要避开，不可踏足， 要绕道前行。

16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

16 因为他们不作恶就无法入睡， 不绊倒人就无法安眠；

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

17 他们吃的是邪恶饼， 喝的是残暴酒。

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

18 义人的道路好像黎明的曙光， 越照越亮，直到正午。

19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

19 恶人的道路一片幽暗， 他们不知被何物绊倒。

20 My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

20 孩子啊，你要聆听我的吩咐， 侧耳听我的训言；

21 Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.

21 不要让它们离开你的视线， 要牢记在心。

22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

22 因为得到它们就得到生命， 全身也必康健。

23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

23 要一丝不苟地守护你的心， 因为生命之泉从心中涌出。

24 Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.

24 不讲欺诈之言， 不说荒谬的话。

25 Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.

25 眼睛要正视前方， 双目要向前直看。

26 Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.

26 要铺平脚下的路， 使所行之道稳妥。

27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.

27 不可偏右偏左， 要远离恶事。