【德训篇】第十八章 << 上一章下一章 >>

18:1 永生的天主，一举而创造了万物，惟有上主堪称是正义的，永远是常胜的君王。
The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.

18:2 无人能详述他的化工；
Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?

18:3 谁能穷究他的伟大﹖
Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?

18:4 谁能述尽他威严的权力﹖谁能说完他的仁慈﹖
One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.

18:5 上主的奇妙化工，人不能增损，也无法穷究。
When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.

18:6 当人以为完毕时，他却正在开始；当人以为停止时，却仍感到迷惑。
What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?

18:7 人是什么，他有什么用途﹖对于天主，他有什么好处，有什么害处﹖
The sum of a man’s days is great if it reaches a hundred years:

18:8 人的年龄，至多一百岁，就像海水的一滴，沙中的一粒，在永远的日子里，连一千年，也不过如此。
Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity.

18:9 为此，上主忍耐他们，在他们身上倾注自己的仁慈。
That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.

18:10 他明见而且深知，他们的结局是凶恶的，知道他们的灭亡是悲惨的。
He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.

18:11 为此，天主对他们大加宽恕，给他们指出正义的途径。
Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD’s mercy reaches all flesh,

18:12 人的慈爱只朝向自己的近人，而上主的怜爱，却临于一切有血肉的人。
Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;

18:13 怀有仁慈的上主，劝告、惩戒、教训世人，领他们回来，正如牧人领回自己的羊群。
Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.

18:14 领受他的教导和渴慕他判断的人，他必加以怜悯。
My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.

18:15 我儿，你救济时，不要加以责斥；你施惠时，不要说使人伤心的话。
Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.

18:16 露水不是可以消除炎热吗﹖同样，一句好话比恩惠更快人心。
Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.

18:17 一句好话，不是胜过恩惠吗﹖但是，只有仁爱的人，才能作到这两点。
Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.

18:18 愚人只会无礼责斥人，悭吝人的恩惠，使人目光消沉。
Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.

18:19 在审判以前，你要具备正义感；在讲话以前，应先学习。
Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.

18:20 在未病以前，应善自珍重。在审判以前，应审察自己，这样，当天主来视察你的时候，你必能寻获宽恕。
Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.

18:21 在未病之先，你要谦卑自下；在有罪的时候，要表示忏悔。
Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.

18:22 不要让什么阻碍你在指定的时期还愿，也不要等到临死才行义，因为天主的赏报永远存在。
Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.

18:23 在许愿以前，你应善自准备，免得你像是一个试探上主的人。
Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.

18:24 你要思念天主在末日的震怒，和他报复时，转面不顾。
Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.

18:25 丰收时，要记得饥荒时；富裕时，要想到穷困时。
Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.

18:26 从早到晚，时辰更替，在上主面前，一切都要迅速过去。
Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.

18:27 明智人凡事谨慎，在易犯罪的日子，必然小心而不犯罪。
A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.

18:28 凡是智慧的人，都认识智慧；找着她的人，智慧必加以称许。
Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;

18:29 明白箴言的，就是智慧人，他们懂得真理与正义，并且流露出卓绝的格言。
Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.

18:30 不要顺从你的欲情，要抑制你的欲望。
Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.

18:31 假使你满足你的情欲，它必使你成为你敌人的笑柄。
If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.

18:32 不要喜爱奢侈的生活，也不要加入这样的集会。在集会中，不拘人多少，你也不要找寻快乐，因为在那里，人总不免沾染罪恶。
Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;

18:33 几时你囊中一无所有，不要借贷设宴，而使你陷于穷困；否则，便是苦害你的生命。
Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.

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