Sirach
Chapter 1

1 ¹ All wisdom ² comes from the LORD and with him it remains forever.

2 The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these?

海沙、雨点和永远的日子，谁能数清？

3 Heaven's height, earth's breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?

天之高，地之宽，渊之深，谁又能测量？

4 Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity.

5 To whom has wisdom's root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties?

智慧的根源，曾启示给谁？她的计谋，有谁认识？

6 There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne:

惟有一位明智至高全能的创造者，他是最可敬畏的，即那坐在自己宝座上的上主。

7 It is the LORD; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her.

他借着圣神，创造了智慧，注视了她，数清了她，

8 He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends.

遂把她倾注在他一切的化工上；并照自己的恩赐，倾注在一切有血肉的人身上；又将她赐给爱慕自己的人。

9 ^{3 4} Fear of the LORD is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown.

敬畏上主是人的光荣、夸耀、喜悦和欢愉的冠冕。

10 Fear of the LORD warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days.

敬畏上主，悦乐心神，赐与喜乐、愉快和长寿。

11 He who fears the LORD will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed.

12 The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, which is formed with the faithful in the womb.

敬畏上主是智慧的开始。这敬畏在母胎中，已与忠信的人一同形成。

13 With devoted men was she created from of old, and with their children her beneficence abides.

14 Fullness of wisdom is fear of the LORD; she inebriates men with her fruits.

15 Her entire house she fills with choice foods, her granaries with her harvest.

敬畏上主是智慧的圆满；她用自己的果实，使敬畏上主者沉醉。

16 Wisdom's garland is fear of the LORD, with blossoms of peace and perfect health.

敬畏上主是智慧的冠冕；她产生平安，恢复健康。

17 Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her.

智慧要赐与人知识和明达的光明，并要增加那些坚持智慧者的光荣。

18 The root of wisdom is fear of the LORD; her branches are length of days.

敬畏上主是智慧的根源，她的枝干可得久存。

19 ⁵ One cannot justify unjust anger; anger plunges a man to his downfall.

不义的忿怒，终不能视为正直；他忿怒的烈火，必要使他丧亡。

20 A patient man need stand firm but for a time, and then contentment comes back to him.

忍耐的人暂时容忍，最后必有喜乐的酬报。

21 For a while he holds back his words, then the lips of many herald his wisdom.

他暂时缄默不言，以后许多人的唇舌，却要称扬他的明智。

22 Among wisdom's treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the LORD is an abomination to the sinner.

在智慧的府库里，有明智的箴言。但是敬畏上主，是罪人所厌恶的。

23 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the LORD will bestow her upon you;

你若羡慕智慧，就应遵守诫命；上主必会把智慧赐给你。

24 For fear of the LORD is wisdom and culture; loyal humility is his delight.

因为敬畏上主，就是智慧和纪律；他所喜悦的，就是忠信和良善。

25 ⁶ Be not faithless to the fear of the LORD, nor approach it with duplicity of heart.

不可违背敬畏上主之情；亲近他，不要怀着贰心。

26 Play not the hypocrite before men; over your lips keep watch.

与人交谈，不要虚伪；要谨慎你的唇舌。

27 Exalt not yourself lest you fall and bring upon you dishonor;

不要自高，怕一旦跌倒，羞辱便来到你身上；

28 For then the LORD will reveal your secrets and publicly cast you down,

而上主把你的秘密泄漏，在集会中羞辱你；

29 Because you approached the fear of the LORD with your heart full of guile.

因为，你没有怀着敬畏之心亲近上主，反之，你的心却充满了诡诈。

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Footnotes（注解）

¹ [1-8] The Lord is the source and preserver of wisdom (Sirach 1:1); he created her from eternity, before all things else (Sirach 1:4-7); all his works reflect wisdom (Sirach 1:2, 3, 8).

² [1] Wisdom: here the author speaks of true wisdom, namely God's external revelation of himself. Throughout the book he describes in great detail just what wisdom is; sometimes it is divine; sometimes it is a synonym for God's law; sometimes it is human. But the author makes clear that even human wisdom, properly understood, comes from God.

³ [9-18] Here are described the spiritual and temporal blessings that come during the lifetime of him who fears the Lord, i.e., practices true religion.

⁴ [9] Fear of the LORD: see note on Psalm 111:10.

⁵ [19-22] The disciple of wisdom shuns unjust anger which brings downfall. By patience and self-control he preserves calm, recovers contentment, and receives public praise. The sinner, on the contrary, despises the restraints which religion imposes.

⁶ [25-29] Infidelity to religion, or the use of it for any but the single purpose of serving God, is hypocrisy and self-exaltation, deserving of public disgrace.

New American Bible Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.