Sirach 1 1 The sluggard is like a stone in the mud; everyone hisses at his disgrace. 懒惰人彷佛一块污秽的石头,对他的丑行,人人发出唏嘘声。 2 The sluggard is like a lump of dung; whoever touches him wipes his hands. 懒惰人好比一堆牛粪,摸着的人,都将它从手中抖掉。 3 An unruly child is a disgrace to its father; if it be a daughter she brings him to poverty. 一个不受管教的儿子,是父亲的耻辱;生了这样的女儿,是父亲的损失。 4 A thoughtful daughter becomes a treasure to her husband, a shameless one is her father's grief. 明智的女儿,是丈夫的宝藏;无耻的女儿,是父亲的忧伤。 5 A hussy shames her father and her husband; by both she is despised. 放荡的妇女,羞辱自己的父亲和丈夫,并不次于不虔敬的人;父亲和丈夫都要轻视她。 6 2 Like a song in time of mourning is inopportune talk, but lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom. 不合时宜的言论,有如悲哀中的音乐;教鞭和训诲,无论什么时候,常是明智的。 7 Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken pot, or like disturbing a man in the depths of sleep; 8 He talks with a slumberer who talks with a fool, for when it is over, he will say, "What was that?" 给愚人讲话,等于向睡觉的人讲话;话说完了,他还问:什么事? 9 Weep over the dead man, for his light has gone out; weep over the fool, for sense has left him. 要为亡者哀哭,因为他已失去了光明;更要为愚人哀哭,因为他已失去了明悟。 10 Weep but a little over the dead man, for he is at rest; but worse than death is the life of a fool. 11 Seven days of mourning for the dead, but for the wicked fool a whole lifetime. 哀悼死者,为期不过七天;悲哭愚人与不虔敬的人,却是一生。 12 Speak but seldom with the stupid man, be not the companion of a brute; 同愚人不要长谈,与无知的人不要交往。 13 Beware of him lest you have trouble and be spattered when he shakes himself; Turn away from him and you will find rest and not be wearied by his lack of sense. 14 What is heavier than lead, and what is its name but "Fool"? 什么东西比铅还重?比铅还重的东西的名字,不是“愚人”么? 15 Sand and salt and an iron mass are easier to bear than a stupid man. 沙盐、铁堆虽重,但比忍耐一个无智胡涂而不虔敬的人,更容易担负。 16 3 Masonry bonded with wooden beams is not loosened by an earthquake; Neither is a resolve constructed with careful deliberation shaken in a moment of fear. 用栋梁支持的建筑物,在地动时不致倒塌;同样,深思熟虑而镇定的心,危险时也不会畏惧。 17 A resolve that is backed by prudent understanding is like the polished surface of a smooth wall. 18 Small stones lying on an open height will not remain when the wind blows; Neither can a timid resolve based on foolish plans withstand fear of any kind. 19 4 One who jabs the eye brings tears: he who pierces the heart bares its feelings. 就如愚人在思虑时心虽游移不定,却无时感到恐惧,就像常守天主法律的人一样。 20 He who throws stones at birds drives them away, and he who insults a friend breaks up the friendship. 21 Should you draw a sword against a friend, despair not, it can be undone. 若你已向友人拔出利剑,不要失望,因为还可恢复旧交; 22 Should you speak sharply to a friend, fear not, you can be reconciled. But a contemptuous insult, a confidence broken, or a treacherous attack will drive away any friend. 若你已对友人开口攻击,不要害怕,因为还能和好如初;惟有辱骂、责斥、骄傲、泄露秘密、暗中伤害,能使朋友疏远。 23 Make fast friends with a man while he is poor; thus will you enjoy his prosperity with him. In time of trouble remain true to him, so as to share in his inheritance when it comes. 你的朋友穷困的时候,你要对他忠诚;到他富裕时,你便可以与他共享福利。他遭难的时候,你要待他始终如一;这样,你就可以分享他的产业。 24 Before flames burst forth an oven smokes; so does abuse come before bloodshed. 火生起以前,炉中冒气冒烟;同样,流血以前、也有咒骂、凌辱和威吓。 25 From a friend in need of support no one need hide in shame; 我不害羞保护一个朋友,也不躲藏而不与他见面,虽然为了他我要遭遇什么不幸,我也忍受。 26 But from him who brings harm to his friend all will stand aloof who hear of it. 虽然如此,若他还不知恩,凡听见这事的人,必对他加以防范。 27 5 Who will set a guard over my mouth, and upon my lips an effective seal, That I may not fail through them, that my tongue may not destroy me? 谁能在我的口上派一个守卫,在我的唇上贴上一张稳妥的封条,免得我因口过而跌倒,因我的唇舌而自取灭亡? Footnotes(注解) 1 [1-15] To Sirach, a lazy person and an unruly child are a cause of shame and disgrace; everyone wishes to be rid of them (Sirach 22:1-5). A wicked fool is as senseless as a man asleep or dead, but the grief he causes others lasts a lifetime (Sirach 22:7-11). He is like a brute, troublesome and intolerable (Sirach 22:12-15). 2 [6] Like a song . . . is . . . talk: some understand talk in the sense of a rebuke unheeded by the unruly as a joyful song is out of place among mourners. Corporal punishment, however, is always effective. 3 [16-18] A prudent mind firmly resolved is undisturbed by violent and conflicting thoughts, whereas a foolish person is tossed about by the winds of fear, like small stones whipped about by high winds. 4 [19-26] As disputes and violence weaken friendship, and disloyalty and abuse of confidence destroy it utterly (Sirach 22:19-22, 24, 26), so kindness to a poor man in time of poverty and adversity builds up friendship and merits a share in his prosperity and inheritance (Sirach 22:23, 25). 5 [22:27-23:6] The sage implores the divine assistance to preserve him through stern discipline from sins of the tongue (Sirach 22:27; 23:1);, ignorance of mind and weakness of will (Sirach 22:2, 3); and inclinations of the senses and the flesh, lest he fall into the hands of his enemies, or become a prey of shameful desires (Sirach 23:3-6). |