Sirach 1 1 Keeping watch over riches wastes the flesh, and the care of wealth drives away rest. 为发财而不寐,使人肉身消瘦;焦虑使人失眠。 2 2 Concern for one's livelihood banishes slumber; more than a serious illness it disturbs repose. 为生活焦虑,使人梦断;极度的疲倦,驱散睡意。 3 The rich man labors to pile up wealth, and his only rest is wanton pleasure; 富人疲劳工作,是为积蓄财产,在退休时,饱享安乐; 4 The poor man toils for a meager subsistence, and if ever he rests, he finds himself in want. 穷人疲劳工作,是为生活的急需,但到退休时,仍然贫乏。 5 The lover of gold will not be free from sin, for he who pursues wealth is led astray by it. 凡贪爱金钱的,不能称为义人;凡追求利益的,必走入迷途。 6 Many have been ensnared by gold, though destruction lay before their eyes; 许多人为了金钱而失足,他们的丧亡就在眼前。 7 It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it, a snare for every fool. 金钱为拜金的人,是绊脚的木桩;迷爱黄金的人,是有祸的!一切愚人都成了它的俘虏。 8 3 Happy the rich man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain! 无瑕可指,不追求黄金,不寄望于金钱财宝的富人,是有福的! 9 Who is he, that we may praise him? he, of all his kindred, has done wonders, 他是谁?我们要称赞他,因为他在自己民族中,行了奇异的事。 10 For he has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory; He could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, 谁在这事上受过考验,而仍是齐全的人呢?愿永远的光荣归于他!他能犯法而未犯,能作恶而未作。 11 So that his possessions are secure, and the assembly recounts his praises. 他在上主那里的幸福,必然稳定;一切圣者的集会,必要赞扬他的慈善。 12 4 If you are dining with a great man, bring not a greedy gullet to his table, Nor cry out, "How much food there is here!" 13 Remember that gluttony is evil. No creature is greedier than the eye: therefore it weeps for any cause. 14 Toward what he eyes, do not put out a hand; nor reach when he does for the same dish. 转离你的眼睛,也不要同他一起向盘碟伸手。 15 Recognize that your neighbor feels as you do, and keep in mind your own dislikes: 你要以己度人,在一切事上要压制自己。 16 Behave at table like a favored guest, and be not greedy, lest you be despised. 17 Be the first to stop, as befits good manners; gorge not yourself, lest you give offense. 为了礼貌,你要首先停止,不要只贪多吃,而令人嫌恶。 18 If there are many with you at table, be not the first to reach out your hand. 若你在许多人中坐席,不要在他们以先伸手,也不要在他们以先要求酒喝。 19 Does not a little suffice for a well-bred man? When he lies down, it is without discomfort. 为有规律的人,少许酒便够了;这样,在床上既不气喘,也不感到痛苦。 20 Distress and anguish and loss of sleep, and restless tossing for the glutton! Moderate eating ensures sound slumber and a clear mind next day on rising. 饮食有节,睡眠安逸;这样的人,清晨起来,明悟自然清爽; 21 5 If perforce you have eaten too much, once you have emptied your stomach, you will have relief. 22 Listen to me, my son, and scorn me not; later you will find my advice good. In whatever you do, be moderate, and no sickness will befall you. 23 On a man generous with food, blessings are invoked, and this testimony to his goodness is lasting; 慷慨设宴款待人的,必获得众口的称赞;他大方的盛誉,是可信的。 24 He who is miserly with food is denounced in public, and this testimony to his stinginess is lasting. 悭吝设宴款待人的,必遭受全城的抱怨;他悭吝的恶名,是确实的。 25 Let not wine-drinking be the proof of your strength, for wine has been the ruin of many. 饮酒时,不要表示你是个豪饮的人,因为酒害死了许多人。 26 As the furnace probes the work of the smith, so does wine the hearts of the insolent. 火能锻炼钢铁,同样,酒也能判别骄傲人在争辩时的心情。 27 Wine is very life to man if taken in moderation. Does he really live who lacks the wine which was created for his joy? 适量的酒,彷佛是人的生命,只要你饮得适当,你必清醒舒畅。 人缺少酒,他的生活,还算什么生活? 28 Joy of heart, good cheer and merriment are wine drunk freely at the proper time. 29 Headache, bitterness and disgrace is wine drunk amid anger and strife. 30 More and more wine is a snare for the fool; it lessens his strength and multiplies his wounds. 31 Rebuke not your neighbor when wine is served, nor put him to shame while he is merry; Use no harsh words with him and distress him not in the presence of others. Footnotes(注解) 1 [1-11] Solicitude for acquiring wealth and anxiety over preserving it disturb repose and easily lead to sin and ruin (Sirach 31:1-7). Cf Matthew 6:25-34. A rich man who has not sinned or been seduced by wealth is worthy of praise (Sirach 31:8-11). 2 [2] The Hebrew adds a verse that seems out of place here: "A faithful comrade drives away reproach, and the friend who keeps secrets is as dear as life." 3 [8-10] The Church in her liturgy applies this passage to holy confessors of the Faith. 4 [31:12-32:13] A man observing etiquette at table avoids greed and selfishness (Sirach 31:12-13), is considerate of a neighbor's likes and dislikes and is generous toward him (Sirach 31:14, 15, 23, 24), observes proper manners (Sirach 31:16-18), is moderate in eating and drinking (Sirach 31:19-22, 25-30). A good host makes himself one with his guests, is solicitous for them (Sirach 32:1, 2), provides conversation and diversion (Sirach 32:3-6), is modest in speech (Sirach 32:7, 8, 10), is respectful of elders (Sirach 32:9), polite in comportment and grateful to God for his favors (Sirach 32:11-13). 5 [21] Emptied your stomach: the practice of induced vomiting, well-known among pagan Romans, and less well-known among the Jews, seems to be referred to here. |