The Book of Wisdom 1 Hear, therefore, kings, and understand; learn, you magistrates of the earth's expanse! 2 Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude and lord it over throngs of peoples! 3 Because authority was given you by the LORD and sovereignty by the Most High, who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels! 4 1 Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly, and did not keep the law, nor walk according to the will of God, 因为,你们是他王国的公仆,如果你们判案不公,不守法律,不按天主的旨意行事, 5 Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you, because judgment is stern for the exalted- 天主必要可怕而迅速地临于你们,对身居高位的,执行严厉的审判。 6 For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test. 因为,卑微的人,还堪怜可恕;有权势的,必受严厉的拷问。 7 For the Lord of all shows no partiality, nor does he fear greatness, Because he himself made the great as well as the small, and he provides for all alike; 万有的主宰决不顾情面,也不畏惧权势,因为无论大小,都是他造的;他对一切,都一律加以照顾; 8 but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends. 9 To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin. 所以,各位君侯!我的话是对你们说的,要你们学习智慧,不再失职。 10 2 For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy, and those learned in them will have ready a response. 谁圣善地持守圣善的法律,便是圣善的人;谁学习这些法律,必会寻得辩护。 11 Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed. 所以你们应思慕我的话,珍爱我的话;如此,你们必将深受教益。 12 Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. 智慧是光明的,从不暗淡;爱慕她的,很容易看见她;寻觅她的,就可找到她; 13 She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire; 一有追求她的志愿,她必预先显示给他们。 14 he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. 早起寻求她的,不必费劳,因为必发现她坐在门前。 15 For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence, and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; 16 Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude. 因为,智慧到处寻找配得上自己的人,她在路上亲切地把自己显示出来,很关心地迎接他们。 17 For the first step toward discipline is a very earnest desire for her; then, care for discipline is love of her; 智慧的真起点,是切愿受教; 18 love means the keeping of her laws; To observe her laws is the basis for incorruptibility; 切愿受教就是爱;爱即在于遵守法律;遵守法律,便是不朽的保证; 19 and incorruptibility makes one close to God; 不朽使人亲近天主; 20 thus the desire for Wisdom leads up to a kingdom. 21 If, then, you find pleasure in throne and scepter, you princes of the peoples, honor Wisdom, that you may reign as kings forever. 万民的君候!你们若喜爱王位与王权,就应尊重智慧,好能永居王位。 22 Now what wisdom is, and how she came to be I shall relate; and I shall hide no secrets from you, But from the very beginning I shall search out and bring to light knowledge of her, nor shall I diverge from the truth. 【万民的统治者,你们应爱慕智慧的光明!】 我要陈述,什么是智慧,她是怎样有的;我决不向你们隐瞒她的妙理,反而探源索本,将对她的认识公开陈述,决不歪屈真理。 23 Neither shall I admit consuming jealousy to my company, because that can have no fellowship with Wisdom. 24 A great number of wise men is the safety of the world, and a prudent king, the stability of his people; 25 so take instruction from my words, to your profit. 所以,你们应接受我的训言;如此,你们必受教益。 Footnotes(注解) 1 [4] Law: that of Moses; cf Wisdom 6:10; 2:12. 2 [10] Response: a suitable plea before the great Judge. Cf Proverb 22:21; Job 31:14; Hebrews 2:1; Sirach 8:9. |