给年轻人的忠告
我儿啊，不要忘记我的教诲， 你的心要谨守我的命令，My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2因为它们☛“它们”指“教诲”和“命令”。必加给你长久的日子， 生命的年数与平安。For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3不可使慈爱和诚信离开你， 要系在你颈项上，刻在你心版上。Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4这样，你必在神和世人眼前 蒙恩惠，有美好的见识。So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5你要专心仰赖耶和华， 不可倚靠自己的聪明，Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6在你一切所行的路上都要认定他， 他必使你的道路平直。In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7不要自以为有智慧； 要敬畏耶和华，远离恶事。Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8这便医治你的肉体☛“肉体”：原文是“肚脐”。， 滋润你的百骨。It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9你要以财物 和一切初熟的土产尊崇耶和华，Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10这样，你的仓库必充满有余， 你的酒池有新酒盈溢。So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11我儿啊，不可轻看耶和华的管教， 也不可厌烦他的责备，My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12因为耶和华所爱的，他必责备， 正如父亲责备所喜爱的儿子。For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13得智慧，得聪明的， 这人有福了。Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14因为智慧的获利胜过银子， 所得的盈余强如金子，For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15比宝石☛“宝石”或译“珍珠”；本卷书下同。更宝贵， 你一切所喜爱的，都不足与其比较。She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16她的右手有长寿， 左手有富贵。Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17她的道是安乐， 她的路全是平安。Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18她给持守她的人作生命树， 谨守她的必定蒙福。She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19耶和华以智慧奠立地基， 以聪明铺设诸天，The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20以知识使深渊裂开， 使天空滴下甘露。By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21我儿啊，要谨守健全的知识和智谋， 不可使它们偏离你的眼目。My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22这样，它们必使你的生命有活力， 又作你颈项的美饰。So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23那时，你就坦然行路， 不致跌倒。Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24你躺下，必不惧怕； 你躺卧，睡得香甜。When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25忽然来的惊恐，你不要害怕； 恶人遭毁灭，也不要恐惧，Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26因为耶和华是你的倚靠， 他必保护你的脚不陷入罗网。For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27你的手若有行善的力量， 不可推辞，要施与那应得的人。Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28你若手头方便， 不可对邻舍说： “去吧，明天再来，我必给你。”Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29你的邻舍既在你附近安居， 不可设计害他。Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30人若未曾加害你， 不可无故与他相争。Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31不可嫉妒残暴的人， 不可选择他的任何道路。Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32因为走偏方向的人是耶和华所憎恶的； 正直人为他所亲密。For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33耶和华诅咒恶人的家； 义人的居所他却赐福。The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34他讥诮那爱讥诮的人； 但赐恩给谦卑的人。Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35智慧人必承受尊荣； 愚昧人高升却是羞辱。The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.