1 利慕伊勒王的言語、是他母親教訓他的真言。
The sayings of King Lemuel--an oracle his mother taught him: |
2 我的兒阿、我腹中生的兒阿、我許願得的兒阿、我當怎樣教訓你呢.
"O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, |
3 不要將你的精力給婦女、也不要有敗壞君王的行為。
do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
4 利慕伊勒阿、君王喝酒、君王喝酒不相宜.王子說、濃酒在那裡也不相宜.
"It is not for kings, O Lemuel--not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, |
5 恐怕喝了就忘記律例、顛倒一切困苦人的是非.
lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
6 可以把濃酒給將亡的人喝.把清酒給苦心的人喝.
Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; |
7 讓他喝了、就忘記他的貧窮、不再記念他的苦楚。
let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. |
8 你當為啞吧〔或作不能自辨的〕開口.為一切孤獨的伸冤。
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
9 你當開口按公義判斷、為困苦和窮乏的辨屈。
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." |
10 才德的婦人誰能得著呢.他的價值遠勝過珍珠.
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
11 他丈夫心裡倚靠他、必不缺少利益.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. |
12 他一生使丈夫有益無損.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
13 他尋找羊羢和麻、甘心用手作工.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
14 他好像商船從遠方運糧來.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
15 未到黎明他就起來、把食物分給家中的人.將當作的工分派婢女。
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. |
16 他想得田地、就買來.用手所得之利、栽種葡萄園.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
17 他以能力束腰、使膀臂有力.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. |
18 他覺得所經營的有利他的燈終夜不滅。
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. |
19 他手拿撚線竿.手把紡線車.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
20 他張手賙濟困苦人.伸手幫補窮乏人。
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. |
21 他不因下雪為家裡的人擔心、因為全家都穿著朱紅衣服.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
22 他為自己製作繡花毯子.他的衣服、是細麻和紫色布作的。
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. |
23 他丈夫在城門口與本地的長老同坐、為眾人所認識。
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. |
24 他作細麻布衣裳出賣.又將腰帶賣與商家。
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
25 能力和威儀、是他的衣服.他想到日後的景況就喜笑。
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. |
26 他開口就發智慧.他舌上有仁慈的法則.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
27 他觀察家務、並不喫閒飯。
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
28 他的兒女起來稱他有福.他的丈夫也稱讚他、
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: |
29 說、才德的女子很多、惟獨你超過一切。
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." |
30 豔麗是虛假的.美容是虛浮的.惟敬畏耶和華的婦女、必得稱讚。
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. |
31 願他享受操作所得的.願他的工作、在城門口榮耀他。
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |