서론
Proverbs 31 Introduction
英文原文
See the introduction to Proverbs.
1
Proverbs 31:1
这是他母亲教训他的——比较 Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 6:20。若将本章归于以色列人的手笔，我们可以想起人们向来敬重米利暗、底波拉和户勒大的智慧；若这是对一个以东人或阿拉伯人的敬重，我们则可以想到示巴女王——她对智慧的爱慕使她坐在大卫之子的脚前。
英文原文
That his mother taught him - Compare Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 6:20. If we refer the chapter to Israelite authorship, we may remember the honor paid to the wisdom of Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah; if it was the honor paid to an Edomite or an Arabian, we may think of the Queen of Sheba, whose love of Wisdom led her to sit at the feet of the son of David.
2
Proverbs 31:2
这些重复是为了强调，表达恳切之爱。
我许愿得的儿子——像撒母耳和参孙一样，是常在祷告中祈求而得的孩子，且这祷告以献身之愿加以确认。利慕伊勒这名字（字面意思是"属神的"，即献给祂的）或许就是这种奉献之愿的表达；而戒防沉溺于酒的警告（Proverbs 31:4）表明，其中含有拿细耳人或利甲族人之观念的成分。
英文原文
The repetitions are emphatic; expressive of anxious love.
Son of my vows - Like Samuel, and Samson, the child often asked for in prayer, the prayer ratified by a vow of dedication. The name Lemuel (literally "for God," consecrated to Him) may be the expression of that dedication; and the warning against indulging in wine Proverbs 31:4 shows that it had something of the Nazarite or Rechabite idea in it.
3
Proverbs 31:3
毁灭之事——后宫的诱惑在当时如同今日一样，是一切东方王国的祸根。
英文原文
To that which destroyeth - The temptations of the harem were then, as now, the curse of all Eastern kingdoms.
4
Proverbs 31:4
有人读作："君王也不宜说：'浓酒在哪里？'""浓酒"（Proverbs 20:1）是由大麦、蜂蜜或枣子蒸馏而成的。
英文原文
Some read: "nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?" The "strong drink" Proverbs 20:1 was distilled from barley, or honey, or dates.
6
Proverbs 31:6
酒力对人身心真正的作用，在于作为恢复和疗治之剂。比较旁注引证。同样的思想也体现在犹太人的习俗中：把一杯酒递给哀悼的人，并且（如受难历史中所记的）也递给受刑的死囚。
英文原文
The true purpose of the power of wine over man's mind and body, as a restorative and remedial agent. Compare the margin reference. The same thought showed itself in the Jewish practice of giving a cup of wine to mourners, and (as in the history of the crucifixion) to criminals at their execution.
8
Proverbs 31:8
与东方君主的两种易犯之罪相对的，是他们的一大本分：帮助那些别无援助者。
被定为灭亡的人——按字面直译是"丧失之子女"，其含义或如正文所示，指"注定要被夺去性命或财物的人"，或指"丧失亲人的儿女或孤儿"。
英文原文
In contrast with the two besetting sins of Eastern monarchs stands their one great duty, to give help to those who had no other helper.
Such as are appointed to destruction - literally, "children of bereavement," with the sense, either, as in the text, of those "destined to be bereaved of life or goods," or of "bereaved or fatherless children."
10
Proverbs 31:10
参看箴言序言。
红宝石——更妥的译法是“珍珠”。参看 Proverbs 3:15 注释。
英文原文
See the introduction to Proverbs.
Rubies - Better, pearls. See the Proverbs 3:15 note.
11
Proverbs 31:11
必不缺少利益——更好的译法是“不缺少收益”，即不缺少正当的收益。
英文原文
No need of spoil - Better, no lack of gain, lack of honest gain.
13
Proverbs 31:13
甘心用手作工——或作“用乐意的手作工”。这里对以色列主妇勤劳习惯的强调，或许属于这类习惯正在消逝的时代，例如犹大王朝的时期。
英文原文
Worketh willingly with her hands - Or, worketh with willing hands. The stress laid upon the industrial habits of Israelite matrons may perhaps belong to a time when, as under the monarchy of Judah, those habits were passing away.
14
Proverbs 31:14
这个比喻指向以色列人在大卫和所罗门时代与腓尼基人交往后随之扩大的商贸；请比较箴言 31:24。
英文原文
The comparison points to the enlarged commerce of the Israelites consequent on their contact with the Phoenicians under David and Solomon; compare Proverbs 31:24.
15
Proverbs 31:15
将当做的工分派婢女——即每日分派各人工作的同时，也分给当日的饮食。请比较箴言 30:8；出埃及记 5:14。
英文原文
A portion to her maidens - The daily task assigned to each at the same time as the daily food. Compare Proverbs 30:8; Exodus 5:14.
16
Proverbs 31:16
这节经文显出女性活动的广阔领域，与今日东方妇女沦落的卑微境地形成鲜明的对照。
英文原文
The verse points to a large sphere of feminine activity, strikingly in contrast with the degradation to which woman in the East has now fallen.
20
Proverbs 31:20
她的勤劳并不自私，反结出慷慨施舍的善果。
英文原文
The industry is not selfish, but bears the fruit of an open-handed charity.
21
Proverbs 31:21
朱红衣服——大概指某种众所周知的衣着，其显眼之处或在于颜色，或如一些人所以为的，在于双层织物的质地与保暖。
英文原文
Scarlet - Probably some well-known articles of dress, at once conspicuous for their color, or, as some think, for their double texture and warmth.
22
Proverbs 31:22
绸缎——更宜译作“细麻布”，即埃及出产的细麻（byssus）。
英文原文
Silk - Better, fine linen, the byssus of Egypt.
23
Proverbs 31:23
妻子既勤勉持家,丈夫便得以自由地在坐席议事的长老中占据自己的位置。
英文原文
The industry of the wife leaves the husband free to take his place among the elders that sit in councils.
24
Proverbs 31:24
"细麻布衣裳"——与 Proverbs 31:22 注释中的词不同;这里指成衣(Isaiah 3:23)。
商家——按字面是"迦南人",即腓尼基商人。
英文原文
Fine linen - Not the same word as in Proverbs 31:22 note; it describes a made-up garment Isaiah 3:23.
Merchant - literally, "Canaanite," i. e., the Phoenician merchant.
25
Proverbs 31:25
"想到日后的景况就喜笑"——更佳的译法是:"她为将来的时日欢喜";意即她展望未来,不是怀着焦虑,而是怀着笃定的喜乐。
英文原文
Shall rejoice in time to come - Better, rejoiceth over the time to come; i. e., looks forward to the future, not with anxious care, but with confident gladness.
26
Proverbs 31:26
"仁慈的法则"——贤德之妻唇间所出的言语,对听的人如同赐下引导与训诲的律法;但这律法不是以严厉的面貌宣告的,而是作为"怜悯使公义得以调和"的法则,并且显明爱——律法的成全——正是这法则涌流的源头。
英文原文
Law of kindness - The words which come from the lips of the true wife are as a law giving guidance and instruction to those that hear them; but the law is not proclaimed in its sterner aspects, but as one in which "mercy tempers justice," and love, the fulfilling of the law, is seen to be the source from which it springs.
29
Proverbs 31:29
这些话被视为丈夫（Proverbs 31:28）对这位理想妻子所说的称赞之语。
“才德的女子很多”——这个希伯来词原本（如同拉丁文 virtus 一样）主要具有“力量”的观念，但在不同语境中含义有别。在这里（如在 Proverbs 12:4; Ruth 3:11），这力量是指坚定不移地持守良善的品格。在其他经文中（如 Genesis 34:29; Psalm 49:10），该词则具有“财富”之意，七十士译本与武加大译本在此处便是如此理解；另请参看页边注的译法。
英文原文
The words of praise which the husband Proverbs 31:28 is supposed to have addressed to the ideal wife.
Virtuously - The Hebrew word has primarily (like "virtus") the idea of "strength," but is used with various shades of meaning. Here (as in Proverbs 12:4; Ruth 3:11) the strength is that of character stedfast in goodness. In other passages (e. g., Genesis 34:29; Psalm 49:10) it has the sense of "riches," and is so taken here by the Septuagint and Vulgate, see also the marginal rendering.
30
Proverbs 31:30
本卷最后的教训与开篇的教训相同：敬畏耶和华，是一切女性卓越的条件，正如它也是一切男性卓越的条件。
英文原文
The last lesson of the book is the same as the first. The fear of the Lord is the condition of all womanly, as well as of all manly, excellence.
参看箴言序言。