But I myself, Paul, entreat you through the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who (as you say) in person am base among you, but while absent am bold toward you,
然而我保罗，就是那如你们所说，在你们中间，见面的时候是卑鄙的，不在的时候，向你们却是放胆的，亲自借着基督的温柔与和蔼劝你们，

I beseech you that when present I would not have to be bold in the confidence with which I count myself, to dare do to some who count us as ones who are walking according to flesh.
我甚至求你们不要叫我同在的时候，因自信而放胆，我凭这自信认为，我该勇敢对付那些认为我们是照着肉体行事的人。

For though we walk in flesh, we do not war according to flesh;
因为我们虽然在肉体中行事，却不照着肉体争战。

For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful before God for the overthrowing of strongholds,
我们争战的兵器，本不是属肉体的，乃是在神面前有能力，可以攻倒坚固的营垒，

As we overthrow reasonings and every high thing rising up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ.
将理论和各样阻挡人认识神而立起的高寨，都攻倒了，又将各样的思想掳来，使它顺从基督，

And we are ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
并且我们已经预备好了，等你们完全顺从的时候，要责罚一切的不顺从。

You look at things according to their appearance. If someone has confidence in himself to be of Christ, let him take account of this again concerning himself, that even as he is of Christ, so also are we.
你们是按外表看事情。若有人自信是属基督的，关于他自己，他要再想想，他是怎样属基督，我们也怎样是。

For even if I should boast somewhat more abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord has given for building you up and not for overthrowing you, I will not be put to shame.
主赐给我们的权柄，是为建造，并不是为拆毁你们，我即使为这权柄稍微过多的夸口，也不至于惭愧。

I say this so as not to seem as if I am terrifying you through my letters,
我说这话，为免我像是写信威吓你们。

Because while his letters, someone says, are weighty and strong, his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible.
因为有人说，他的信又沉重，又强硬，他亲身的同在却是软弱，言语又是可鄙。

Let such a one take account of this, that such as we are in word by letters when absent, such also we are in deed when present.
这等人当想，我们不在的时候，信上的言语怎样，同在的时候，行事也必怎样。

For we do not dare to class or compare ourselves with any of those who commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
因为我们不敢将自己，和那些自荐的人同列相比，他们拿自己度量自己，拿自己比较自己，乃是不通达的。

But we will not boast beyond our measure but according to the measure of the rule which the God of measure has apportioned to us, to reach even as far as you.
我们却不要过了度量夸口，只要照度量的神所分给我们尺度的度量夸口，这度量甚至远达你们。

For we are not extending ourselves beyond our bounds, as if we did not reach you, for we were the first to come even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ.
我们并非过度伸展自己，好像达不到你们，因为在基督的福音上，我们是最先来的，甚至远及你们。

We are not boasting beyond our measure in others' labors, but have the hope, as your faith is increasing, to be magnified in you according to our rule unto abundance,
我们不凭别人的劳碌过度夸口，但盼望随着你们信心的增长，照着我们的尺度，因着你们得以丰盛的扩大，

So that we may announce the gospel unto those parts beyond you, not so that we may boast in another man's rule in things already prepared.
将福音传到你们以外的地方，并不是在别人的尺度之内，凭现成的事夸口。

But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord;
但夸口的当在主里夸口，

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
因为蒙称许的，不是自己推荐的，乃是主所推荐的。

These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah copied.
以下也是所罗门的箴言，是犹大王希西家的人所誊录的：

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, / But the glory of kings is to search a matter out.
将事隐藏乃神的荣耀，将事察清乃君王的荣耀。

As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, / So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
如天之高，如地之厚，君王之心也测不透。

Take away the dross from the silver, / And a vessel comes out for the smith;
除去银子的渣滓，银匠就能作出器皿。

Take away the wicked man from before the king, / And his throne will be established in righteousness.
除去王面前的恶人，王的国位就因公义坚立。

Do not claim honor for yourself in the presence of the king, / And do not stand in the place of great men;
不要在王面前妄自尊大，不要站在大人物的位上。

For it is better that it is said to you, Come up here, / Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the noble, / Whom your eyes have seen.
宁可有人说，请你上这里来，强如在你觐见的尊贵人面前被降为卑。

Do not go out hastily to strive; / Otherwise what will you do in the end, / When your neighbor puts you to shame?
不要冒失出去与人争竞，免得你的邻舍羞辱你，结果你要怎样行呢？

Argue your case with your neighbor himself, / And do not reveal the secret of another;
你与邻舍争讼，只可与他一人理论，不可泄漏别人的秘密；

Lest he who hears it revile you, / And the evil report of you does not go away.
恐怕听见的人骂你，你的恶名就难以脱离。

A word fitly spoken / Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
一句话说得合宜，就如金苹果在银器里。

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold / Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
智慧人的责备，在听从的人耳中，好像金耳环和精金的妆饰。

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest / Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, / For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
忠信的使者叫差他的人心里舒畅，就如在收割时冰雪的凉气。

Like clouds and wind without rain / Is one who boasts of his gifts falsely.
空夸赠送礼物的，好像无雨的风云。

By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, / And a soft tongue can break the bone.
恒久忍耐可以劝动官长，柔和的舌能折断骨头。

Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, / Lest you become filled up with it and vomit it.
你得了蜜么？吃够就好了，免得你过饱就呕吐出来。

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, / Otherwise he will become weary of you and hate you.
你的脚要少进邻舍的家，免得他厌烦你，就恨恶你。

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor / Is like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow.
作假见证陷害邻舍的，就如大槌、利刀、快箭。

Confidence in a treacherous man in time of trouble / Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
患难时倚靠奸诈的人，就像依靠坏牙或脱臼的脚。

He who sings songs to a troubled heart / Is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, / Or like vinegar on soda.
对伤心的人唱歌，就如冷天脱衣服，又如碱上倒醋。

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; / And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
你的仇敌若饿了，就给他饭吃；若渴了，就给他水喝；

For you will heap coals of fire upon his head, / And Jehovah will reward you.
因为你这样行，就是把炭火堆在他的头上；耶和华也必赏报你。

The north wind brings forth rain; / And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
北风生雨，谗谤人的舌头也生怒容。

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop / Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
宁可住在房顶的一角，也不与争吵的妇人同住一屋。

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, / So is good news from a far country.
有好消息从远方来，就如拿凉水给口渴的人喝。

Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring / Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked man.
义人在恶人面前退缩，好像搅浑之源，弄浊之泉。

It is not good to eat much honey, / Nor is it glory for men to search out their own glory.
吃蜜过多是不好的，探究自己的荣耀并不是荣耀。

Like a city that is broken down, without walls, / Is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
人不约束自己的灵，就如毁坏的城邑没有墙垣。

Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, / So honor is not fitting for a fool.
夏天落雪，收割时下雨，都不相宜，照样，愚昧人得尊荣也不相宜。

Like the sparrow in its fluttering, like the swallow in its flying, / So a curse without cause does not alight.
麻雀鼓翅，燕子翻飞，照样，无故的咒诅也不会临到。

A whip for the horse! A bridle for the donkey! / And a rod for the back of fools!
鞭子是为打马，辔头是为勒驴；刑杖是为打愚昧人的背。

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, / Lest you also be like him.
不要照愚昧人的愚妄话回答他，免得你也与他一样。

Answer a fool according to his folly, / Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
要照愚昧人的愚妄话回答他，免得他自以为有智慧。

He who sends a message by the hand of a fool / Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
借愚昧人的手传信的，是砍断自己的脚，自受损害。

Like the legs of the lame which hang down, / So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
瘸子的脚空悬无用，箴言在愚昧人的口中也是如此。

Like one who binds a stone in a sling, / So is he who gives honor to a fool.
将尊荣给愚昧人的，好像人把石子包在甩石的机弦里。

Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, / So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
箴言在愚昧人的口中，就像荆棘刺入醉汉的手。

Like an archer who wounds everyone, / So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
雇愚昧人的，或雇过路人的，就像射伤众人的弓箭手。

Like a dog that returns to its vomit / Is a fool who repeats his folly.
愚昧人重复愚妄事，就像狗转过来吃自己所吐的。

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? / There is more hope for a fool than for him.
你见过自以为有智慧的人么？愚昧人比他更有指望。

The sluggard says, There is a roaring lion on the way; / A lion is in the streets!
懒惰人说，路上有猛狮，街上有壮狮！

As the door turns upon its hinges, / So does the sluggard upon his bed.
门在枢纽上转动，懒惰人在床上也是如此。

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; / He gets weary by bringing it to his mouth again.
懒惰人把手放在盘子里，就是向口撤回，也以为劳乏。

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes / Than seven men who can answer discreetly.
懒惰人看自己比七个善于应对的人更有智慧。

He who passes by and meddles with strife that does not belong to him, / Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
过路的人干涉与自己无关的纷争，就像人揪狗的耳朵。

Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
人欺哄邻舍，却说，我岂不是戏耍么？他就像疯狂的人抛掷火把、利箭与死亡。

So is the man who deceives his neighbor, / And says, Was I not joking?
（18、19节合并。）

For lack of wood the fire goes out, / And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
缺了柴，火就熄灭；没有传闲话的人，争论便止息。

As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, / So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
好纷争的人煽动争竞，就如余烬加炭，火上加柴一样。

The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, / And they go down into the innermost parts of one's being.
传闲话之人的言语如同美食，进入人的深处。

Burning lips and a wicked heart / Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
火热的嘴，奸恶的心，好像包了银渣的瓦器。

He who hates disguises it with his lips, / But he lays up deceit within him;
怨恨人的，用嘴掩饰，心里却存着诡诈，

When he speaks graciously, do not believe him; / For there are seven abominations in his heart;
他的言语虽然动听，你不可信他，因为他心中有七样可憎恶的。

Though his hatred covers itself with guile, / His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
他虽用诡诈遮掩自己的怨恨，他的邪恶必在会中显露。

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, / And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中；辊石头的，石头必反辊在他身上。

A lying tongue hates those it crushes, / And a flattering mouth works ruin.
虚谎的舌恨自己所压伤的人，谄媚的口造成毁坏的事。