一句法国谚语说：“将你所受的伤害写在沙子上，把别人给你的好处写在石头上。”它贴切地表达今天我们需要学习的功课。这句话和我们今天所读经文也有异曲同工之处，就是“愚妄人的恼怒，立时显露；通达人能忍辱藏羞。”
在耶稣很多的教导中，我们看得出祂很懂得旧约圣经中的智慧之言。例如，诗篇 37:11说：“谦卑（温柔）人必承受地土，”在登山宝训中，耶稣更详细阐释诗篇的话，说：“温柔的人有福了，因为他们必承受地土”（马太福音 5:5）。此外，耶稣吩咐我们要把另一边脸转过来由人打，祂说这句著名的话时，心中必定想到箴言 12:16所说的那种羞辱，通达人宁忍辱藏羞，也不会恼怒。
人生充满恼人的事，愚妄人的恼怒立时显露，他动不动便大发雷霆。通达人却能捺住那股怒火、不理会别人的挑衅。能够沉着气，在教养儿女、与人同工、与不同种族的人共处、婚姻、国际关系上……总而言之，在一切事上，都是重要的。
忍耐和通达——这样的智慧，在我们与人相处时是十分重要的。
今天，你有没有求神以祂的智慧带领你呢？（参看雅各书 1:5）
主啊，求祢保守我们不会不经思考便作出反应，求祢赐我们安静信靠祢的心灵，又帮助我们不轻易发怒。奉耶稣的名祈求，阿们。
箴言 12:13-23
13恶人嘴中的过错是自己的网罗； 但义人必脱离患难。
14人因口所结的果子，必饱得美福； 人手所做的，必为自己的报应。
15愚妄人所行的，在自己眼中看为正直； 惟智慧人肯听人的劝教。
16愚妄人的恼怒立时显露； 通达人能忍辱藏羞。
17说出真话的，显明公义； 作假见证的，显出诡诈。
18说话浮躁的，如刀刺人； 智慧人的舌头却为医人的良药。
19口吐真言，永远坚立； 舌说谎话，只存片时。
20图谋恶事的，心存诡诈； 劝人和睦的，便得喜乐。
21义人不遭灾害；恶人满受祸患。
22说谎言的嘴为耶和华所憎恶； 行事诚实的，为他所喜悦。
23通达人隐藏知识； 愚昧人的心彰显愚昧。
"Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult." - Proverbs 12:16
There's a French proverb that beautifully expresses what we need to learn today: "Write injuries in sand, kindnesses in marble." This is similar to the advice in our verse today from Proverbs: "Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult."
Many of Jesus' teachings show that he knew the wisdom of the Old Testament. For example, Psalm 37:11 says, "The meek will inherit the land," and in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus elaborates by saying, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). What's more, Jesus' famous instructions about turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) certainly have in mind the kind of offense mentioned in Proverbs 12:16, where the wise person overlooks an insult rather than becoming annoyed.
Life is full of irritations, and a fool shows his annoyance at once. He easily flies off the handle. A prudent person rides above the surge of irritation and overlooks the provocation. Having a calm spirit is so important in raising children, in working with others, in race relations, in marriage, in international relationships—in fact, in all of life.
Patience and prudence—wisdom—are important in all our dealings with others.
Have you asked God to guide you with his wisdom today? (See James 1:5.)
Lord, preserve us from knee-jerk reactions. Give us a calm spirit that trusts in you. Help us not to become easily annoyed. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
