Classic of Documents
周書 Zhōu shū
微子之命 第三十六 Book Thirty-six · Wēizǐ zhī mìng
王若曰：「猷！殷王元子！惟稽古，崇德象賢。統承先王，修其禮物。作賓于王家，與國咸休，永世無窮。
“The king speaks to the following effect:—‘Ho! eldest son of the king of Yin, in accordance with the statutes of antiquity, that the honouring of the virtuous belongs to their descendants who resemble them in worth, do you continue the line of the kings your ancestors, cultivating their ceremonies and taking care of their various relics. Be a guest also in our royal house, enjoying the prosperity of our kingdom, for ever and ever without end.
「嗚呼！乃祖成湯，克齊聖廣淵；皇天眷佑，誕受厥命；撫民以寬，除其邪虐；功加于時，德垂後裔；
‘Oh! your ancestor, T‘ang the Successful, was reverent and sage, vast and deep in his virtue. The favour and help of Great Heaven lighted upon him, and he received the great appointment, to soothe the people by his gentleness, and to remove their wicked oppressions. His achievements affected all his age, and his virtue was transmitted to his posterity.
「爾惟踐修厥猷，舊有令聞；恪慎克孝，肅恭神人，予嘉乃德。曰：『篤！不忘。』上帝時歆，下民祗協，庸建爾于上公，尹茲東夏；
And you are the one who pursue and cultivate his plans;—this praise belongs to you of old. Reverently and carefully you discharge your filial duties; gravely and respectfully you behave to spirits and to men. I admire your virtue, and pronounce it great, and not to be forgotten. God will always enjoy your offerings; the people will be reverently harmonious under your sway. I raise you, therefore, to the rank of High Duke, to rule this eastern part of our great land.
「欽哉！往敷乃訓，慎乃服命，率由典常，以蕃王室。弘乃烈祖，律乃有民，永綏厥位，毗予一人；世世享德，萬邦作式；俾我有周無斁。
‘Be reverent. Go and diffuse abroad your instructions; be carefully observant of your robes and various other symbols of your appointment; follow and observe the proper statutes!—so as to prove a bulwark to the royal House. Enlarge the fame of your meritorious ancestor; be a law to your people!—so as for ever to preserve your dignity. So also shall you be a help to me the one man; future ages will enjoy the benefit of your virtue; all the States will take you for a pattern!—and thus you will make our dynasty of Chow never weary of you.
「嗚呼！往哉惟休，無替朕命。」
Oh! go, and be prosperous. Do not disregard my charge.’”