傳道書 10
1 死嗞蠅、使作香的膏油發出臭氣.這樣、一點愚昧、也能敗壞智慧和尊榮。
As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 智慧人的心居右.愚昧人的心居左。
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 並且愚昧人行路、顯出無知.對眾人說、他是愚昧人。
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
4 掌權者的心、若向你發怒、不要離開你的本位、因為柔和能免大過。
If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
5 我見日光之下、有一件禍患、似乎出於掌權的錯誤、
There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6 就是愚昧人立在高位.富足人坐在低位。
Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
7 我見過僕人騎馬、王子像僕人在地上步行。
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 挖陷坑的、自己必掉在其中.拆牆垣的、必為蛇所咬。
Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 鑿開〔或作挪移〕石頭的、必受損傷.劈開木頭的、必遭危險。
Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 鐵器鈍了、若不將刃磨快、就必多費氣力.但得智慧指教、便有益處。
If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
11 未行法術以先、蛇若咬人、後行法術也是無益。
If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 智慧人的口、說出恩言.愚昧人的嘴、吞滅自己。
Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
13 他口中的言語、起頭是愚昧.他話的末尾、是奸惡的狂妄。
At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--
14 愚昧人多有言語、人卻不知將來有甚麼事.他身後的事、誰能告訴他呢。
and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming--who can tell him what will happen after him?
15 凡愚昧人、他的勞碌使自己困乏.因為連進城的路他也不知道。
A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
16 邦國阿、你的王若是孩童、你的群臣早晨宴樂、你就有禍了。
Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 邦國阿、你的王若是貴冑之子、你的群臣按時喫喝、為要補力、不為酒醉、你就有福了。
Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time--for strength and not for drunkenness.
18 因人懶惰、房頂塌下.因人手懶、房屋滴漏。
If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
19 設擺筵席、是為喜笑.酒能使人快活、錢能叫萬事應心。
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 你不可咒詛君王、也不可心懷此念.在你臥房也不可咒詛富戶.因為空中的鳥、必傳揚這聲音.有翅膀的、也必述說這事。
Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.