1 我见日光之下有一宗祸患,重压在人身上。 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: |
2 就是人蒙神赐他资财,丰富,尊荣,以致他心里所愿的一样都不缺,只是神使他不能吃用,反有外人来吃用。这是虚空,也是祸患。 God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. |
3 人若生一百个儿子,活许多岁数,以致他的年日甚多,心里却不得满享福乐,又不得埋葬。据我说,那不到期而落的胎比他倒好。 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. |
4 因为虚虚而来,暗暗而去,名字被黑暗遮蔽。 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. |
5 并且没有见过天日,也毫无知觉。这胎,比那人倒享安息。 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man-- |
6 那人虽然活千年,再活千年,却不享福,众人岂不都归一个地方去吗? even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place? |
7 人的劳碌都为口腹,心里却不知足。 All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. |
8 这样看来,智慧人比愚昧人有什么长处呢?穷人在众人面前知道如何行,有什么长处呢? What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? |
9 眼睛所看的,比心里妄想的倒好。这也是虚空,也是捕风。 Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. |
10 先前所有的,早已起了名。并知道何为人。他也不能与那比自己力大的相争。 Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he. |
11 加增虚浮的事既多,这与人有什么益处呢? The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? |
12 人一生虚度的日子,就如影儿经过。谁知道什么与他有益呢?谁能告诉他身后在日光之下有什么事呢? For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone? |