传道书 11

1 当将你的粮食撒在水面， 因为日久必能得着。

Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.

2 你要分给七人，或分给八人， 因为你不知道将来有什么灾祸临到地上。

Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.

3 云若满了雨，就必倾倒在地上。 树若向南倒，或向北倒， 树倒在何处，就存在何处。

If the clouds are full of rain, they send it down on the earth; and if a tree comes down to the south, or the north, in whatever place it comes down, there it will be.

4 看风的，必不撒种； 望云的，必不收割。

He who is watching the wind will not get the seed planted, and he who is looking at the clouds will not get in the grain.

5 风从何道来，骨头在怀孕妇人的胎中如何长成，你尚且不得知道；这样，行万事之 神的作为，你更不得知道。

As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.

6 早晨要撒你的种，晚上也不要歇你的手，因为你不知道哪一样发旺；或是早撒的，或是晚撒的，或是两样都好。

In the morning put your seed into the earth, and till the evening let not your hand be at rest; because you are not certain which will do well, this or that — or if the two will be equally good.

7 光本是佳美的，眼见日光也是可悦的。

Truly the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.

8 人活多年，就当快乐多年；然而也当想到黑暗的日子。因为这日子必多，所要来的都是虚空。

But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.

9 少年人哪，你在幼年时当快乐。在幼年的日子，使你的心欢畅，行你心所愿行的，看你眼所爱看的；却要知道，为这一切的事， 神必审问你。

Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.

10 所以，你当从心中除掉愁烦，从肉体克去邪恶；因为一生的开端和幼年之时，都是虚空的。

So put away trouble from your heart, and sorrow from your flesh; because the early years and the best years are to no purpose.