Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

死苍蝇使做香的膏油发出臭气； 这样，一点愚昧也能败坏智慧和尊荣。

2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.

智慧人的心居右； 愚昧人的心居左。

3 Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

并且愚昧人行路显出无知， 对众人说，他是愚昧人。

4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

掌权者的心若向你发怒， 不要离开你的本位， 因为柔和能免大过。

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.

我见日光之下有一件祸患， 似乎出于掌权的错误，

6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

就是愚昧人立在高位； 富足人坐在低位。

7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.

我见过仆人骑马， 王子像仆人在地上步行。

8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a serpent.

挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中； 拆墙垣的，必为蛇所咬。

9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.

凿开石头的，必受损伤； 劈开木头的，必遭危险。

10 If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

铁器钝了，若不将刃磨快，就必多费气力； 但得智慧指教，便有益处。

11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.

未行法术以先，蛇若咬人， 后行法术也是无益。

12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

智慧人的口说出恩言； 愚昧人的嘴吞灭自己。

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

他口中的言语起头是愚昧； 他话的末尾是奸恶的狂妄。

14 A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?

愚昧人多有言语， 人却不知将来有什么事； 他身后的事谁能告诉他呢？

15 The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know how to go to the city.

凡愚昧人，他的劳碌使自己困乏， 因为连进城的路，他也不知道。

16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning.

邦国啊，你的王若是孩童， 你的群臣早晨宴乐， 你就有祸了！

17 Blessed are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness.

邦国啊，你的王若是贵胄之子， 你的群臣按时吃喝， 为要补力，不为酒醉， 你就有福了！

18 By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

因人懒惰，房顶塌下； 因人手懒，房屋滴漏。

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.

设摆筵席是为喜笑。 酒能使人快活； 钱能叫万事应心。

20 Do not curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and do not curse the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.

你不可咒诅君王， 也不可心怀此念； 在你卧房也不可咒诅富户。 因为空中的鸟必传扬这声音， 有翅膀的也必述说这事。