傳道書 10
1 死蒼蠅使做香的膏油發出臭氣； 這樣，一點愚昧也能敗壞智慧和尊榮。
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 智慧人的心居右； 愚昧人的心居左。
A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
3 並且愚昧人行路顯出無知， 對眾人說，他是愚昧人。
Yea also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
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 the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, leave not thy place, for deference allays great offenses.
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 which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler:
6 就是愚昧人立在高位； 富足人坐在低位。
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 我見過僕人騎馬， 王子像僕人在地上步行。
I have seen servants upon horses, and rulers walking like servants upon the earth.
8 挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中； 拆牆垣的，必為蛇所咬。
He who digs a pit shall fall into it, and he who breaks through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
9 鑿開石頭的，必受損傷； 劈開木頭的，必遭危險。
He who hews out stones shall be hurt therewith, and he who splits wood is endangered thereby.
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 iron be blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must increase strength. But wisdom is advantageous to make right.
11 未行法術以先，蛇若咬人， 後行法術也是無益。
If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
12 智慧人的口說出恩言； 愚昧人的嘴吞滅自己。
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow himself up.
13 他口中的言語起頭是愚昧； 他話的末尾是奸惡的狂妄。
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous 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？
A fool also multiplies words; yet man knows not what shall be, and that which shall be after him, who can tell 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。
The labor of fools wearies every one of them, for he knows not how to go to the city.
16 邦國啊，你的王若是孩童， 你的群臣早晨宴樂， 你就有禍了！
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy rulers feast in the morning!
17 邦國啊，你的王若是貴冑之子， 你的群臣按時吃喝， 為要補力，不為酒醉， 你就有福了！
Happy are thou, O land, when thy king is the son of noble men, and thy rulers feast in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 因人懶惰，房頂塌下； 因人手懶，房屋滴漏。
By slothfulness the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands 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 glad the life, and money answers all things.
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。
Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought, and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber. For a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.
