Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies, cause to stink [and] ferment, the oil of the perfumer, —More costly than wisdom or honour, is a little folly.
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 The sense of the wise, is on his right hand, —But, the sense of the dullard, on his left:
智慧人的心居右； 愚昧人的心居左。
3 Yea, even by the way, as the foolish man walketh along, his sense faileth him—and he telleth everyone that, foolish, is he!
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 a ruler, riseth up against thee, thy place, do not leave, for gentleness, pacifieth such as have greatly erred.
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 Here was a misfortune I had seen under the sun, —a veritable mistake that was going forth from the presence of one who had power:
我见日光之下有一件祸患， 似乎出于掌权的错误，
6 Folly placed in great dignity, —while, the rich, in a low place, took their seat:
就是愚昧人立在高位； 富足人坐在低位。
7 I had seen, servants, upon horses, —and, rulers, walking like servants, on the ground.
我见过仆人骑马， 王子像仆人在地上步行。
8 He that diggeth a pit, thereinto, may fall, —and, he that breaketh through a hedge, there may bite him a serpent.
挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中； 拆墙垣的，必为蛇所咬。
9 He that removeth stones, may be hurt therewith, —and he that cleaveth 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, blunt, be the iron, and, himself, hath not sharpened, the edge, then, much force, must he apply, —but, an advantage for giving success, is wisdom.
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 a serpent will bite, unless he is charmed, then there is nothing better for him that owneth a 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 pleasant, —but, the lips of a dullard, will swallow him up:
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 folly, —but, the latter end of his speech, 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 Yet, a foolish man, multiplieth words, —[though] no man knoweth that which hath been, and, that which shall 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 toil of dullards, shall weary a man, that he knoweth not how to go into 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 Alas! for thee, O land, when thy king is a boy, —and, thy rulers, in the morning, do eat:
邦国啊，你的王若是孩童， 你的群臣早晨宴乐， 你就有祸了！
17 How happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, —and, thy rulers, in season, do eat, for strength, and not for debauchery.
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 two lazy arms, the framework sinketh in, —and, by the hanging down of the hands, the house may leak.
因人懒惰，房顶塌下； 因人手懒，房屋滴漏。
19 Merrily people make bread, and, wine, gladdeneth life, —but, money, answereth all things.
设摆筵席是为喜笑。 酒能使人快活； 钱能叫万事应心。
20 Even in thy thought, do not revile, the king, nor, within thy bed-chambers, revile thou the rich, —for, a bird of the heavens, might carry the voice, yea, an owner of wings, might 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。
