Ecclesiastes 9

1 For, unto all this, I applied my heart, and, my heart, considered all this, that, the righteous and the wise and their servants, were in the hand of God, —neither love nor hatred, could any man know, every one, was before Him.

我将这一切事放在心上，详细考究，就知道义人和智慧人，并他们的作为都在 神手中；或是爱，或是恨，都在他们的前面，人不能知道。

2 Every one, was like every one else, one destiny, had the righteous and the lawless, the good and the pure and the impure, and he that sacrificed, and he that did not sacrifice, —as the good man, so, the sinner, he that took an oath, as he who, of an oath, stood in fear.

凡临到众人的事都是一样：义人和恶人都遭遇一样的事；好人，洁净人和不洁净人，献祭的与不献祭的，也是一样。好人如何，罪人也如何；起誓的如何，怕起誓的也如何。

3 This was a misfortune in all that was done under the sun, that, one destiny, had they all, —yea also, the heart of the sons of men, was full of wickedness, and, madness, was in their heart, while they lived, and, after that, [they went] unto the dead.

在日光之下所行的一切事上有一件祸患，就是众人所遭遇的都是一样，并且世人的心充满了恶；活着的时候心里狂妄，后来就归死人那里去了。

4 For, whosoever was united to all the living, for him, there was hope, —inasmuch as, a living dog, fared better than a dead lion.

与一切活人相连的，那人还有指望，因为活着的狗比死了的狮子更强。

5 For, the living, knew that they should die, —but, the dead, knew not, anything, neither had they any longer a reward, because forgotten was their memory.

活着的人知道必死；死了的人毫无所知，也不再得赏赐；他们的名无人记念。

6 Both their love and their hatred and their envy, already had perished, —and, portion, had they none any longer, unto times age-abiding, in aught that was done under the sun.

他们的爱，他们的恨，他们的嫉妒，早都消灭了。在日光之下所行的一切事上，他们永不再有分了。

7 Go thy way—eat, with gladness, thy food, and drink, with a happy heart, thy wine, —when already God is well pleased with thy works.

你只管去欢欢喜喜吃你的饭，心中快乐喝你的酒，因为 神已经悦纳你的作为。

8 Continually, let thy garments be white, —and, ointment upon thy head, let it not be lacking.

你的衣服当时常洁白，你头上也不要缺少膏油。

9 Enjoy life, with thy wife whom thou lovest, all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity, —for, that, is thy portion in life, and in thy toil wherewith, thou, art toiling under the sun.

在你一生虚空的年日，就是 神赐你在日光之下虚空的年日，当同你所爱的妻，快活度日，因为那是你生前在日光之下劳碌的事上所得的分。

10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, with thy might, do, —for there is no work nor calculation nor knowledge nor wisdom, in hades, whither, thou, art going. (Sheol h7585)

凡你手所当做的事要尽力去做；因为在你所必去的阴间没有工作，没有谋算，没有知识，也没有智慧。 (Sheol h7585)

11 I again saw under the sun, that not, to the swift, was the race, nor, to the strong, the battle, nay! nor, to the wise, food, nor yet, to the intelligent, riches, nor, even to the well-informed, comeliness, —for, time and accident, happened to them all.

我又转念：见日光之下，快跑的未必能赢；力战的未必得胜；智慧的未必得粮食；明哲的未必得资财；灵巧的未必得喜悦。所临到众人的是在乎当时的机会。

12 For, indeed, man could not know his own time, like fishes which were caught in a cruel net, and like little birds which were caught in a trap, —like them, were ensnared the sons of men, by a time of misfortune, when it fell upon them suddenly.

原来人也不知道自己的定期。鱼被恶网圈住，鸟被网罗捉住，祸患忽然临到的时候，世人陷在其中也是如此。

13 Even this, had I seen of wisdom, under the sun, —and, of great import, was the same unto me: —

我见日光之下有一样智慧，据我看乃是广大，

14 A little city, and men therein few, —and there came against it a great king, and surrounded it, and built against it large siege-works;

就是有一小城，其中的人数稀少，有大君王来攻击，修筑营垒，将城围困。

15 but there was found therein, a man, poor [but] wise, and, he, delivered the city by his wisdom, —yet, no one, remembered that poor man.

城中有一个贫穷的智慧人，他用智慧救了那城，却没有人记念那穷人。

16 Then said, I, Better is wisdom than strength, —although, the wisdom of the poor man, be despised, and, his words, not heard.

我就说，智慧胜过勇力；然而那贫穷人的智慧被人藐视，他的话也无人听从。

17 The words of the wise, in quietness, are heard, —beyond the outcry of one who ruleth over dullards.

宁可在安静之中听智慧人的言语，不听掌管愚昧人的喊声。

18 Better is wisdom, than weapons of war, —but, one sinner, may destroy much good.

智慧胜过打仗的兵器；但一个罪人能败坏许多善事。