Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odour; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
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。
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.
並且愚昧人行路顯出無知， 對眾人說，他是愚昧人。
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offences to rest.
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。
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
我見日光之下有一件禍患， 似乎出於掌權的錯誤，
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.
我見過僕人騎馬， 王子像僕人在地上步行。
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中； 拆牆垣的，必為蛇所咬。
9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
鑿開石頭的，必受損傷； 劈開木頭的，必遭危險。
10 If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
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。
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
未行法術以先，蛇若咬人， 後行法術也是無益。
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
智慧人的口說出恩言； 愚昧人的嘴吞滅自己。
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
他口中的言語起頭是愚昧； 他話的末尾是奸惡的狂妄。
14 A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
愚昧人多有言語， 人卻不知將來有甚麼事； 他身後的事誰能告訴他呢？
15 The labour of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
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。
16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
邦國啊，你的王若是孩童， 你的群臣早晨宴樂， 你就有禍了！
17 Happy 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！
18 By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
因人懶惰，房頂塌下； 因人手懶，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.
設擺筵席是為喜笑。 酒能使人快活； 錢能叫萬事應心。
20 Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
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。
