傳道書 11

1 把你的糧食拋到水面，多日後你必有所獲。

Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.

2 將你的家產分作七分八分，因為你不知道世上要發生什麼災禍。

Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.

3 雲一滿了，雨就傾住於地。樹倒向南或倒向北，一倒在那裏，就躺在那裏。

If the clouds are full of rain, they send it down on the earth; and if a tree comes down to the south, or the north, in whatever place it comes down, there it will be.

4 觀察風向的，必不撒種；研究雲象的，必不收割，

He who is watching the wind will not get the seed planted, and he who is looking at the clouds will not get in the grain.

5 就如你不知道生氣如何進入孕婦胎中的骨骼裏，同樣你也不知道天主所創造的一切化工。

As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.

6 你早上撒種，晚上也不要住手，因為你不知道：是早上撒的，或是晚上撒的長的好，或是兩種都同樣好。

In the morning put your seed into the earth, and till the evening let not your hand be at rest; because you are not certain which will do well, this or that — or if the two will be equally good.

7 光明實在可愛，看見太陽實在令眼舒暢。

Truly the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.

8 人無論活了多大年紀，儘可享受各種福樂；但他應想到黑暗的日子還多，所發生的事，盡屬虛幻。

But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.

9 少年人，在你青春時應歡樂；在你少壯的時日，應心神愉快；隨你心所欲，你眼所悅的去行，但應知道：天主必要就你所行的一切審判你。

Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.

10 掃除你心中的煩惱，驅除你身上的痛苦，因為青春和少年都是虛幻。

So put away trouble from your heart, and sorrow from your flesh; because the early years and the best years are to no purpose.