< 傳道書 11 >

1 把你的糧食拋到水面,多日後你必有所獲。
Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.
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。
Divide a portion into seven, yea, even into eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon 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 be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.
4 觀察風向的,必不撒種;研究雲象的,必不收割,
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
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 thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all things.
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 sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
7 光明實在可愛,看見太陽實在令眼舒暢。
And the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold 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。
For if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
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。
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
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。
Therefore remove vexation from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for childhood and youth are vanity.

< 傳道書 11 >