傳道書 12
1 在你年輕的時日，在災禍的日子來到之前，即在你說的那些「沒有歡樂」的日子來到之前，你應記念你的造主；
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”
2 不要等到太陽、光體、月亮、星辰失光，雨後雲彩再來；
before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,
3 因為那時，看門者戰慄，大力士屈伏，推磨的婦女因為少而停工，眺望窗外的女人面目昏黑，
on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly,
4 兩扇街門將要關閉，磨聲低微，雀鳥息聲，歌女低吟，
when the doors to the street are shut and the sound of the mill fades away, when one rises at the sound of a bird and all the daughters of song grow faint,
5 怕上高處，行路危險，杏子被棄，蚱蜢被嫌，續隨子失去效力，因為人要回永久的家鄉，哀悼的人徘徊街頭；
when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels— for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.
6 那時銀鏈將斷，金燈將碎，水罐將破於泉旁，輪子將爛於井邊，
Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well,
7 灰塵將歸於原來的土中，生氣將歸於天主，因為原是天主之所賜。
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 訓道者說：虛而又虛，萬事皆虛。
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”
9 訓道者不但是智者，並且教人獲得知識，在沉思推究之後，編撰了許多格言。
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
10 訓道者費神尋找適當的語句，忠誠地寫下了真理之言。
The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.
11 智者的話好似錐子，收集起的言論集，好像釘牢的釘子：二者都是一位牧者所賜。
The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.
12 除此之外，我兒，不必再找別的書籍，書不論寫多少，總沒有止境；用功過度，必使身體疲倦。
And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.
13 總而言之：「你應敬畏天主，遵守他的誡命，因為這是眾人的義務。」
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
14 因為天主對一切行為，連最隱秘的，不論好壞，都要一一審判。
For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
