< 传道书 4 >
1 我又转念,见日光之下所行的一切欺压。看哪,受欺压的流泪,且无人安慰;欺压他们的有势力,也无人安慰他们。
I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2 因此,我赞叹那早已死的死人,胜过那还活着的活人。
And I praised the dead rather than the living:
3 并且我以为那未曾生的,就是未见过日光之下恶事的,比这两等人更强。
And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4 我又见人为一切的劳碌和各样灵巧的工作就被邻舍嫉妒。这也是虚空,也是捕风。
Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
8 有人孤单无二,无子无兄,竟劳碌不息,眼目也不以钱财为足。他说:“我劳劳碌碌,刻苦自己,不享福乐,到底是为谁呢?”这也是虚空,是极重的劳苦。
There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9 两个人总比一个人好,因为二人劳碌同得美好的果效。
It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
10 若是跌倒,这人可以扶起他的同伴;若是孤身跌倒,没有别人扶起他来,这人就有祸了。
If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11 再者,二人同睡就都暖和,一人独睡怎能暖和呢?
And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12 有人攻胜孤身一人,若有二人便能敌挡他;三股合成的绳子不容易折断。
And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13 贫穷而有智慧的少年人胜过年老不肯纳谏的愚昧王。
Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14 这人是从监牢中出来作王,在他国中,生来原是贫穷的。
Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15 我见日光之下一切行动的活人都随从那第二位,就是起来代替老王的少年人。
I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
16 他所治理的众人就是他的百姓,多得无数;在他后来的人尚且不喜悦他。这真是虚空,也是捕风。
The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.