傳道書 10
1 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。
As dead flies cause perfume to stink, so a little folly can overpower wisdom and honor.
2 智慧人的心居右； 愚昧人的心居左。
The heart of a wise person tends to the right, but the heart of a fool tends to the left.
3 並且愚昧人行路顯出無知， 對眾人說，他是愚昧人。
When a fool walks down a road, his thinking is deficient, proving to everyone he is a fool.
4 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。
If the emotions of a ruler rise up against you, do not leave your work. Calm can quiet down great outrage.
5 我見日光之下有一件禍患， 似乎出於掌權的錯誤，
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, a kind of error that comes from a ruler:
6 就是愚昧人立在高位； 富足人坐在低位。
Fools are given leadership positions, while successful men are given low positions.
7 我見過僕人騎馬， 王子像僕人在地上步行。
I have seen slaves riding horses, and successful men walking like slaves on the ground.
8 挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中； 拆牆垣的，必為蛇所咬。
Anyone who digs a pit can fall into it, and whenever someone breaks down a wall, a snake can bite him.
9 鑿開石頭的，必受損傷； 劈開木頭的，必遭危險。
Whoever cuts out stones can be hurt by them, and the man who chops wood is endangered by it.
10 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。
If an iron blade is dull, and a man does not sharpen it, then he must use more strength, but wisdom provides an advantage for success.
11 未行法術以先，蛇若咬人， 後行法術也是無益。
If a snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
12 智慧人的口說出恩言； 愚昧人的嘴吞滅自己。
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 他口中的言語起頭是愚昧； 他話的末尾是奸惡的狂妄。
As words begin to flow from a fool's mouth, foolishness comes out, and at the end his mouth flows with wicked madness.
14 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？
A fool multiplies words, but no one knows what is coming. Who knows what is coming after him?
15 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。
The toil of fools wearies them, so that they do not even know the road to town.
16 邦國啊，你的王若是孩童， 你的群臣早晨宴樂， 你就有禍了！
Woe to you, land, if your king is a young boy, and if your leaders begin feasting in the morning!
17 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！
But blessed are you, land, if your king is the son of nobles, and if your leaders eat at the right time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 因人懶惰，房頂塌下； 因人手懶，房屋滴漏。
Because of laziness the roof sinks in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.
19 設擺筵席是為喜笑。 酒能使人快活； 錢能叫萬事應心。
People prepare food for laughter, wine brings enjoyment to life, and money fills the need for everything.
20 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。
Do not curse the king, not even in your mind, and do not curse rich people in your bedroom. For a bird of the sky might carry your words; whatever has wings can spread the matter.
