Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honour.
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。
2 A wise man’s heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
智慧人的心居右； 愚昧人的心居左。
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he [is] a fool.
並且愚昧人行路顯出無知， 對眾人說，他是愚昧人。
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
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。
5 There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceedeth from the ruler:
我見日光之下有一件禍患， 似乎出於掌權的錯誤，
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
就是愚昧人立在高位； 富足人坐在低位。
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
我見過僕人騎馬， 王子像僕人在地上步行。
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中； 拆牆垣的，必為蛇所咬。
9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
鑿開石頭的，必受損傷； 劈開木頭的，必遭危險。
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.
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。
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
未行法術以先，蛇若咬人， 後行法術也是無益。
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
智慧人的口說出恩言； 愚昧人的嘴吞滅自己。
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness: and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness.
他口中的言語起頭是愚昧； 他話的末尾是奸惡的狂妄。
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
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？
15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
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。
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
邦國啊，你的王若是孩童， 你的群臣早晨宴樂， 你就有禍了！
17 Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
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！
18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
因人懶惰，房頂塌下； 因人手懶，房屋滴漏。
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all [things].
設擺筵席是為喜笑。 酒能使人快活； 錢能叫萬事應心。
20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
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。
