传道书 Ecclesiastes 10

1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
1 死苍蝇使做香的膏油发出臭气。这样，一点愚昧，也能败坏智慧和尊荣。

2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
2 智慧人的心居右，愚昧人的心居左。

3 Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
3 并且愚昧人行路显出无知，对众人说，他是愚昧人。

4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
4 掌权者的心若向你发怒，不要离开你的本位，因为柔和能免大过。

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
5 我见日光之下有一件祸患，似乎出于掌权的错误，

6 Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
6 就是愚昧人立在高位，富足人坐在低位。

7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
7 我见过仆人骑马，王子像仆人在地上步行。

8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
8 挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中；拆墙垣的，必为蛇所咬。

9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
9 凿开（或作“挪移”）石头的，必受损伤；劈开木头的，必遭危险。

10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
10 铁器钝了，若不将刃磨快，就必多费气力，但得智慧指教，便有益处。

11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
11 未行法术以先，蛇若咬人，后行法术也是无益。

12 Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
12 智慧人的口说出恩言；愚昧人的嘴吞灭自己。

13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness–
13 他口中的言语起头是愚昧；他话的末尾是奸恶的狂妄。

14 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming–who can tell him what will happen after him?
14 愚昧人多有言语。人却不知将来有什么事；他身后的事，谁能告诉他呢？

15 A fool’s work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
15 凡愚昧人，他的劳碌使自己困乏，因为连进城的路，他也不知道。

16 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.
16 邦国啊，你的王若是孩童，你的群臣早晨宴乐，你就有祸了！

17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time–for strength and not for drunkenness.
17 邦国啊，你的王若是贵胄之子，你的群臣按时吃喝，为要补力，不为酒醉，你就有福了！

18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
18 因人懒惰，房顶塌下；因人手懒，房屋滴漏。

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
19 设摆筵席，是为喜笑。酒能使人快活，钱能叫万事应心。

20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
20 你不可咒诅君王，也不可心怀此念，在你卧房也不可咒诅富户，因为空中的鸟必传扬这声音，有翅膀的也必述说这事。