人生的虚空
在耶路撒冷作王、大卫的儿子、传道者的言语。
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2传道者说：虚空的虚空， 虚空的虚空，全是虚空。Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3人一切的劳碌， 就是他在日光之下的劳碌，有什么益处呢？What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4一代过去，一代又来， 地却永远长存。One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5太阳上升，太阳落下， 急归所出之地。The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6风往南刮，又向北转， 不停旋转，绕回原路。The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7江河都往海里流，海却不满； 江河从何处流，仍归回原处。All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
8万事令人厌倦， 人不能说尽。 眼看，看不饱； 耳听，听不足。All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9已有的事，后必再有； 已行的事，后必再行。 日光之下并无新事。The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10有一件事人指着说：“看，这是新的！” 它在我们以前的世代早已有了。Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11已过的事，无人记念； 将来的事，后来的人也不记念。传道者的经验
There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
12我传道者在耶路撒冷作过以色列的王。I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13我用智慧专心探寻、考察天下所发生的一切事：神给世人何等沉重的担子，使他们在其中劳苦！And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14我见日光之下所发生的一切事，看哪，全是虚空，全是捕风。I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15弯曲的，不能变直； 缺乏的，不计其数。That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16我心里说：“看哪，我大有智慧，胜过在我以前所有统治耶路撒冷的人；我的心也多经历智慧和知识的事。”I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17我专心想要明白智慧，想要明白狂妄与愚昧，方知这也是捕风。And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18因为多有智慧，就多有愁烦； 增加知识，就增加忧伤。For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
我心里说：“来吧，让我用喜乐试试你，使你享福！”看哪，这也是虚空。
I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2论嬉笑，我说：“这是狂妄。”论享乐，“这有什么用呢？”I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3我心以智慧引导我，我心里探究，如何用酒使身体舒畅，如何抓住愚昧，直等我看明世人在天下短暂一生中，当行何事为美。I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
4我大兴土木，为自己建造房屋，栽葡萄园，I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5修造庭园和公园，在其中栽种各样果树，I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
6挖造水池，用以灌溉林中的幼树。I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
7我买了仆婢，也有生在家中的仆婢；又有许多牛群羊群，胜过我以前所有在耶路撒冷的人。I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
8我为自己积蓄金银，搜集各君王、各省份的财宝；又为自己得男女歌手和世人所喜爱的物，以及一个又一个的妃嫔。I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9这样，我就日渐昌盛，胜过我以前所有在耶路撒冷的人。我的智慧仍然存留。So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10凡我眼所求的，我没有克制它；我心所乐的，我没有不享受。因我的心要为一切的劳碌快乐，这是我从一切劳碌中所得的报偿☛“报偿”或译“福分”；3．22，5．18，9．9同。。And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
11后来，我回顾我手所经营的一切和我劳碌所做的工。看哪，全是虚空，全是捕风；在日光之下毫无益处。Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
12我转而回顾智慧、狂妄和愚昧。在王以后来的人又如何呢？不过做先前所做的就是了。And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
13于是我看出智慧胜过愚昧，如同光明胜过黑暗。Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
14智慧人的眼目光明☛“光明”：原文是“在他头上”。，愚昧人却在黑暗里行。但我知道他们都有相同的遭遇。The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
15我心里就说：“愚昧人所遇见的，我也一样遇见，那么我何必更有智慧呢？”我心里说：“这也是虚空。”Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
16智慧人和愚昧人一样，不会长久被人记念，因为日后都被遗忘。可叹！智慧人和愚昧人都一样会死亡。For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
17于是我恨恶生命，因为在日光之下所发生的事我都以为烦恼，全是虚空，全是捕风。Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
18我恨恶一切的劳碌，就是我在日光之下所劳碌的，因为我所得的必须留给我以后的人。Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
19那人是智慧是愚昧，谁能知道呢？他竟要掌管我在日光之下用智慧劳碌所得的。这也是虚空。And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
20我转想我在日光之下所劳碌的一切工作，心就绝望。Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
21因为有人用智慧、知识、灵巧劳碌工作，所得来的却要遗留给未曾劳碌的人作产业。这也是虚空，大大不幸。For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22人一切的劳碌操心，就是他在日光之下所劳碌的，又得着了什么呢？For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
23他日日忧虑，他的劳苦成为愁烦，连夜间心也不得休息。这也是虚空。For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
24难道一个人有吃有喝，且在劳碌中享福，不是福气吗？我看这也是出于神的手。There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
25论到吃用、享福，谁能胜过我呢？For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
26神喜爱谁，就给谁智慧、知识和喜乐；惟有罪人，神使他劳苦，将他所储藏、所堆积的归给神所喜爱的人。这也是虚空，也是捕风。For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
万事都有定时
凡事都有定期， 天下每一事务都有定时。To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2生有时，死有时； 栽种有时，拔出☛“拔出”：原文是“拔出所栽种的”。有时；A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3杀戮有时，医治有时； 拆毁有时，建造有时；A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4哭有时，笑有时； 哀恸有时，跳舞有时；A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5丢石头有时，捡石头有时； 怀抱有时，不抱有时；A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6寻找有时，失落有时； 保存有时，抛弃有时；A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7撕裂有时，缝补有时； 沉默有时，说话有时；A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8喜爱有时，恨恶有时； 战争有时，和平有时。A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9这样，做事的人在他所劳碌的事上得到什么益处呢？What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10我观看神给世人的担子，使他们在其中劳苦：I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11神造万物，各按其时成为美好，又将永恒安放在世人心里；然而神从始至终的作为，人不能测透。He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12我知道，人除了终身喜乐纳福，没有一件幸福的事。I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13并且人人吃喝，在他的一切劳碌中享福，这也是神的赏赐。And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14我知道神所做的都必存到永远；无所增添，无所减少。神这样做，是要人在他面前存敬畏的心。I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15现今的事以前就有了，将来的事也早已有了，并且神使已过的事重新再来☛“使已过的事重新再来”：原文是“再寻回已过的事”。。世上的不公平
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
16我又见日光之下，应有公平之处有奸恶，应有公义之处也有奸恶。And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17我心里说：“神必审判义人和恶人，因为在那里，各样事务，一切工作，都有定时。”I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
18我心里说：“为世人的缘故，神考验他们，让他们看见自己不过像走兽一样。”I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
19因为世人遭遇的，走兽也遭遇，所遭遇的都一样：这个怎样死，那个也怎样死，他们都有一样的气息。人不能强于走兽，全是虚空；For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20都归一处，都是出于尘土，也都归于尘土。All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21谁知道人的气息是往上升，走兽的气息是下入地呢？☛本节或译“谁知道人的灵是往上升，兽的魂是下入地呢？”Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22总而言之，人能够在他经营的事上喜乐，是最好不过了，因为这是他应得的报偿。他身后的事谁能领他回来看呢？Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
我转而观看日光之下所发生的一切欺压之事。看哪，受欺压的流泪，无人安慰；欺压他们的有权势，也无人安慰。
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
2因此，我赞叹那已死的死人，胜过那还活着的活人。Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3但那尚未出生，就是未曾见过日光之下所发生之恶事的，比这两种人更幸福。Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4我见人因彼此嫉妒而有一切的劳碌和各样工作的成就，这也是虚空，也是捕风。Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5愚昧人抱着双臂， 自食其肉。The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6一掌满满而得享安静， 胜过两掌满满而劳碌捕风。Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7我转而观看日光之下有一件虚空的事：Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8有人孤单无双，无子无兄弟，竟劳碌不息，眼目也不以财富为满足。他说：“我劳碌，自己却不享福，到底是为了谁呢？”这也是虚空，是极沉重的担子。There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9两个人总比一个人好，他们劳碌同得美好的报偿。Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10若是跌倒，这人可以扶起他的同伴；倘若孤身跌倒，没有别人扶起他来，这人就有祸了。For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11再者，二人同睡就都暖和，一人独睡怎能暖和呢？Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12若遇敌攻击，孤身难挡，二人就能抵挡他；三股合成的绳子不易折断。And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13贫穷而有智慧的年轻人，胜过年老不再纳谏的愚昧王，Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14那人从监牢里出来作王，在国中原是出身贫寒。For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15我见日光之下所有行走的活人，都跟随那年轻人，就是接续作王的那位。I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16他的百姓，就是他所治理的众人，多得无数；但后来的人还是不喜欢他。这也是虚空，也是捕风。There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
不可随便许愿
你到神的殿要谨慎你的脚步；近前听，胜过愚昧人献祭，他们不知道自己在作恶。
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
2在神面前你不可冒失开口，也不可心急发言；因为神在天上，你在地上，所以你的话语要少。Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
3事务多，令人做梦；话语多，显出愚昧。For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
4你向神许愿，还愿不可迟延，因他不喜欢愚昧人，你许的愿应当偿还。When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5你许愿不还，不如不许。Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6不可放任你的口使肉体犯罪，也不可在使者☛“使者”：七十士译本是“神”。面前说是错许了。为何使神因你的声音发怒，败坏你手所做的呢？Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
7多梦多言，其中多有虚空，你只要敬畏神。人生是虚空的
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
8你若在一个地区看见穷人受欺压，公义公平被掠夺，不要因此惊奇；有一位高过居高位的在鉴察，在他们之上还有更高的。If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
9况且地的益处归众人，就是君王也受田地的供应。☛本节或译“君王有耕种的田地，对全地是有益的。”Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
10喜爱银子的，不因得银子满足；喜爱财富的，也不因得利益知足。这也是虚空。He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11货物增添，吃的人也增添，物主得什么益处呢？不过眼看而已！When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
12劳碌的人不拘吃多吃少，睡得香甜；富人的丰足却不容他睡觉。The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13我见日光之下有一件令人忧伤的祸患，就是财主积存财富，反害自己。There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
14他因遭遇不幸☛“遭遇不幸”或译“经营不善”。，财产尽失；他生了儿子，手里却一无所有。But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
15他怎样从母胎赤身而来，也必照样赤身而去；他所劳碌得来的，手中分毫不能带去。As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
16这是一件令人忧伤的祸患。他来的时候怎样，去的时候也必怎样。他为风劳碌有什么益处呢？And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
17并且他终身在黑暗中吃喝☛“在黑暗中吃喝”：七十士译本是“黑暗和悲伤”。，多有烦恼、病痛和怒气。All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
18看哪，我所见为善为美的，就是人在神赐他一生的日子吃喝，享受日光之下劳碌得来的好处，因为这是他应得的报偿。Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19而且，一个人蒙神赏赐财富与资产，又使他能享用，能获取自己当有的报偿☛“自己当有的报偿”或译“自己的福分”。，在他的劳碌中喜乐，这是神的赏赐。Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
20他不多思念自己一生的日子，因为神使他的心充满喜乐。For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
我见日光之下有一件祸患重压在人身上，
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
2就是人蒙神赐他财富、资产和尊荣，以致他心里所愿的一样都不缺，只是神使他不能享用，反被外人享用。这是虚空，也是祸患。A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
3人若生一百个儿子，活许多岁数；他即使寿命很长，心里却不因福乐而满足，又不得埋葬；我说，那流掉的胎比他倒好。If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
4因为这胎虚虚而来，暗暗而去，名字被黑暗遮蔽，For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
5而且没有见过天日，什么都不知道，这胎比那人倒享安息。Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
6那人虽然活千年，再活千年，却不能享福；众人岂不都归同一个地方去吗？Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
7人的劳碌都为口腹，心里却不知足。All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
8智慧人比愚昧人有什么益处呢？困苦人在众人面前知道如何行，有什么益处呢？For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
9眼睛所看的比心里妄想的倒好。这也是虚空，也是捕风。Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
10先前所有的，早已起了名，人早知道人是如何的，不能与比自己强壮的相争。That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
11话语多，虚空也增多，这对人有什么益处呢？Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
12人一生虚度的日子，如影儿经过，谁知道什么才是对他有益呢？谁能告诉他身后在日光之下会发生什么事呢？For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
智愚之别
名誉强如美好的膏油， 人死去的日子胜过他出生的日子。A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2往丧家去， 强如往宴乐的家， 因为死是众人的结局， 活人必将这事放在心上。It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3忧愁强如喜笑， 因为面带愁容，终必使心喜乐。Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4智慧人的心在遭丧之家； 愚昧人的心在快乐之家。The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5听智慧人的责备， 强如听愚昧人歌唱；It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6因为愚昧人的笑声， 好像锅子下面烧荆棘的爆声， 这也是虚空。For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7勒索使智慧人变为愚妄， 贿赂能败坏人的心。Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8事情的终局强如它的起头； 存心忍耐的，胜过居心骄傲的。Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9你的心不要急躁恼怒， 因为恼怒存在愚昧人的怀中。Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10不要说： 为什么先前的日子强过现今的日子呢？ 你这样问不是出于智慧。Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11智慧加上产业是美好的， 对见天日的人都有益处。Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12因为智慧庇护人， 好像金钱庇护人一样； 智慧能保全智慧者的生命， 这就是知识的益处。For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13你要观看神的作为， 谁能使他所弯曲的变直呢？Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14顺利时要喜乐；患难时当思考。神使这两样都发生，因此，人不知将会发生什么事。In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
15在虚度的日子里，我见过各样的事情，义人在他的义中灭亡，恶人在他的恶中倒享长寿。All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
16不要行义过分，也不要过于自逞智慧，何必自取败亡呢？Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
17不要行恶过分，也不要为人愚昧，何必未到期而死呢？Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18你持守这个，那个也不要松手才好。敬畏神的人，这一切都能兼得。It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19智慧使拥有智慧的人比城中十个官长更有能力。Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
20其实世上没有行善而不犯罪的义人。For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21人所说的话，你不要都放在心上，免得听见你的仆人诅咒你。Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22因为你心里知道，自己也曾屡次诅咒别人。For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23我曾用智慧试验这一切事，我说：“要得智慧。”智慧却离我远。All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24万事之理遥不可及，太深奥，谁能测透呢？That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25我转念，一心要知道，要考察，要寻求智慧和万事的来由，要知道邪恶为愚昧，愚昧为狂妄。I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
26我发现有一种妇人比死还苦毒：她本身是陷阱，她的心是罗网，手是锁链。凡蒙神喜爱的人必能躲开她；有罪的人却被她缠住了。And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27传道者说：“你看，我考察一件又一件，为要寻求万事的来由，这是我所寻得的：Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
28我继续寻找，却未找到；一千当中，我找到一个男的，但在这一切当中，却找不到一个女的。Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29你看，我所找到的只有一件，就是神造的人是正直的，但他们却寻出许多诡计。”Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
服从君王
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
2我劝你☛七十士译本没有“我劝你”。因神誓言的缘故，当遵守王的命令。I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
3不要急躁离开王的面前，不要固执行恶，因为他凡事都随自己心意而行。Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4王的话本有权力，谁能对他说：“你在做什么？”Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
5凡遵守命令的，必不经历祸患；智慧人的心知道适当的时机和必经的过程。Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6各样事务都有时机和过程，但人有苦难重压在身。Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
7他不知道将来的事，其实将来如何，谁能告诉他呢？For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
8没有人能掌握生命，将生命留住；也没有人有权力掌管死期。这场争战无人能免；邪恶也不能救那行邪恶的人。There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9这一切我都见过，我专心考察日光之下所发生的一切事，有时这人管辖那人，令他受害。恶人和义人
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
10我见恶人被埋葬；从前他们进出圣地，他们在城中的作为被人忘记。这也是虚空。And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
11判罪之后不立刻执行，所以世人满怀作恶的心思。Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12罪人虽然作恶百次，倒享长寿；然而我也知道，福乐必临到敬畏神的人，就是在他面前心存敬畏的人。Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
13恶人却不得福乐，他的日子好像影儿不得长久，因为他不敬畏神。But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14世上有一件虚空的事，就是义人所遭遇的，反而照恶人所做的；恶人所遭遇的，反而照义人所做的。我说，这也是虚空。There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15我就称赞快乐，原来人在日光之下，最大的福气莫过于吃喝快乐；他在日光之下，神赐他一生的日子，要从劳碌中享受所得。Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16我专心想要明白智慧，要观看世上所发生的事。有人昼夜不得阖眼睡觉。When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
17我观看神一切的作为，知道人不能探求日光之下所发生的事；任凭他费多少力探索，都找不出来，智慧人虽说他明白，仍不能找出来。Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
我将这一切事放在心上，详细研究这些，就知道义人和智慧人，并他们的作为都在神手中；或是爱，或是恨，都在他们面前，但人不能知道。
For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
2凡临到众人的际遇都一样：义人和恶人，好人☛“好人”：七十士译本是“好人和坏人”。，洁净的人和不洁净的人，献祭的和不献祭的，都一样。好人如何，罪人也如何；起誓的如何，怕起誓的也如何。All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3在日光之下发生的一切事中有一件祸患，就是众人的际遇都一样，并且世人的心充满了恶；活着的时候心里狂妄，后来就归死人那里去了。This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4与一切活人相连的，那人还有指望，因为活着的狗胜过死了的狮子。For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5活着的人知道必死；死了的人毫无所知，也不再得赏赐，因为他们的名☛“名”：原文是“纪念”。已被遗忘。For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6他们的爱，他们的恨，他们的嫉妒，早就消灭了。在日光之下所发生的一切事，他们永不再有份了。Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
7你只管欢欢喜喜吃你的饭，心中快乐喝你的酒，因为神已经悦纳你的作为。Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
8你的衣服要时时洁白，你头上也不要缺少膏油。Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9在你一生虚空的日子，就是神赐你在日光之下虚空☛七十士译本没有“虚空”。的日子，当与你所爱的妻快活度日，因为那是你一生中在日光之下劳碌所得的报偿。Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
10凡你手所当做的事，要尽力去做；因为在你所必须去的阴间没有工作，没有谋算，没有知识，也没有智慧。Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11我转而回顾日光之下，快跑的未必能赢，强壮的未必战胜，智慧的未必得粮食，聪明的未必得财富，有学问的未必得人喜悦，全在乎各人遇上的时候和机会。I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12人不知道自己的定期。鱼被险恶的网圈住，鸟被罗网捉住，祸患的时刻忽然临到，世人陷在其中也是如此。智慧胜过武力
For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
13我见日光之下有一样智慧，在我看来是伟大的，This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14就是有一人口稀少的小城，遇大君王前来攻击，修筑营垒，将城围困。There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15城中有一个贫穷的智慧人，他用智慧救了那城，却没有人记念那穷人。Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16我就说，智慧胜过勇力；然而那贫穷人的智慧被人藐视，他的话也无人听从。Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17宁可听智慧人安静的话语，不听掌权者在愚昧人中的喊声。The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
18智慧胜过打仗的兵器；但一个罪人能败坏许多善事。Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
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.
2智慧人的心居右； 愚昧人的心居左。A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3愚昧人的行径显出无知， 对众人说，他是愚昧人。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.
4掌权者的怒气若向你发作， 不要离开你的本位， 因为镇定能平息大过。If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5我见日光之下有一件祸患， 似乎出于统治者的错误，There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
6就是愚昧人立在高位； 有钱人却坐在低位。Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7我见仆人骑马， 王子像仆人在地上步行。I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8挖陷坑的，自己必陷在其中； 拆城墙的，自己必被蛇咬。He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9开凿石头的，会受损伤； 劈开木头的，必遭危险。Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10铁器钝了，若不将刃磨快，就必多费力气； 但智慧的益处在于使人成功。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.
11尚未行法术，蛇若咬人， 行法术的人就得不到什么好处了。Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
12智慧人的口说出恩言； 愚昧人的嘴吞灭自己，The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13他口中的话语起头是愚昧， 终局是邪恶的狂妄。The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14愚昧人多有话语。 人不知将来会发生什么事， 他身后的事谁能告诉他呢？A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15愚昧人的劳碌使自己困乏， 连进城的路他也不知道。The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16邦国啊，你的君王若年少， 你的群臣早晨宴乐， 你就有祸了！Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17邦国啊，你的君王若是贵族之子， 你的群臣按时吃喝， 是为强身，不为酒醉， 你就有福了！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!
18因人懒惰，房顶塌下； 因人手懒，房屋滴漏。By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
19摆设宴席是为欢乐。 酒能使人快活， 钱能叫万事应心。A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
20不可诅咒君王， 连起意也不可， 在卧室里也不可诅咒富人； 因为空中的飞鸟必传扬这声音， 有翅膀的必述说这事。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.
智慧人的作为
当将你的粮食撒在水面上， 因为日子久了，你必能得着它。Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2将你所拥有的分给七人，或八人， 因为你不知道会有什么灾祸临到地上。Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
3云若满了雨，就必倾倒在地上。 树向南倒，或向北倒， 树倒在何处，就留在何处。If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
4看风的，必不撒种； 望云的，必不收割。He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
5你不知道气息如何进入孕妇的骨头里☛“你不知道...骨头里”或译“风从何道来，骨头在孕妇的胎中如何长成，你尚且不得知道”。；照样，造万物之神的作为，你也无从得知。As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
6早晨要撒种，晚上也不要歇手，因为你不知道哪一样发旺；前者或后者，或两者都一样好。In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
7光是甜美的，眼见日光是多么好啊！Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
8人活多少年，就当快乐多少年，然而也当想到黑暗的日子；因为这样的日子必多，所要来临的全是虚空。对年轻人的忠告
But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
9年轻人哪，你在年少时当快乐；在年轻时使你的心欢畅，做你心所愿做的，看你眼所爱看的；却要知道，为这一切，神必审问你。Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
10所以，当从心中除掉愁烦，从肉体除去痛苦；因为年少和年轻之时，全是虚空。Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
你趁着年轻、衰老的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜悦的那些岁月来临之前，当记念造你的主。
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2不要等到太阳、光明、月亮、星宿变为黑暗，雨后云又返回；While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3看守房屋的发颤，强壮的屈身，推磨的妇女因人少而停工，从窗户往外看的眼光变为昏暗；In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
4街门关闭，推磨的声音微小，鸟一叫，就惊醒，唱歌女子的声音也都微弱；And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
5人怕高处，路上有惊慌；杏树开花，蚱蜢成为重担，欲望不再挑起；因为人归他永远的家，吊丧的在街上往来。Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6不要等到银链折断☛“折断”：原文另译“取下”。，金罐破裂，瓶子在泉旁损坏，水轮在井口断裂，Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7尘土仍归于地，像原来一样，气息仍归于赐气息的神。Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
8传道者说：“虚空的虚空，全是虚空。”结论
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
9再者，传道者因有智慧，将知识教导众人；他思量，考察，并列举出许多箴言。And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10传道者专心寻求可喜悦的言语，是凭正直写的诚实话。The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11智慧人的话语如同刺棒；这些嘉言好像钉稳的钉子，都是一个牧者所赐的。The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12我儿，还有一点，你当受劝戒：著书多，没有穷尽；读书多，身体疲倦。And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13这些事都已听见了，结论就是：敬畏神，谨守他的诫命，这是人当尽的本分。Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14因为人所做的事，连一切隐藏的事，无论是善是恶，神都必审问。For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.