米達想想(生活大小事)

傳道書 第一章

在耶路撒冷作王、大衛的兒子、傳道者的言語。
傳道者說：虛空的虛空，虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。
人一切的勞碌，就是他在日光之下的勞碌，有什麼益處呢？
一代過去，一代又來，地卻永遠長存。
日頭出來，日頭落下，急歸所出之地。
風往南颳，又向北轉，不住地旋轉，而且返回轉行原道。
江河都往海裡流，海卻不滿；江河從何處流，仍歸還何處。
萬事令人厭煩（或譯：萬物滿有困乏），人不能說盡。眼看，看不飽；耳聽，聽不足。
已有的事後必再有；已行的事後必再行。日光之下並無新事。
豈有一件事人能指著說這是新的？哪知，在我們以前的世代早已有了。
已過的世代，無人記念；將來的世代，後來的人也不記念。
我傳道者在耶路撒冷作過以色列的王。
我專心用智慧尋求、查究天下所做的一切事，乃知神叫世人所經練的是極重的勞苦。
我見日光之下所做的一切事，都是虛空，都是捕風。
彎曲的，不能變直；缺少的，不能足數。
我心裡議論說：我得了大智慧，勝過我以前在耶路撒冷的眾人，而且我心中多經歷智慧和知識的事。
我又專心察明智慧、狂妄，和愚昧，乃知這也是捕風。
因為多有智慧，就多有愁煩；加增知識的，就加增憂傷。

Ecclesiastes chapter 1

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
All is to no purpose, said the Preacher, all the ways of man are to no purpose.
What is a man profited by all his work which he does under the sun?
One generation goes and another comes; but the earth is for ever.
The sun comes up and the sun goes down, and goes quickly back to the place where he came up.
The wind goes to the south, turning back again to the north; circling round for ever.
All the rivers go down to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the rivers go, there they go again.
All things are full of weariness; man may not give their story: the eye has never enough of its seeing, or the ear of its hearing.
That which has been, is that which is to be, and that which has been done, is that which will be done, and there is no new thing under the sun.
Is there anything of which men say, See, this is new? It has been in the old time which was before us.
There is no memory of those who have gone before, and of those who come after there will be no memory for those who are still to come after them.
I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
And I gave my heart to searching out in wisdom all things which are done under heaven: it is a hard thing which God has put on the sons of men to do.
I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; all is to no purpose, and desire for wind.
That which is bent may not be made straight, and that which is not there may not be numbered.
I said to my heart, See, I have become great and am increased in wisdom more than any who were before me in Jerusalem--yes, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.
And I gave my heart to getting knowledge of wisdom, and of the ways of the foolish. And I saw that this again was desire for wind.
Because in much wisdom is much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow.

傳道書 第二章

我心裡說：來吧，我以喜樂試試你，你好享福！誰知，這也是虛空。
我指嬉笑說：這是狂妄。論喜樂說：有何功效呢？
我心裡察究，如何用酒使我肉體舒暢，我心卻仍以智慧引導我；又如何持住愚昧，等我看明世人，在天下一生當行何事為美。
我為自己動大工程，建造房屋，栽種葡萄園，
修造園囿，在其中栽種各樣果木樹；
挖造水池，用以澆灌嫩小的樹木。
我買了僕婢，也有生在家中的僕婢；又有許多牛群羊群，勝過以前在耶路撒冷眾人所有的。
我又為自己積蓄金銀和君王的財寶，並各省的財寶；又得唱歌的男女和世人所喜愛的物，並許多的妃嬪。
這樣，我就日見昌盛，勝過以前在耶路撒冷的眾人。我的智慧仍然存留。
凡我眼所求的，我沒有留下不給他的；我心所樂的，我沒有禁止不享受的；因我的心為我一切所勞碌的快樂，這就是我從勞碌中所得的分。
後來，我察看我手所經營的一切事和我勞碌所成的功。誰知都是虛空，都是捕風；在日光之下毫無益處。
我轉念觀看智慧、狂妄，和愚昧。在王以後而來的人還能做什麼呢？也不過行早先所行的就是了。
我便看出智慧勝過愚昧，如同光明勝過黑暗。
智慧人的眼目光明（光明原文是在他頭上），愚昧人在黑暗裡行。我卻看明有一件事，這兩等人都必遇見。
我就心裡說：愚昧人所遇見的，我也必遇見，我為何更有智慧呢？我心裡說，這也是虛空。
智慧人和愚昧人一樣，永遠無人記念，因為日後都被忘記；可歎智慧人死亡，與愚昧人無異。
我所以恨惡生命；因為在日光之下所行的事我都以為煩惱，都是虛空，都是捕風。
我恨惡一切的勞碌，就是我在日光之下的勞碌，因為我得來的必留給我以後的人。
那人是智慧是愚昧，誰能知道？他竟要管理我勞碌所得的，就是我在日光之下用智慧所得的。這也是虛空。
故此，我轉想我在日光之下所勞碌的一切工作，心便絕望。
因為有人用智慧、知識、靈巧所勞碌得來的，卻要留給未曾勞碌的人為分。這也是虛空，也是大患。
人在日光之下勞碌累心，在他一切的勞碌上得著什麼呢？
因為他日日憂慮，他的勞苦成為愁煩，連夜間心也不安。這也是虛空。
人莫強如吃喝，且在勞碌中享福，我看這也是出於神的手。
論到吃用、享福，誰能勝過我呢？
神喜悅誰，就給誰智慧、知識，和喜樂；惟有罪人，神使他勞苦，叫他將所收聚的、所堆積的歸給神所喜悅的人。這也是虛空，也是捕風。

Ecclesiastes chapter 2

I said in my heart, I will give you joy for a test; so take your pleasure--but it was to no purpose.
Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?
I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.
I undertook great works, building myself houses and planting vine-gardens.
I made myself gardens and fruit gardens, planting in them fruit-trees of all sorts.
I made pools to give water for the woods with their young trees.
I got men-servants and women-servants, and they gave birth to sons and daughters in my house. I had great wealth of herds and flocks, more than all who were in Jerusalem before me.
I got together silver and gold and the wealth of kings and of countries. I got makers of song, male and female; and the delights of the sons of men--girls of all sorts to be my brides.
And I became great; increasing more than all who had been before me in Jerusalem, and my wisdom was still with me.
And nothing which was desired by my eyes did I keep from them; I did not keep any joy from my heart, because my heart took pleasure in all my work, and this was my reward.
Then I saw all the works which my hands had made, and everything I had been working to do; and I saw that all was to no purpose and desire for wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
And I went again in search of wisdom and of foolish ways. What may the man do who comes after the king? The thing which he has done before.
Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways--as the light is better than the dark.
The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the foolish man goes walking in the dark; but still I saw that the same event comes to them all.
Then said I in my heart: As it comes to the foolish man, so will it come to me; so why have I been wise overmuch? Then I said in my heart: This again is to no purpose.
Of the wise man, as of the foolish man, there is no memory for ever, seeing that those who now are will have gone from memory in the days to come. See how death comes to the wise as to the foolish!
So I was hating life, because everything under the sun was evil to me: all is to no purpose and desire for wind.
Hate had I for all my work which I had done, because the man who comes after me will have its fruits.
And who is to say if that man will be wise or foolish? But he will have power over all my work which I have done and in which I have been wise under the sun. This again is to no purpose.
So my mind was turned to grief for all the trouble I had taken and all my wisdom under the sun.
Because there is a man whose work has been done with wisdom, with knowledge, and with an expert hand; but one who has done nothing for it will have it for his heritage. This again is to no purpose and a great evil.
What does a man get for all his work, and for the weight of care with which he has done his work under the sun?
All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.
There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God.
Who may take food or have pleasure without him?
To the man with whom he is pleased, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of getting goods together and storing up wealth, to give to him in whom God has pleasure. This again is to no purpose and desire for wind.

傳道書 第三章

凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。
生有時，死有時；栽種有時，拔出所栽種的也有時；
殺戮有時，醫治有時；拆毀有時，建造有時；
哭有時，笑有時；哀慟有時，跳舞有時；
拋擲石頭有時，堆聚石頭有時；懷抱有時，不懷抱有時；
尋找有時，失落有時；保守有時，捨棄有時；
撕裂有時，縫補有時；靜默有時，言語有時；
喜愛有時，恨惡有時；爭戰有時，和好有時。
這樣看來，做事的人在他的勞碌上有什麼益處呢？
我見神叫世人勞苦，使他們在其中受經練。
神造萬物，各按其時成為美好，又將永生（原文是永遠）安置在世人心裡。然而神從始至終的作為，人不能參透。
我知道世人，莫強如終身喜樂行善；
並且人人吃喝，在他一切勞碌中享福，這也是神的恩賜。
我知道神一切所做的都必永存；無所增添，無所減少。神這樣行，是要人在他面前存敬畏的心。
現今的事早先就有了，將來的事早已也有了，並且神使已過的事重新再來（或譯：並且神再尋回已過的事）。
我又見日光之下，在審判之處有奸惡，在公義之處也有奸惡。
我心裡說，神必審判義人和惡人；因為在那裡，各樣事務，一切工作，都有定時。
我心裡說，這乃為世人的緣故，是神要試驗他們，使他們覺得自己不過像獸一樣。
因為世人遭遇的，獸也遭遇，所遭遇的都是一樣：這個怎樣死，那個也怎樣死，氣息都是一樣。人不能強於獸，都是虛空。
都歸一處，都是出於塵土，也都歸於塵土。
誰知道人的靈是往上升，獸的魂是下入地呢？
故此，我見人莫強如在他經營的事上喜樂，因為這是他的分。他身後的事誰能使他回來得見呢？

Ecclesiastes chapter 3

For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun.
A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;
A time to put to death and a time to make well; a time for pulling down and a time for building up;
A time for weeping and a time for laughing; a time for sorrow and a time for dancing;
A time to take stones away and a time to get stones together; a time for kissing and a time to keep from kissing;
A time for search and a time for loss; a time to keep and a time to give away;
A time for undoing and a time for stitching; a time for keeping quiet and a time for talk;
A time for love and a time for hate; a time for war and a time for peace.
What profit has the worker in the work which he does?
I saw the work which God has put on the sons of man.
He has made everything right in its time; but he has made their hearts without knowledge, so that man is unable to see the works of God, from the first to the last.
I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.
And for every man to take food and drink, and have joy in all his work, is a reward from God.
I am certain that whatever God does will be for ever. No addition may be made to it, nothing may be taken from it; and God has done it so that man may be in fear before him.
Whatever is has been before, and what is to be is now; because God makes search for the things which are past.
And again, I saw under the sun, in the place of the judges, that evil was there; and in the place of righteousness, that evil was there.
I said in my heart, God will be judge of the good and of the bad; because a time for every purpose and for every work has been fixed by him.
I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, so that God may put them to the test and that they may see themselves as beasts.
Because the fate of the sons of men and the fate of the beasts is the same. As is the death of one so is the death of the other, and all have one spirit. Man is not higher than the beasts; because all is to no purpose.
All go to one place, all are of the dust, and all will be turned to dust again.
Who is certain that the spirit of the sons of men goes up to heaven, or that the spirit of the beasts goes down to the earth?
So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?

傳道書 第四章

我又轉念，見日光之下所行的一切欺壓。看哪，受欺壓的流淚，且無人安慰；欺壓他們的有勢力，也無人安慰他們。
因此，我讚歎那早已死的死人，勝過那還活著的活人。
並且我以為那未曾生的，就是未見過日光之下惡事的，比這兩等人更強。
我又見人為一切的勞碌和各樣靈巧的工作就被鄰舍嫉妒。這也是虛空，也是捕風。
愚昧人抱著手，吃自己的肉。
滿了一把，得享安靜，強如滿了兩把，勞碌捕風。
我又轉念，見日光之下有一件虛空的事：
有人孤單無二，無子無兄，竟勞碌不息，眼目也不以錢財為足。他說：我勞勞碌碌，刻苦自己，不享福樂，到底是為誰呢？這也是虛空，是極重的勞苦。
兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效。
若是跌倒，這人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，沒有別人扶起他來，這人就有禍了。
再者，二人同睡就都暖和，一人獨睡怎能暖和呢？
有人攻勝孤身一人，若有二人便能敵擋他；三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。
貧窮而有智慧的少年人勝過年老不肯納諫的愚昧王。
這人是從監牢中出來作王，在他國中，生來原是貧窮的。
我見日光之下一切行動的活人都隨從那第二位，就是起來代替老王的少年人。
他所治理的眾人就是他的百姓，多得無數；在他後來的人尚且不喜悅他。這真是虛空，也是捕風。

Ecclesiastes chapter 4

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.
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
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.
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.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
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.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
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.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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.

傳道書 第五章

你到神的殿要謹慎腳步；因為近前聽，勝過愚昧人獻祭（或譯：勝過獻愚昧人的祭），他們本不知道所做的是惡。
你在神面前不可冒失開口，也不可心急發言；因為神在天上，你在地下，所以你的言語要寡少。
事務多，就令人做夢；言語多，就顯出愚昧。
你向神許願，償還不可遲延，因他不喜悅愚昧人，所以你許的願應當償還。
你許願不還，不如不許。
不可任你的口使肉體犯罪，也不可在祭司（原文是使者）面前說是錯許了。為何使神因你的聲音發怒，敗壞你手所做的呢？
多夢和多言，其中多有虛幻，你只要敬畏神。
你若在一省之中見窮人受欺壓，並奪去公義公平的事，不要因此詫異；因有一位高過居高位的鑒察，在他們以上還有更高的。
況且地的益處歸眾人，就是君王也受田地的供應。
貪愛銀子的，不因得銀子知足；貪愛豐富的，也不因得利益知足。這也是虛空。
貨物增添，吃的人也增添，物主得什麼益處呢？不過眼看而已！
勞碌的人不拘吃多吃少，睡得香甜；富足人的豐滿卻不容他睡覺。
我見日光之下有一宗大禍患，就是財主積存資財，反害自己。
因遭遇禍患，這些資財就消滅；那人若生了兒子，手裡也一無所有。
他怎樣從母胎赤身而來，也必照樣赤身而去；他所勞碌得來的，手中分毫不能帶去。
他來的情形怎樣，他去的情形也怎樣。這也是一宗大禍患。他為風勞碌有什麼益處呢？
並且他終身在黑暗中吃喝，多有煩惱，又有病患嘔氣。
我所見為善為美的，就是人在神賜他一生的日子吃喝，享受日光之下勞碌得來的好處，因為這是他的分。
神賜人資財豐富，使他能以吃用，能取自己的分，在他勞碌中喜樂，這乃是神的恩賜。
他不多思念自己一生的年日，因為神應他的心使他喜樂。

Ecclesiastes chapter 5

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.
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.
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
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.
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
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?
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
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.
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
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?
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.
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
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.
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?
All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
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.
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.
For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

傳道書 第六章

我見日光之下有一宗禍患重壓在人身上，
就是人蒙神賜他資財、豐富、尊榮，以致他心裡所願的一樣都不缺，只是神使他不能吃用，反有外人來吃用。這是虛空，也是禍患。
人若生一百個兒子，活許多歲數，以致他的年日甚多，心裡卻不得滿享福樂，又不得埋葬；據我說，那不到期而落的胎比他倒好。
因為虛虛而來，暗暗而去，名字被黑暗遮蔽，
並且沒有見過天日，也毫無知覺；這胎，比那人倒享安息。
那人雖然活千年，再活千年，卻不享福，眾人豈不都歸一個地方去嗎？
人的勞碌都為口腹，心裡卻不知足。
這樣看來，智慧人比愚昧人有什麼長處呢？窮人在眾人面前知道如何行，有什麼長處呢？
眼睛所看的比心裡妄想的倒好。這也是虛空，也是捕風。
先前所有的，早已起了名，並知道何為人，他也不能與那比自己力大的相爭。
加增虛浮的事既多，這於人有什麼益處呢？
人一生虛度的日子，就如影兒經過，誰知道什麼於他有益呢？誰能告訴他身後在日光之下有什麼事呢？

Ecclesiastes chapter 6

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
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.
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.
For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
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.
Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
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?

傳道書 第七章

名譽強如美好的膏油；人死的日子勝過人生的日子。
往遭喪的家去，強如往宴樂的家去；因為死是眾人的結局，活人也必將這事放在心上。
憂愁強如喜笑；因為面帶愁容，終必使心喜樂。
智慧人的心在遭喪之家；愚昧人的心在快樂之家。
聽智慧人的責備，強如聽愚昧人的歌唱。
愚昧人的笑聲，好像鍋下燒荊棘的爆聲；這也是虛空。
勒索使智慧人變為愚妄；賄賂能敗壞人的慧心。
事情的終局強如事情的起頭；存心忍耐的，勝過居心驕傲的。
你不要心裡急躁惱怒，因為惱怒存在愚昧人的懷中。
不要說：先前的日子強過如今的日子，是什麼緣故呢？你這樣問，不是出於智慧。
智慧和產業並好，而且見天日的人得智慧更為有益。
因為智慧護庇人，好像銀錢護庇人一樣。惟獨智慧能保全智慧人的生命。這就是知識的益處。
你要察看神的作為；因神使為曲的，誰能變為直呢？
遇亨通的日子你當喜樂；遭患難的日子你當思想；因為神使這兩樣並列，為的是叫人查不出身後有什麼事。
有義人行義，反致滅亡；有惡人行惡，倒享長壽。這都是我在虛度之日中所見過的。
不要行義過分，也不要過於自逞智慧，何必自取敗亡呢？
不要行惡過分，也不要為人愚昧，何必不到期而死呢？
你持守這個為美，那個也不要鬆手；因為敬畏神的人，必從這兩樣出來。
智慧使有智慧的人比城中十個官長更有能力。
時常行善而不犯罪的義人，世上實在沒有。
人所說的一切話，你不要放在心上，恐怕聽見你的僕人咒詛你。
因為你心裡知道，自己也曾屢次咒詛別人。
我曾用智慧試驗這一切事；我說，要得智慧，智慧卻離我遠。
萬事之理，離我甚遠，而且最深，誰能測透呢？
我轉念，一心要知道，要考察，要尋求智慧和萬事的理由；又要知道邪惡為愚昧，愚昧為狂妄。
我得知有等婦人比死還苦：他的心是網羅，手是鎖鍊。凡蒙神喜悅的人必能躲避他；有罪的人卻被他纏住了。
傳道者說：看哪，一千男子中，我找到一個正直人，但眾女子中，沒有找到一個。我將這事一一比較，要尋求其理，我心仍要尋找，卻未曾找到。
併於上節。
我所找到的只有一件，就是神造人原是正直，但他們尋出許多巧計。

Ecclesiastes chapter 7

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
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.
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
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.
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
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.
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.
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
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.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
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:
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.
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
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.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

傳道書 第八章

誰如智慧人呢？誰知道事情的解釋呢？人的智慧使他的臉發光，並使他臉上的暴氣改變。
我勸你遵守王的命令；既指神起誓，理當如此。
不要急躁離開王的面前，不要固執行惡，因為他凡事都隨自己的心意而行。
王的話本有權力，誰敢問他說你做什麼呢？
凡遵守命令的，必不經歷禍患；智慧人的心能辨明時候和定理（原文是審判；下節同）。
各樣事務成就都有時候和定理，因為人的苦難重壓在他身上。
他不知道將來的事，因為將來如何，誰能告訴他呢？
無人有權力掌管生命，將生命留住；也無人有權力掌管死期；這場爭戰，無人能免；邪惡也不能救那好行邪惡的人。
這一切我都見過，也專心查考日光之下所做的一切事。有時這人管轄那人，令人受害。
我見惡人埋葬，歸入墳墓；又見行正直事的離開聖地，在城中被人忘記。這也是虛空。
因為斷定罪名不立刻施刑，所以世人滿心作惡。
罪人雖然作惡百次，倒享長久的年日；然而我準知道，敬畏神的，就是在他面前敬畏的人，終久必得福樂。
惡人卻不得福樂，也不得長久的年日；這年日好像影兒，因他不敬畏神。
世上有一件虛空的事，就是義人所遭遇的，反照惡人所行的；又有惡人所遭遇的，反照義人所行的。我說，這也是虛空。
我就稱讚快樂，原來人在日光之下，莫強如吃喝快樂；因為他在日光之下，神賜他一生的年日，要從勞碌中，時常享受所得的。
我專心求智慧，要看世上所做的事。（有晝夜不睡覺不合眼的。）
我就看明神一切的作為，知道人查不出日光之下所做的事；任憑他費多少力尋查，都查不出來，就是智慧人雖想知道，也是查不出來。

Ecclesiastes chapter 8

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.
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:)
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.

傳道書 第九章

我將這一切事放在心上，詳細考究，就知道義人和智慧人，並他們的作為都在神手中；或是愛，或是恨，都在他們的前面，人不能知道。
凡臨到眾人的事都是一樣：義人和惡人都遭遇一樣的事；好人，潔淨人和不潔淨人，獻祭的與不獻祭的，也是一樣。好人如何，罪人也如何；起誓的如何，怕起誓的也如何。
在日光之下所行的一切事上有一件禍患，就是眾人所遭遇的都是一樣，並且世人的心充滿了惡；活著的時候心裡狂妄，後來就歸死人那裡去了。
與一切活人相連的，那人還有指望，因為活著的狗比死了的獅子更強。
活著的人知道必死；死了的人毫無所知，也不再得賞賜；他們的名無人記念。
他們的愛，他們的恨，他們的嫉妒，早都消滅了。在日光之下所行的一切事上，他們永不再有分了。
你只管去歡歡喜喜吃你的飯，心中快樂喝你的酒，因為神已經悅納你的作為。
你的衣服當時常潔白，你頭上也不要缺少膏油。
在你一生虛空的年日，就是神賜你在日光之下虛空的年日，當同你所愛的妻，快活度日，因為那是你生前在日光之下勞碌的事上所得的分。
凡你手所當做的事要盡力去做；因為在你所必去的陰間沒有工作，沒有謀算，沒有知識，也沒有智慧。
我又轉念：見日光之下，快跑的未必能贏；力戰的未必得勝；智慧的未必得糧食；明哲的未必得資財；靈巧的未必得喜悅。所臨到眾人的是在乎當時的機會。
原來人也不知道自己的定期。魚被惡網圈住，鳥被網羅捉住，禍患忽然臨到的時候，世人陷在其中也是如此。
我見日光之下有一樣智慧，據我看乃是廣大，
就是有一小城，其中的人數稀少，有大君王來攻擊，修築營壘，將城圍困。
城中有一個貧窮的智慧人，他用智慧救了那城，卻沒有人記念那窮人。
我就說，智慧勝過勇力；然而那貧窮人的智慧被人藐視，他的話也無人聽從。
寧可在安靜之中聽智慧人的言語，不聽掌管愚昧人的喊聲。
智慧勝過打仗的兵器；但一個罪人能敗壞許多善事。

Ecclesiastes chapter 9

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.
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.
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.
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
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.
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.
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
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:
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.
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

傳道書 第十章

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。
智慧人的心居右；愚昧人的心居左。
並且愚昧人行路顯出無知，對眾人說，他是愚昧人。
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。
我見日光之下有一件禍患，似乎出於掌權的錯誤，
就是愚昧人立在高位；富足人坐在低位。
我見過僕人騎馬，王子像僕人在地上步行。
挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中；拆牆垣的，必為蛇所咬。
鑿開（或譯：挪移）石頭的，必受損傷；劈開木頭的，必遭危險。
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。
未行法術以先，蛇若咬人，後行法術也是無益。
智慧人的口說出恩言；愚昧人的嘴吞滅自己。
他口中的言語起頭是愚昧；他話的末尾是奸惡的狂妄。
愚昧人多有言語，人卻不知將來有什麼事；他身後的事誰能告訴他呢？
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。
邦國啊，你的王若是孩童，你的群臣早晨宴樂，你就有禍了！
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！
因人懶惰，房頂塌下；因人手懶，房屋滴漏。
設擺筵席是為喜笑。酒能使人快活；錢能叫萬事應心。
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。

Ecclesiastes chapter 10

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.
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
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.
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
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.
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
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!
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
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.

傳道書 第十一章

當將你的糧食撒在水面，因為日久必能得著。
你要分給七人，或分給八人，因為你不知道將來有什麼災禍臨到地上。
雲若滿了雨，就必傾倒在地上。樹若向南倒，或向北倒，樹倒在何處，就存在何處。
看風的，必不撒種；望雲的，必不收割。
風從何道來，骨頭在懷孕婦人的胎中如何長成，你尚且不得知道；這樣，行萬事之神的作為，你更不得知道。
早晨要撒你的種，晚上也不要歇你的手，因為你不知道哪一樣發旺；或是早撒的，或是晚撒的，或是兩樣都好。
光本是佳美的，眼見日光也是可悅的。
人活多年，就當快樂多年；然而也當想到黑暗的日子。因為這日子必多，所要來的都是虛空。
少年人哪，你在幼年時當快樂。在幼年的日子，使你的心歡暢，行你心所願行的，看你眼所愛看的；卻要知道，為這一切的事，神必審問你。
所以，你當從心中除掉愁煩，從肉體克去邪惡；因為一生的開端和幼年之時，都是虛空的。

Ecclesiastes chapter 11

Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.
Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.
If the clouds are full of rain, they send it down on the earth; and if a tree comes down to the south, or the north, in whatever place it comes down, there it will be.
He who is watching the wind will not get the seed planted, and he who is looking at the clouds will not get in the grain.
As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.
In the morning put your seed into the earth, and till the evening let not your hand be at rest; because you are not certain which will do well, this or that--or if the two will be equally good.
Truly the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.
Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.
So put away trouble from your heart, and sorrow from your flesh; because the early years and the best years are to no purpose.

傳道書 第十二章

你趁著年幼、衰敗的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，我毫無喜樂的那些年日未曾臨近之先，當記念造你的主。
不要等到日頭、光明、月亮、星宿變為黑暗，雨後雲彩反回，
看守房屋的發顫，有力的屈身，推磨的稀少就止息，從窗戶往外看的都昏暗；
街門關閉，推磨的響聲微小，雀鳥一叫，人就起來，唱歌的女子也都衰微。
人怕高處，路上有驚慌，杏樹開花，蚱蜢成為重擔，人所願的也都廢掉；因為人歸他永遠的家，弔喪的在街上往來。
銀鍊折斷，金罐破裂，瓶子在泉旁損壞，水輪在井口破爛，
塵土仍歸於地，靈仍歸於賜靈的神。
傳道者說：虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。
再者，傳道者因有智慧，仍將知識教訓眾人；又默想，又考查，又陳說許多箴言。
傳道者專心尋求可喜悅的言語，是憑正直寫的誠實話。
智慧人的言語好像刺棍；會中之師的言語又像釘穩的釘子，都是一個牧者所賜的。
我兒，還有一層，你當受勸戒：著書多，沒有窮盡；讀書多，身體疲倦。
這些事都已聽見了，總意就是：敬畏神，謹守他的誡命，這是人所當盡的本分（或譯：這是眾人的本分）。
因為人所做的事，連一切隱藏的事，無論是善是惡，神都必審問。

Ecclesiastes chapter 12

Let your mind be turned to your Maker in the days of your strength, while the evil days come not, and the years are far away when you will say, I have no pleasure in them;
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not dark, and the clouds come not back after the rain;
In the day when the keepers of the house are shaking for fear, and the strong men are bent down, and the women who were crushing the grain are at rest because their number is small, and those looking out of the windows are unable to see;
When the doors are shut in the street, and the sound of the crushing is low, and the voice of the bird is soft, and the daughters of music will be made low;
And he is in fear of that which is high, and danger is in the road, and the tree is white with flower, and the least thing is a weight, and desire is at an end, because man goes to his last resting-place, and those who are sorrowing are in the streets;
Before ever the silver cord is cut, or the vessel of gold is broken, or the pot is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the water-hole;
And the dust goes back to the earth as it was, and the spirit goes back to God who gave it.
All things are to no purpose, says the Preacher, all is to no purpose.
And because the Preacher was wise he still gave the people knowledge; searching out, testing, and putting in order a great number of wise sayings.
The Preacher made search for words which were pleasing, but his writing was in words upright and true.
The words of the wise are pointed, and sayings grouped together are like nails fixed with a hammer; they are given by one guide.
And further, my son, take note of this: of the making of books there is no end, and much learning is a weariness to the flesh.
This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man.
God will be judge of every work, with every secret thing, good or evil.

傳道書 第一章

在耶路撒冷作王、大衛的兒子、傳道者的言語。
傳道者說：虛空的虛空，虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。
人一切的勞碌，就是他在日光之下的勞碌，有什麼益處呢？
一代過去，一代又來，地卻永遠長存。
日頭出來，日頭落下，急歸所出之地。
風往南颳，又向北轉，不住地旋轉，而且返回轉行原道。
江河都往海裡流，海卻不滿；江河從何處流，仍歸還何處。
萬事令人厭煩（或譯：萬物滿有困乏），人不能說盡。眼看，看不飽；耳聽，聽不足。
已有的事後必再有；已行的事後必再行。日光之下並無新事。
豈有一件事人能指著說這是新的？哪知，在我們以前的世代早已有了。
已過的世代，無人記念；將來的世代，後來的人也不記念。
我傳道者在耶路撒冷作過以色列的王。
我專心用智慧尋求、查究天下所做的一切事，乃知神叫世人所經練的是極重的勞苦。
我見日光之下所做的一切事，都是虛空，都是捕風。
彎曲的，不能變直；缺少的，不能足數。
我心裡議論說：我得了大智慧，勝過我以前在耶路撒冷的眾人，而且我心中多經歷智慧和知識的事。
我又專心察明智慧、狂妄，和愚昧，乃知這也是捕風。
因為多有智慧，就多有愁煩；加增知識的，就加增憂傷。

Ecclesiastes chapter 1

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
All is to no purpose, said the Preacher, all the ways of man are to no purpose.
What is a man profited by all his work which he does under the sun?
One generation goes and another comes; but the earth is for ever.
The sun comes up and the sun goes down, and goes quickly back to the place where he came up.
The wind goes to the south, turning back again to the north; circling round for ever.
All the rivers go down to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the rivers go, there they go again.
All things are full of weariness; man may not give their story: the eye has never enough of its seeing, or the ear of its hearing.
That which has been, is that which is to be, and that which has been done, is that which will be done, and there is no new thing under the sun.
Is there anything of which men say, See, this is new? It has been in the old time which was before us.
There is no memory of those who have gone before, and of those who come after there will be no memory for those who are still to come after them.
I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
And I gave my heart to searching out in wisdom all things which are done under heaven: it is a hard thing which God has put on the sons of men to do.
I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; all is to no purpose, and desire for wind.
That which is bent may not be made straight, and that which is not there may not be numbered.
I said to my heart, See, I have become great and am increased in wisdom more than any who were before me in Jerusalem--yes, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.
And I gave my heart to getting knowledge of wisdom, and of the ways of the foolish. And I saw that this again was desire for wind.
Because in much wisdom is much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow.

傳道書 第二章

我心裡說：來吧，我以喜樂試試你，你好享福！誰知，這也是虛空。
我指嬉笑說：這是狂妄。論喜樂說：有何功效呢？
我心裡察究，如何用酒使我肉體舒暢，我心卻仍以智慧引導我；又如何持住愚昧，等我看明世人，在天下一生當行何事為美。
我為自己動大工程，建造房屋，栽種葡萄園，
修造園囿，在其中栽種各樣果木樹；
挖造水池，用以澆灌嫩小的樹木。
我買了僕婢，也有生在家中的僕婢；又有許多牛群羊群，勝過以前在耶路撒冷眾人所有的。
我又為自己積蓄金銀和君王的財寶，並各省的財寶；又得唱歌的男女和世人所喜愛的物，並許多的妃嬪。
這樣，我就日見昌盛，勝過以前在耶路撒冷的眾人。我的智慧仍然存留。
凡我眼所求的，我沒有留下不給他的；我心所樂的，我沒有禁止不享受的；因我的心為我一切所勞碌的快樂，這就是我從勞碌中所得的分。
後來，我察看我手所經營的一切事和我勞碌所成的功。誰知都是虛空，都是捕風；在日光之下毫無益處。
我轉念觀看智慧、狂妄，和愚昧。在王以後而來的人還能做什麼呢？也不過行早先所行的就是了。
我便看出智慧勝過愚昧，如同光明勝過黑暗。
智慧人的眼目光明（光明原文是在他頭上），愚昧人在黑暗裡行。我卻看明有一件事，這兩等人都必遇見。
我就心裡說：愚昧人所遇見的，我也必遇見，我為何更有智慧呢？我心裡說，這也是虛空。
智慧人和愚昧人一樣，永遠無人記念，因為日後都被忘記；可歎智慧人死亡，與愚昧人無異。
我所以恨惡生命；因為在日光之下所行的事我都以為煩惱，都是虛空，都是捕風。
我恨惡一切的勞碌，就是我在日光之下的勞碌，因為我得來的必留給我以後的人。
那人是智慧是愚昧，誰能知道？他竟要管理我勞碌所得的，就是我在日光之下用智慧所得的。這也是虛空。
故此，我轉想我在日光之下所勞碌的一切工作，心便絕望。
因為有人用智慧、知識、靈巧所勞碌得來的，卻要留給未曾勞碌的人為分。這也是虛空，也是大患。
人在日光之下勞碌累心，在他一切的勞碌上得著什麼呢？
因為他日日憂慮，他的勞苦成為愁煩，連夜間心也不安。這也是虛空。
人莫強如吃喝，且在勞碌中享福，我看這也是出於神的手。
論到吃用、享福，誰能勝過我呢？
神喜悅誰，就給誰智慧、知識，和喜樂；惟有罪人，神使他勞苦，叫他將所收聚的、所堆積的歸給神所喜悅的人。這也是虛空，也是捕風。

Ecclesiastes chapter 2

I said in my heart, I will give you joy for a test; so take your pleasure--but it was to no purpose.
Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy--What use is it?
I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.
I undertook great works, building myself houses and planting vine-gardens.
I made myself gardens and fruit gardens, planting in them fruit-trees of all sorts.
I made pools to give water for the woods with their young trees.
I got men-servants and women-servants, and they gave birth to sons and daughters in my house. I had great wealth of herds and flocks, more than all who were in Jerusalem before me.
I got together silver and gold and the wealth of kings and of countries. I got makers of song, male and female; and the delights of the sons of men--girls of all sorts to be my brides.
And I became great; increasing more than all who had been before me in Jerusalem, and my wisdom was still with me.
And nothing which was desired by my eyes did I keep from them; I did not keep any joy from my heart, because my heart took pleasure in all my work, and this was my reward.
Then I saw all the works which my hands had made, and everything I had been working to do; and I saw that all was to no purpose and desire for wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
And I went again in search of wisdom and of foolish ways. What may the man do who comes after the king? The thing which he has done before.
Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways--as the light is better than the dark.
The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the foolish man goes walking in the dark; but still I saw that the same event comes to them all.
Then said I in my heart: As it comes to the foolish man, so will it come to me; so why have I been wise overmuch? Then I said in my heart: This again is to no purpose.
Of the wise man, as of the foolish man, there is no memory for ever, seeing that those who now are will have gone from memory in the days to come. See how death comes to the wise as to the foolish!
So I was hating life, because everything under the sun was evil to me: all is to no purpose and desire for wind.
Hate had I for all my work which I had done, because the man who comes after me will have its fruits.
And who is to say if that man will be wise or foolish? But he will have power over all my work which I have done and in which I have been wise under the sun. This again is to no purpose.
So my mind was turned to grief for all the trouble I had taken and all my wisdom under the sun.
Because there is a man whose work has been done with wisdom, with knowledge, and with an expert hand; but one who has done nothing for it will have it for his heritage. This again is to no purpose and a great evil.
What does a man get for all his work, and for the weight of care with which he has done his work under the sun?
All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.
There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God.
Who may take food or have pleasure without him?
To the man with whom he is pleased, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of getting goods together and storing up wealth, to give to him in whom God has pleasure. This again is to no purpose and desire for wind.

傳道書 第三章

凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。
生有時，死有時；栽種有時，拔出所栽種的也有時；
殺戮有時，醫治有時；拆毀有時，建造有時；
哭有時，笑有時；哀慟有時，跳舞有時；
拋擲石頭有時，堆聚石頭有時；懷抱有時，不懷抱有時；
尋找有時，失落有時；保守有時，捨棄有時；
撕裂有時，縫補有時；靜默有時，言語有時；
喜愛有時，恨惡有時；爭戰有時，和好有時。
這樣看來，做事的人在他的勞碌上有什麼益處呢？
我見神叫世人勞苦，使他們在其中受經練。
神造萬物，各按其時成為美好，又將永生（原文是永遠）安置在世人心裡。然而神從始至終的作為，人不能參透。
我知道世人，莫強如終身喜樂行善；
並且人人吃喝，在他一切勞碌中享福，這也是神的恩賜。
我知道神一切所做的都必永存；無所增添，無所減少。神這樣行，是要人在他面前存敬畏的心。
現今的事早先就有了，將來的事早已也有了，並且神使已過的事重新再來（或譯：並且神再尋回已過的事）。
我又見日光之下，在審判之處有奸惡，在公義之處也有奸惡。
我心裡說，神必審判義人和惡人；因為在那裡，各樣事務，一切工作，都有定時。
我心裡說，這乃為世人的緣故，是神要試驗他們，使他們覺得自己不過像獸一樣。
因為世人遭遇的，獸也遭遇，所遭遇的都是一樣：這個怎樣死，那個也怎樣死，氣息都是一樣。人不能強於獸，都是虛空。
都歸一處，都是出於塵土，也都歸於塵土。
誰知道人的靈是往上升，獸的魂是下入地呢？
故此，我見人莫強如在他經營的事上喜樂，因為這是他的分。他身後的事誰能使他回來得見呢？

Ecclesiastes chapter 3

For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun.
A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;
A time to put to death and a time to make well; a time for pulling down and a time for building up;
A time for weeping and a time for laughing; a time for sorrow and a time for dancing;
A time to take stones away and a time to get stones together; a time for kissing and a time to keep from kissing;
A time for search and a time for loss; a time to keep and a time to give away;
A time for undoing and a time for stitching; a time for keeping quiet and a time for talk;
A time for love and a time for hate; a time for war and a time for peace.
What profit has the worker in the work which he does?
I saw the work which God has put on the sons of man.
He has made everything right in its time; but he has made their hearts without knowledge, so that man is unable to see the works of God, from the first to the last.
I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.
And for every man to take food and drink, and have joy in all his work, is a reward from God.
I am certain that whatever God does will be for ever. No addition may be made to it, nothing may be taken from it; and God has done it so that man may be in fear before him.
Whatever is has been before, and what is to be is now; because God makes search for the things which are past.
And again, I saw under the sun, in the place of the judges, that evil was there; and in the place of righteousness, that evil was there.
I said in my heart, God will be judge of the good and of the bad; because a time for every purpose and for every work has been fixed by him.
I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, so that God may put them to the test and that they may see themselves as beasts.
Because the fate of the sons of men and the fate of the beasts is the same. As is the death of one so is the death of the other, and all have one spirit. Man is not higher than the beasts; because all is to no purpose.
All go to one place, all are of the dust, and all will be turned to dust again.
Who is certain that the spirit of the sons of men goes up to heaven, or that the spirit of the beasts goes down to the earth?
So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?

傳道書 第四章

我又轉念，見日光之下所行的一切欺壓。看哪，受欺壓的流淚，且無人安慰；欺壓他們的有勢力，也無人安慰他們。
因此，我讚歎那早已死的死人，勝過那還活著的活人。
並且我以為那未曾生的，就是未見過日光之下惡事的，比這兩等人更強。
我又見人為一切的勞碌和各樣靈巧的工作就被鄰舍嫉妒。這也是虛空，也是捕風。
愚昧人抱著手，吃自己的肉。
滿了一把，得享安靜，強如滿了兩把，勞碌捕風。
我又轉念，見日光之下有一件虛空的事：
有人孤單無二，無子無兄，竟勞碌不息，眼目也不以錢財為足。他說：我勞勞碌碌，刻苦自己，不享福樂，到底是為誰呢？這也是虛空，是極重的勞苦。
兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效。
若是跌倒，這人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，沒有別人扶起他來，這人就有禍了。
再者，二人同睡就都暖和，一人獨睡怎能暖和呢？
有人攻勝孤身一人，若有二人便能敵擋他；三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。
貧窮而有智慧的少年人勝過年老不肯納諫的愚昧王。
這人是從監牢中出來作王，在他國中，生來原是貧窮的。
我見日光之下一切行動的活人都隨從那第二位，就是起來代替老王的少年人。
他所治理的眾人就是他的百姓，多得無數；在他後來的人尚且不喜悅他。這真是虛空，也是捕風。

Ecclesiastes chapter 4

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.
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
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.
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.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
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.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
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.
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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.

傳道書 第五章

你到神的殿要謹慎腳步；因為近前聽，勝過愚昧人獻祭（或譯：勝過獻愚昧人的祭），他們本不知道所做的是惡。
你在神面前不可冒失開口，也不可心急發言；因為神在天上，你在地下，所以你的言語要寡少。
事務多，就令人做夢；言語多，就顯出愚昧。
你向神許願，償還不可遲延，因他不喜悅愚昧人，所以你許的願應當償還。
你許願不還，不如不許。
不可任你的口使肉體犯罪，也不可在祭司（原文是使者）面前說是錯許了。為何使神因你的聲音發怒，敗壞你手所做的呢？
多夢和多言，其中多有虛幻，你只要敬畏神。
你若在一省之中見窮人受欺壓，並奪去公義公平的事，不要因此詫異；因有一位高過居高位的鑒察，在他們以上還有更高的。
況且地的益處歸眾人，就是君王也受田地的供應。
貪愛銀子的，不因得銀子知足；貪愛豐富的，也不因得利益知足。這也是虛空。
貨物增添，吃的人也增添，物主得什麼益處呢？不過眼看而已！
勞碌的人不拘吃多吃少，睡得香甜；富足人的豐滿卻不容他睡覺。
我見日光之下有一宗大禍患，就是財主積存資財，反害自己。
因遭遇禍患，這些資財就消滅；那人若生了兒子，手裡也一無所有。
他怎樣從母胎赤身而來，也必照樣赤身而去；他所勞碌得來的，手中分毫不能帶去。
他來的情形怎樣，他去的情形也怎樣。這也是一宗大禍患。他為風勞碌有什麼益處呢？
並且他終身在黑暗中吃喝，多有煩惱，又有病患嘔氣。
我所見為善為美的，就是人在神賜他一生的日子吃喝，享受日光之下勞碌得來的好處，因為這是他的分。
神賜人資財豐富，使他能以吃用，能取自己的分，在他勞碌中喜樂，這乃是神的恩賜。
他不多思念自己一生的年日，因為神應他的心使他喜樂。

Ecclesiastes chapter 5

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.
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.
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
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.
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
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?
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
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.
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
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?
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.
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
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.
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?
All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
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.
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.
For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

傳道書 第六章

我見日光之下有一宗禍患重壓在人身上，
就是人蒙神賜他資財、豐富、尊榮，以致他心裡所願的一樣都不缺，只是神使他不能吃用，反有外人來吃用。這是虛空，也是禍患。
人若生一百個兒子，活許多歲數，以致他的年日甚多，心裡卻不得滿享福樂，又不得埋葬；據我說，那不到期而落的胎比他倒好。
因為虛虛而來，暗暗而去，名字被黑暗遮蔽，
並且沒有見過天日，也毫無知覺；這胎，比那人倒享安息。
那人雖然活千年，再活千年，卻不享福，眾人豈不都歸一個地方去嗎？
人的勞碌都為口腹，心裡卻不知足。
這樣看來，智慧人比愚昧人有什麼長處呢？窮人在眾人面前知道如何行，有什麼長處呢？
眼睛所看的比心裡妄想的倒好。這也是虛空，也是捕風。
先前所有的，早已起了名，並知道何為人，他也不能與那比自己力大的相爭。
加增虛浮的事既多，這於人有什麼益處呢？
人一生虛度的日子，就如影兒經過，誰知道什麼於他有益呢？誰能告訴他身後在日光之下有什麼事呢？

Ecclesiastes chapter 6

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
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.
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.
For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
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.
Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
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?

傳道書 第七章

名譽強如美好的膏油；人死的日子勝過人生的日子。
往遭喪的家去，強如往宴樂的家去；因為死是眾人的結局，活人也必將這事放在心上。
憂愁強如喜笑；因為面帶愁容，終必使心喜樂。
智慧人的心在遭喪之家；愚昧人的心在快樂之家。
聽智慧人的責備，強如聽愚昧人的歌唱。
愚昧人的笑聲，好像鍋下燒荊棘的爆聲；這也是虛空。
勒索使智慧人變為愚妄；賄賂能敗壞人的慧心。
事情的終局強如事情的起頭；存心忍耐的，勝過居心驕傲的。
你不要心裡急躁惱怒，因為惱怒存在愚昧人的懷中。
不要說：先前的日子強過如今的日子，是什麼緣故呢？你這樣問，不是出於智慧。
智慧和產業並好，而且見天日的人得智慧更為有益。
因為智慧護庇人，好像銀錢護庇人一樣。惟獨智慧能保全智慧人的生命。這就是知識的益處。
你要察看神的作為；因神使為曲的，誰能變為直呢？
遇亨通的日子你當喜樂；遭患難的日子你當思想；因為神使這兩樣並列，為的是叫人查不出身後有什麼事。
有義人行義，反致滅亡；有惡人行惡，倒享長壽。這都是我在虛度之日中所見過的。
不要行義過分，也不要過於自逞智慧，何必自取敗亡呢？
不要行惡過分，也不要為人愚昧，何必不到期而死呢？
你持守這個為美，那個也不要鬆手；因為敬畏神的人，必從這兩樣出來。
智慧使有智慧的人比城中十個官長更有能力。
時常行善而不犯罪的義人，世上實在沒有。
人所說的一切話，你不要放在心上，恐怕聽見你的僕人咒詛你。
因為你心裡知道，自己也曾屢次咒詛別人。
我曾用智慧試驗這一切事；我說，要得智慧，智慧卻離我遠。
萬事之理，離我甚遠，而且最深，誰能測透呢？
我轉念，一心要知道，要考察，要尋求智慧和萬事的理由；又要知道邪惡為愚昧，愚昧為狂妄。
我得知有等婦人比死還苦：他的心是網羅，手是鎖鍊。凡蒙神喜悅的人必能躲避他；有罪的人卻被他纏住了。
傳道者說：看哪，一千男子中，我找到一個正直人，但眾女子中，沒有找到一個。我將這事一一比較，要尋求其理，我心仍要尋找，卻未曾找到。
併於上節。
我所找到的只有一件，就是神造人原是正直，但他們尋出許多巧計。

Ecclesiastes chapter 7

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
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.
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
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.
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
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.
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.
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
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.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
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:
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.
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
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.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

傳道書 第八章

誰如智慧人呢？誰知道事情的解釋呢？人的智慧使他的臉發光，並使他臉上的暴氣改變。
我勸你遵守王的命令；既指神起誓，理當如此。
不要急躁離開王的面前，不要固執行惡，因為他凡事都隨自己的心意而行。
王的話本有權力，誰敢問他說你做什麼呢？
凡遵守命令的，必不經歷禍患；智慧人的心能辨明時候和定理（原文是審判；下節同）。
各樣事務成就都有時候和定理，因為人的苦難重壓在他身上。
他不知道將來的事，因為將來如何，誰能告訴他呢？
無人有權力掌管生命，將生命留住；也無人有權力掌管死期；這場爭戰，無人能免；邪惡也不能救那好行邪惡的人。
這一切我都見過，也專心查考日光之下所做的一切事。有時這人管轄那人，令人受害。
我見惡人埋葬，歸入墳墓；又見行正直事的離開聖地，在城中被人忘記。這也是虛空。
因為斷定罪名不立刻施刑，所以世人滿心作惡。
罪人雖然作惡百次，倒享長久的年日；然而我準知道，敬畏神的，就是在他面前敬畏的人，終久必得福樂。
惡人卻不得福樂，也不得長久的年日；這年日好像影兒，因他不敬畏神。
世上有一件虛空的事，就是義人所遭遇的，反照惡人所行的；又有惡人所遭遇的，反照義人所行的。我說，這也是虛空。
我就稱讚快樂，原來人在日光之下，莫強如吃喝快樂；因為他在日光之下，神賜他一生的年日，要從勞碌中，時常享受所得的。
我專心求智慧，要看世上所做的事。（有晝夜不睡覺不合眼的。）
我就看明神一切的作為，知道人查不出日光之下所做的事；任憑他費多少力尋查，都查不出來，就是智慧人雖想知道，也是查不出來。

Ecclesiastes chapter 8

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.
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:)
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.

傳道書 第九章

我將這一切事放在心上，詳細考究，就知道義人和智慧人，並他們的作為都在神手中；或是愛，或是恨，都在他們的前面，人不能知道。
凡臨到眾人的事都是一樣：義人和惡人都遭遇一樣的事；好人，潔淨人和不潔淨人，獻祭的與不獻祭的，也是一樣。好人如何，罪人也如何；起誓的如何，怕起誓的也如何。
在日光之下所行的一切事上有一件禍患，就是眾人所遭遇的都是一樣，並且世人的心充滿了惡；活著的時候心裡狂妄，後來就歸死人那裡去了。
與一切活人相連的，那人還有指望，因為活著的狗比死了的獅子更強。
活著的人知道必死；死了的人毫無所知，也不再得賞賜；他們的名無人記念。
他們的愛，他們的恨，他們的嫉妒，早都消滅了。在日光之下所行的一切事上，他們永不再有分了。
你只管去歡歡喜喜吃你的飯，心中快樂喝你的酒，因為神已經悅納你的作為。
你的衣服當時常潔白，你頭上也不要缺少膏油。
在你一生虛空的年日，就是神賜你在日光之下虛空的年日，當同你所愛的妻，快活度日，因為那是你生前在日光之下勞碌的事上所得的分。
凡你手所當做的事要盡力去做；因為在你所必去的陰間沒有工作，沒有謀算，沒有知識，也沒有智慧。
我又轉念：見日光之下，快跑的未必能贏；力戰的未必得勝；智慧的未必得糧食；明哲的未必得資財；靈巧的未必得喜悅。所臨到眾人的是在乎當時的機會。
原來人也不知道自己的定期。魚被惡網圈住，鳥被網羅捉住，禍患忽然臨到的時候，世人陷在其中也是如此。
我見日光之下有一樣智慧，據我看乃是廣大，
就是有一小城，其中的人數稀少，有大君王來攻擊，修築營壘，將城圍困。
城中有一個貧窮的智慧人，他用智慧救了那城，卻沒有人記念那窮人。
我就說，智慧勝過勇力；然而那貧窮人的智慧被人藐視，他的話也無人聽從。
寧可在安靜之中聽智慧人的言語，不聽掌管愚昧人的喊聲。
智慧勝過打仗的兵器；但一個罪人能敗壞許多善事。

Ecclesiastes chapter 9

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.
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.
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.
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
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.
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.
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
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:
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.
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

傳道書 第十章

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。
智慧人的心居右；愚昧人的心居左。
並且愚昧人行路顯出無知，對眾人說，他是愚昧人。
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。
我見日光之下有一件禍患，似乎出於掌權的錯誤，
就是愚昧人立在高位；富足人坐在低位。
我見過僕人騎馬，王子像僕人在地上步行。
挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中；拆牆垣的，必為蛇所咬。
鑿開（或譯：挪移）石頭的，必受損傷；劈開木頭的，必遭危險。
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。
未行法術以先，蛇若咬人，後行法術也是無益。
智慧人的口說出恩言；愚昧人的嘴吞滅自己。
他口中的言語起頭是愚昧；他話的末尾是奸惡的狂妄。
愚昧人多有言語，人卻不知將來有什麼事；他身後的事誰能告訴他呢？
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。
邦國啊，你的王若是孩童，你的群臣早晨宴樂，你就有禍了！
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！
因人懶惰，房頂塌下；因人手懶，房屋滴漏。
設擺筵席是為喜笑。酒能使人快活；錢能叫萬事應心。
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。

Ecclesiastes chapter 10

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.
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
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.
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
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.
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
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!
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
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.

傳道書 第十一章

當將你的糧食撒在水面，因為日久必能得著。
你要分給七人，或分給八人，因為你不知道將來有什麼災禍臨到地上。
雲若滿了雨，就必傾倒在地上。樹若向南倒，或向北倒，樹倒在何處，就存在何處。
看風的，必不撒種；望雲的，必不收割。
風從何道來，骨頭在懷孕婦人的胎中如何長成，你尚且不得知道；這樣，行萬事之神的作為，你更不得知道。
早晨要撒你的種，晚上也不要歇你的手，因為你不知道哪一樣發旺；或是早撒的，或是晚撒的，或是兩樣都好。
光本是佳美的，眼見日光也是可悅的。
人活多年，就當快樂多年；然而也當想到黑暗的日子。因為這日子必多，所要來的都是虛空。
少年人哪，你在幼年時當快樂。在幼年的日子，使你的心歡暢，行你心所願行的，看你眼所愛看的；卻要知道，為這一切的事，神必審問你。
所以，你當從心中除掉愁煩，從肉體克去邪惡；因為一生的開端和幼年之時，都是虛空的。

Ecclesiastes chapter 11

Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.
Give a part to seven or even to eight, because you have no knowledge of the evil which will be on the earth.
If the clouds are full of rain, they send it down on the earth; and if a tree comes down to the south, or the north, in whatever place it comes down, there it will be.
He who is watching the wind will not get the seed planted, and he who is looking at the clouds will not get in the grain.
As you have no knowledge of the way of the wind, or of the growth of the bones in the body of her who is with child, even so you have no knowledge of the works of God who has made all.
In the morning put your seed into the earth, and till the evening let not your hand be at rest; because you are not certain which will do well, this or that--or if the two will be equally good.
Truly the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.
Have joy, O young man, while you are young; and let your heart be glad in the days of your strength, and go in the ways of your heart, and in the desire of your eyes; but be certain that for all these things God will be your judge.
So put away trouble from your heart, and sorrow from your flesh; because the early years and the best years are to no purpose.

傳道書 第十二章

你趁著年幼、衰敗的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，我毫無喜樂的那些年日未曾臨近之先，當記念造你的主。
不要等到日頭、光明、月亮、星宿變為黑暗，雨後雲彩反回，
看守房屋的發顫，有力的屈身，推磨的稀少就止息，從窗戶往外看的都昏暗；
街門關閉，推磨的響聲微小，雀鳥一叫，人就起來，唱歌的女子也都衰微。
人怕高處，路上有驚慌，杏樹開花，蚱蜢成為重擔，人所願的也都廢掉；因為人歸他永遠的家，弔喪的在街上往來。
銀鍊折斷，金罐破裂，瓶子在泉旁損壞，水輪在井口破爛，
塵土仍歸於地，靈仍歸於賜靈的神。
傳道者說：虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。
再者，傳道者因有智慧，仍將知識教訓眾人；又默想，又考查，又陳說許多箴言。
傳道者專心尋求可喜悅的言語，是憑正直寫的誠實話。
智慧人的言語好像刺棍；會中之師的言語又像釘穩的釘子，都是一個牧者所賜的。
我兒，還有一層，你當受勸戒：著書多，沒有窮盡；讀書多，身體疲倦。
這些事都已聽見了，總意就是：敬畏神，謹守他的誡命，這是人所當盡的本分（或譯：這是眾人的本分）。
因為人所做的事，連一切隱藏的事，無論是善是惡，神都必審問。

Ecclesiastes chapter 12

Let your mind be turned to your Maker in the days of your strength, while the evil days come not, and the years are far away when you will say, I have no pleasure in them;
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not dark, and the clouds come not back after the rain;
In the day when the keepers of the house are shaking for fear, and the strong men are bent down, and the women who were crushing the grain are at rest because their number is small, and those looking out of the windows are unable to see;
When the doors are shut in the street, and the sound of the crushing is low, and the voice of the bird is soft, and the daughters of music will be made low;
And he is in fear of that which is high, and danger is in the road, and the tree is white with flower, and the least thing is a weight, and desire is at an end, because man goes to his last resting-place, and those who are sorrowing are in the streets;
Before ever the silver cord is cut, or the vessel of gold is broken, or the pot is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the water-hole;
And the dust goes back to the earth as it was, and the spirit goes back to God who gave it.
All things are to no purpose, says the Preacher, all is to no purpose.
And because the Preacher was wise he still gave the people knowledge; searching out, testing, and putting in order a great number of wise sayings.
The Preacher made search for words which were pleasing, but his writing was in words upright and true.
The words of the wise are pointed, and sayings grouped together are like nails fixed with a hammer; they are given by one guide.
And further, my son, take note of this: of the making of books there is no end, and much learning is a weariness to the flesh.
This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man.
God will be judge of every work, with every secret thing, good or evil.

為經濟禱告   

第一天轉移  (First Day)  

箴13:22 善人給子孫遺留產業 , 罪人為義人積存資財    

(Proverbs chapter 13 :22  

Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.)  

第二天 神掌權 (Second day)   

路1:52-53他叫有權柄的失位，叫卑賤的升高；  

叫飢餓的得飽美食，叫富足的空手回去。   

(Luke chapter 1:52-53 

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.)

第三天應許之地   

創13:17你起來，縱橫走遍這地，因為我必把這地賜給你。   

(Genesis chapter 13:17 

Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.)

第四天 耕種   

創26:12以撒在那地耕種，那一年有百倍的收成。耶和華賜福給他   

第五天 雅各的轉移   

創31:8 他若說：有點的歸你作工價，羊群所生的都有點；  

他若說：有紋的歸你作工價，羊群所生的都有紋。  

第六天約瑟的轉移   

創41:39-40法老對約瑟說：神既將這事都指示你，可見沒有人像你這樣   

有聰明有智慧。你可以掌管我的家；我的民都必聽從你的話  

第七天 出埃及   

出3:21 我必叫你們在埃及人眼前蒙恩，你們去的時候就不至於空手而去。  

第八天 獻初熟的果子  

書6:19惟有金子、銀子，和銅鐵的器皿都要歸耶和華為聖，必入耶和華的庫中  

第九天 從失敗再起   

書8:1耶和華對約書亞說：不要懼怕，也不要驚惶。你起來，率領一切兵丁上艾  

城去，我已經把艾城的王和他的民、他的城，並他的地，都交在你手裡。  

第十天 日頭停留, 月亮止住   

書10:12-13約書亞就禱告耶和華，在以色列人眼前說：日頭啊，你要停在   

基遍；月亮啊，你要止在亞雅崙谷。於是日頭停留，月亮止住.....日頭在天當中  

停住，不急速下落，約有一日之久。   

第十一天 被擄的被救回   

撒上30:8 大衛求問耶和華說：我追趕敵軍，追得上追不上呢？   

耶和華說：你可以追，必追得上，都救得回來。 

第十二天 為奉獻感恩   

代上29:14我算什麼，我的民算什麼，竟能如此樂意奉獻？因為萬物都從你而來， 

我們把從你而得的獻給你  

第十三天 求判斷的智慧   

王上3:9所以求你賜我智慧，可以判斷你的民，能辨別是非。   

不然，誰能判斷這眾多的民呢﹖  

第十四天 為朋友代求   

伯42:10約伯為他的朋友祈禱。耶和華就使約伯從苦境轉回， 

並且耶和華賜給他的比他從前所有的加倍。   

第十五天 神是我的產業   

詩篇16:5耶和華是我的產業，是我杯中的分；我所得的你為我持守。 

第十六天 神執掌全地   

詩篇72:8他要執掌權柄，從這海直到那海，從大河直到地極   

第十七天 神執掌   

詩篇110:3當你掌權的日子，你的民要以聖潔的妝飾，甘心犧牲自己；   

你的民多如清晨的甘露。   

第十八天 願你的國降臨   

太6:10願你的國降臨,願你的旨意行在地上如同行在天上   

第十九天 為在位者懇求   

提前2:1-2我勸你第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝；為君王和一切   

在位的，也該如此，使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事的度日。   

第二十天 兒子恩寵   

羅8:15你們所受的，不是奴僕的心，仍舊害怕；所受的，乃是兒子的心， 

因此我們呼叫：阿爸！父！  

第二十一天 信心的恩寵   

來11:6人非有信，就不能得神的喜悅；因為到神面前來的人必須信有神， 

且信他賞賜那尋求他的人。   

第二十二天 誠實的恩寵   

箴28:20誠實人必多得福,想要急速發財的不免受罰  

第二十三天 神的愛   

申7:13他必愛你,賜福與你,使你人數增多,也必在他向你列祖起誓應許給你的地上   

賜福與你身所生的,地所產的,並你的五穀、新酒，和油，以及牛犢、羊羔。 

第二十四天 十一的祝福  

瑪3:10萬軍之耶和華說：你們要將當納的十分之一全然送入倉庫，使我家有糧  

，以此試試我，是否為你們敞開天上的窗戶，傾福與你們，甚至無處可容。 

第二十五天 豐滿的恩寵   

約1:16從他豐滿的恩典裡,我們都領受了,而且恩上加恩   

第二十六天 創造的恩寵   

創1:1起初神創造天地。   

第二十七天 團隊的祝福   

詩133:3又好比黑門的甘露降在錫安山；因為在那裡有耶和華所命定的福，  

就是永遠的生命 

第二十八天 凡事興盛   

約參2親愛的兄弟啊，我願你凡事興盛，身體健壯,正如你的靈魂興盛一樣   

第二十九天 多行善事  

林後9:8神能將各樣的恩惠多多的加給你們，使你們凡事常常充足， 

能多行各樣善事。  

第三十天 求收割的工人   

路10:2就對他們說：要收的莊稼多，做工的人少。所以，你們當求莊稼的主  

打發工人出去收他的莊稼。   

第三十一天 天使的服事 

來1:14天使豈不都是服役的靈,奉差遣為那將要承受救恩的人效力嗎？ 

為經濟得祝福 作者:葉聖通牧師  禱告by 米達