傳道書 12 – CCBT & NIVUK

Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)

傳道書 12:1-14

1年輕時要記住你的創造主,不要等到衰老的歲月來臨時才哀歎:「我的日子毫無樂趣。」 2那時,太陽、月亮、星星都暗淡無光,雨後烏雲再現; 3守衛家園的手腳顫抖,強壯的身軀變得彎腰駝背;牙齒稀少,無法咀嚼;視力衰退,看不清楚; 4耳朵發背,聽不到推磨聲;小鳥一叫,人就起來;歌聲沙啞,不再美妙; 5懼怕高處,走路戰戰兢兢;頭髮白如銀杏,精力枯竭,慾望蕩然無存;人都走向永遠的歸宿,弔喪的人往來於街上; 6銀鏈斷裂,金碗摔壞,泉旁的瓶子破碎,井口的輪子朽爛。 7那時塵土必歸於塵土,靈也要歸回賜靈的上帝。 8傳道者說:「虛空的虛空,一切都是虛空。」 9傳道者不但有智慧,還把知識傳授給眾人。他經過細心推敲和研究之後,編寫了許多警世的箴言。 10傳道者費盡心思尋找金玉良言,所寫的都是正直誠實的道理。 11智者的言語好像趕牛的刺棍,他們收集的箴言像釘穩的釘子一樣牢靠,都是一位牧者所賜的。 12我親愛的兒子,還有一件事,你要聽我的忠告:著書多,沒有窮盡;讀書多,身體疲勞。

13以上所說的,總而言之,就是要敬畏上帝,遵守祂的誡命,這是人的本分。 14因為人一切的行為,無論善惡,包括一切隱秘事,上帝都必審問。

New International Version – UK

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

1Remember your Creator

in the days of your youth,

before the days of trouble come

and the years approach when you will say,

‘I find no pleasure in them’ –

2before the sun and the light

and the moon and the stars grow dark,

and the clouds return after the rain;

3when the keepers of the house tremble,

and the strong men stoop,

when the grinders cease because they are few,

and those looking through the windows grow dim;

4when the doors to the street are closed

and the sound of grinding fades;

when people rise up at the sound of birds,

but all their songs grow faint;

5when people are afraid of heights

and of dangers in the streets;

when the almond tree blossoms

and the grasshopper drags itself along

and desire no longer is stirred.

Then people go to their eternal home

and mourners go about the streets.

6Remember him – before the silver cord is severed,

and the golden bowl is broken;

before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,

and the wheel broken at the well,

7and the dust returns to the ground it came from,

and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher.12:8 Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 9 and 10

‘Everything is meaningless!’

The conclusion of the matter

9Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.

11The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails – given by one shepherd.12:11 Or Shepherd 12Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

13Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the duty of all mankind.

14For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil.