朗読

21. Ecclesiastes　　伝道の書

２１伝道の書Book 21Ecclesiastes
WEB
1:1ダビデの子、エルサレムの王である伝道者の言葉。1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
1:2伝道者は言う、空の空、空の空、いっさいは空である。1:2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
1:3日の下で人が労するすべての労苦は、その身になんの益があるか。1:3 What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
1:4世は去り、世はきたる。しかし地は永遠に変らない。1:4 One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
1:5日はいで、日は没し、その出た所に急ぎ行く。1:5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.
1:6風は南に吹き、また転じて、北に向かい、めぐりにめぐって、またそのめぐる所に帰る。1:6 The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.
1:7川はみな、海に流れ入る、しかし海は満ちることがない。川はその出てきた所にまた帰って行く。1:7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
1:8すべての事は人をうみ疲れさせる、人はこれを言いつくすことができない。目は見ることに飽きることがなく、耳は聞くことに満足することがない。1:8 All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
1:9先にあったことは、また後にもある、先になされた事は、また後にもなされる。日の下には新しいものはない。1:9 That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
1:10「見よ、これは新しいものだ」と言われるものがあるか、それはわれわれの前にあった世々に、すでにあったものである。1:10 Is there a thing of which it may be said, "Behold, this is new?" It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.
1:11前の者のことは覚えられることがない、また、きたるべき後の者のことも、後に起る者はこれを覚えることがない。1:11 There is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after.
1:12伝道者であるわたしはエルサレムで、イスラエルの王であった。1:12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
1:13わたしは心をつくし、知恵を用いて、天が下に行われるすべてのことを尋ね、また調べた。これは神が、人の子らに与えて、ほねおらせられる苦しい仕事である。1:13 I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God {The Hebrew word rendered "God" is "Elohim."} has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
1:14わたしは日の下で人が行うすべてのわざを見たが、みな空であって風を捕えるようである。1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
1:15曲ったものは、まっすぐにすることができない、欠けたものは数えることができない。1:15 That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted.
1:16わたしは心の中に語って言った、「わたしは、わたしより先にエルサレムを治めたすべての者にまさって、多くの知恵を得た。わたしの心は知恵と知識を多く得た」。1:16 I said to myself, "Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."
1:17わたしは心をつくして知恵を知り、また狂気と愚痴とを知ろうとしたが、これもまた風を捕えるようなものであると悟った。1:17 I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
1:18それは知恵が多ければ悩みが多く、知識を増す者は憂いを増すからである。1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
2:1わたしは自分の心に言った、「さあ、快楽をもって、おまえを試みよう。おまえは愉快に過ごすがよい」と。しかし、これもまた空であった。2:1 I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure"; and behold, this also was vanity.
2:2わたしは笑いについて言った、「これは狂気である」と。また快楽について言った、「これは何をするのか」と。2:2 I said of laughter, "It is foolishness"; and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
2:3わたしの心は知恵をもってわたしを導いているが、わたしは酒をもって自分の肉体を元気づけようと試みた。また、人の子は天が下でその短い一生の間、どんな事をしたら良いかを、見きわめるまでは、愚かな事をしようと試みた。2:3 I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
2:4わたしは大きな事業をした。わたしは自分のために家を建て、ぶどう畑を設け、2:4 I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.
2:5園と庭をつくり、またすべて実のなる木をそこに植え、2:5 I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.
2:6池をつくって、木のおい茂る林に、そこから水を注がせた。2:6 I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were reared.
2:7わたしは男女の奴隷を買った。またわたしの家で生れた奴隷を持っていた。わたしはまた、わたしより先にエルサレムにいただれよりも多くの牛や羊の財産を持っていた。2:7 I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem;
2:8わたしはまた銀と金を集め、王たちと国々の財宝を集めた。またわたしは歌うたう男、歌うたう女を得た。また人の子の楽しみとするそばめを多く得た。2:8 I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men--musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
2:9こうして、わたしは大いなる者となり、わたしより先にエルサレムにいたすべての者よりも、大いなる者となった。わたしの知恵もまた、わたしを離れなかった。2:9 So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.
2:10なんでもわたしの目の好むものは遠慮せず、わたしの心の喜ぶものは拒まなかった。わたしの心がわたしのすべての労苦によって、快楽を得たからである。そしてこれはわたしのすべての労苦によって得た報いであった。2:10 Whatever my eyes desired, I didn't keep from them. I didn't withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor.
2:11そこで、わたしはわが手のなしたすべての事、およびそれをなすに要した労苦を顧みたとき、見よ、皆、空であって、風を捕えるようなものであった。日の下には益となるものはないのである。2:11 Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
2:12わたしはまた、身をめぐらして、知恵と、狂気と、愚痴とを見た。そもそも、王の後に来る人は何をなし得ようか。すでに彼がなした事にすぎないのだ。2:12 I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king's successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.
2:13光が暗きにまさるように、知恵が愚痴にまさるのを、わたしは見た。2:13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
2:14知者の目は、その頭にある。しかし愚者は暗やみを歩む。けれどもわたしはなお同一の運命が彼らのすべてに臨むことを知っている。2:14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness--and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.
2:15わたしは心に言った、「愚者に臨む事はわたしにも臨むのだ。それでどうしてわたしは賢いことがあろう」。わたしはまた心に言った、「これもまた空である」と。2:15 Then I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.
2:16そもそも、知者も愚者も同様に長く覚えられるものではない。きたるべき日には皆忘れられてしまうのである。知者が愚者と同じように死ぬのは、どうしたことであろう。2:16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory for ever, since in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!
2:17そこで、わたしは生きることをいとった。日の下に行われるわざは、わたしに悪しく見えたからである。皆空であって、風を捕えるようである。2:17 So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
2:18わたしは日の下で労したすべての労苦を憎んだ。わたしの後に来る人にこれを残さなければならないからである。2:18 I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.
2:19そして、その人が知者であるか、または愚者であるかは、だれが知り得よう。そうであるのに、その人が、日の下でわたしが労し、かつ知恵を働かしてなしたすべての労苦をつかさどることになるのだ。これもまた空である。2:19 Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
2:20それでわたしはふり返ってみて、日の下でわたしが労したすべての労苦について、望みを失った。2:20 Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.
2:21今ここに人があって、知恵と知識と才能をもって労しても、これがために労しない人に、すべてを残して、その所有とさせなければならないのだ。これもまた空であって、大いに悪い。2:21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
2:22そもそも、人は日の下で労するすべての労苦と、その心づかいによってなんの得るところがあるか。2:22 For what has a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun?
2:23そのすべての日はただ憂いのみであって、そのわざは苦しく、その心は夜の間も休まることがない。これもまた空である。2:23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.
2:24人は食い飲みし、その労苦によって得たもので心を楽しませるより良い事はない。これもまた神の手から出ることを、わたしは見た。2:24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
2:25だれが神を離れて、食い、かつ楽しむことのできる者があろう。2:25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?
2:26神は、その心にかなう人に、知恵と知識と喜びとをくださる。しかし罪びとには仕事を与えて集めることと、積むことをさせられる。これは神の心にかなう者にそれを賜わるためである。これもまた空であって、風を捕えるようである。2:26 For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
3:1天が下のすべての事には季節があり、すべてのわざには時がある。3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
3:2生るるに時があり、死ぬるに時があり、植えるに時があり、植えたものを抜くに時があり、3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3:3殺すに時があり、いやすに時があり、こわすに時があり、建てるに時があり、3:3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
3:4泣くに時があり、笑うに時があり、悲しむに時があり、踊るに時があり、3:4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
3:5石を投げるに時があり、石を集めるに時があり、抱くに時があり、抱くことをやめるに時があり、3:5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
3:6捜すに時があり、失うに時があり、保つに時があり、捨てるに時があり、3:6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
3:7裂くに時があり、縫うに時があり、黙るに時があり、語るに時があり、3:7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
3:8愛するに時があり、憎むに時があり、戦うに時があり、和らぐに時がある。3:8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
3:9働く者はその労することにより、なんの益を得るか。3:9 What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?
3:10わたしは神が人の子らに与えて、ほねおらせられる仕事を見た。3:10 I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
3:11神のなされることは皆その時にかなって美しい。神はまた人の心に永遠を思う思いを授けられた。それでもなお、人は神のなされるわざを初めから終りまで見きわめることはできない。3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can't find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.
3:12わたしは知っている。人にはその生きながらえている間、楽しく愉快に過ごすよりほかに良い事はない。3:12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
3:13またすべての人が食い飲みし、そのすべての労苦によって楽しみを得ることは神の賜物である。3:13 Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
3:14わたしは知っている。すべて神がなさる事は永遠に変ることがなく、これに加えることも、これから取ることもできない。神がこのようにされるのは、人々が神の前に恐れをもつようになるためである。3:14 I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.
3:15今あるものは、すでにあったものである。後にあるものも、すでにあったものである。神は追いやられたものを尋ね求められる。3:15 That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away.
3:16わたしはまた、日の下を見たが、さばきを行う所にも不正があり、公義を行う所にも不正がある。3:16 Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
3:17わたしは心に言った、「神は正しい者と悪い者とをさばかれる。神はすべての事と、すべてのわざに、時を定められたからである」と。3:17 I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."
3:18わたしはまた、人の子らについて心に言った、「神は彼らをためして、彼らに自分たちが獣にすぎないことを悟らせられるのである」と。3:18 I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.
3:19人の子らに臨むところは獣にも臨むからである。すなわち一様に彼らに臨み、これの死ぬように、彼も死ぬのである。彼らはみな同様の息をもっている。人は獣にまさるところがない。すべてのものは空だからである。3:19 For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity.
3:20みな一つ所に行く。皆ちりから出て、皆ちりに帰る。3:20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.
3:21だれが知るか、人の子らの霊は上にのぼり、獣の霊は地にくだるかを。3:21 Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?"
3:22それで、わたしは見た、人はその働きによって楽しむにこした事はない。これが彼の分だからである。だれが彼をつれていって、その後の、どうなるかを見させることができようか。3:22 Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?
4:1わたしはまた、日の下に行われるすべてのしえたげを見た。見よ、しえたげられる者の涙を。彼らを慰める者はない。しえたげる者の手には権力がある。しかし彼らを慰める者はいない。4:1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
4:2それで、わたしはなお生きている生存者よりも、すでに死んだ死者を、さいわいな者と思った。4:2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.
4:3しかし、この両者よりもさいわいなのは、まだ生れない者で、日の下に行われる悪しきわざを見ない者である。4:3 Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4:4また、わたしはすべての労苦と、すべての巧みなわざを見たが、これは人が互にねたみあってなすものである。これもまた空であって、風を捕えるようである。4:4 Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
4:5愚かなる者は手をつかねて、自分の肉を食う。4:5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
4:6片手に物を満たして平穏であるのは、両手に物を満たして労苦し、風を捕えるのにまさる。4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
4:7わたしはまた、日の下に空なる事のあるのを見た。4:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
4:8ここに人がある。ひとりであって、仲間もなく、子もなく、兄弟もない。それでも彼の労苦は窮まりなく、その目は富に飽くことがない。また彼は言わない、「わたしはだれのために労するのか、どうして自分を楽しませないのか」と。これもまた空であって、苦しいわざである。4:8 There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. "For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?" This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.
4:9ふたりはひとりにまさる。彼らはその労苦によって良い報いを得るからである。4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
4:10すなわち彼らが倒れる時には、そのひとりがその友を助け起す。しかしひとりであって、その倒れる時、これを助け起す者のない者はわざわいである。4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up.
4:11またふたりが一緒に寝れば暖かである。ひとりだけで、どうして暖かになり得ようか。4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?
4:12人がもし、そのひとりを攻め撃ったなら、ふたりで、それに当るであろう。三つよりの綱はたやすくは切れない。4:12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
4:13貧しくて賢いわらべは、老いて愚かで、もはや、いさめをいれることを知らない王にまさる。4:13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more.
4:14たとい、その王が獄屋から出て、王位についた者であっても、また自分の国に貧しく生れて王位についた者であっても、そうである。4:14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
4:15わたしは日の下に歩むすべての民が、かのわらべのように王に代って立つのを見た。4:15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
4:16すべての民は果てしがない。彼はそのすべての民を導いた。しかし後に来る者は彼を喜ばない。たしかに、これもまた空であって、風を捕えるようである。4:16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was--yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
5:1神の宮に行く時には、その足を慎むがよい。近よって聞くのは愚かな者の犠牲をささげるのにまさる。彼らは悪を行っていることを知らないからである。5:1 Guard your steps when you go to God's house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don't know that they do evil.
5:2神の前で軽々しく口をひらき、また言葉を出そうと、心にあせってはならない。神は天にいまし、あなたは地におるからである。それゆえ、あなたは言葉を少なくせよ。5:2 Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
5:3夢は仕事の多いことによってきたり、愚かなる者の声は言葉の多いことによって知られる。5:3 For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool's speech with a multitude of words.
5:4あなたは神に誓いをなすとき、それを果すことを延ばしてはならない。神は愚かな者を喜ばれないからである。あなたの誓ったことを必ず果せ。5:4 When you vow a vow to God, don't defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.
5:5あなたが誓いをして、それを果さないよりは、むしろ誓いをしないほうがよい。5:5 It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
5:6あなたの口が、あなたに罪を犯させないようにせよ。また使者の前にそれは誤りであったと言ってはならない。どうして、神があなたの言葉を怒り、あなたの手のわざを滅ぼしてよかろうか。5:6 Don't allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don't protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?
5:7夢が多ければ空なる言葉も多い。しかし、あなたは神を恐れよ。5:7 For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.
5:8あなたは国のうちに貧しい者をしえたげ、公道と正義を曲げることのあるのを見ても、その事を怪しんではならない。それは位の高い人よりも、さらに高い者があって、その人をうかがうからである。そしてそれらよりもなお高い者がある。5:8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don't marvel at the matter: for one official is eyed by a higher one; and there are officials over them.
5:9しかし、要するに耕作した田畑をもつ国には王は利益である。5:9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.
5:10金銭を好む者は金銭をもって満足しない。富を好む者は富を得て満足しない。これもまた空である。5:10 He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
5:11財産が増せば、これを食う者も増す。その持ち主は目にそれを見るだけで、なんの益があるか。5:11 When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?
5:12働く者は食べることが少なくても多くても、快く眠る。しかし飽き足りるほどの富は、彼に眠ることをゆるさない。5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
5:13わたしは日の下に悲しむべき悪のあるのを見た。すなわち、富はこれをたくわえるその持ち主に害を及ぼすことである。5:13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.
5:14またその富は不幸な出来事によってうせ行くことである。それで、その人が子をもうけても、彼の手には何も残らない。5:14 Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.
5:15彼は母の胎から出てきたように、すなわち裸で出てきたように帰って行く。彼はその労苦によって得た何物をもその手に携え行くことができない。5:15 As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
5:16人は全くその来たように、また去って行かなければならない。これもまた悲しむべき悪である。風のために労する者になんの益があるか。5:16 This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?
5:17人は一生、暗やみと、悲しみと、多くの悩みと、病と、憤りの中にある。5:17 All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.
5:18見よ、わたしが見たところの善かつ美なる事は、神から賜わった短い一生の間、食い、飲み、かつ日の下で労するすべての労苦によって、楽しみを得る事である。これがその分だからである。5:18 Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.
5:19また神はすべての人に富と宝と、それを楽しむ力を与え、またその分を取らせ、その労苦によって楽しみを得させられる。これが神の賜物である。5:19 Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God.
5:20このような人は自分の生きる日のことを多く思わない。神は喜びをもって彼の心を満たされるからである。5:20 For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.
6:1わたしは日の下に一つの悪のあるのを見た。これは人々の上に重い。6:1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men:
6:2すなわち神は富と、財産と、誉とを人に与えて、その心に慕うものを、一つも欠けることのないようにされる。しかし神は、その人にこれを持つことを許されないで、他人がこれを持つようになる。これは空である。悪しき病である。6:2 a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
6:3たとい人は百人の子をもうけ、また命長く、そのよわいの日が多くても、その心が幸福に満足せず、また葬られることがなければ、わたしは言う、流産の子はその人にまさると。6:3 If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial; I say, that a stillborn child is better than he:
6:4これはむなしく来て、暗やみの中に去って行き、その名は暗やみにおおわれる。6:4 for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.
6:5またこれは日を見ず、物を知らない。けれどもこれは彼よりも安らかである。6:5 Moreover it has not seen the sun nor known it. This has rest rather than the other.
6:6たとい彼は千年に倍するほど生きても幸福を見ない。みな一つ所に行くのではないか。6:6 Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet fails to enjoy good, don't all go to one place?
6:7人の労苦は皆、その口のためである。しかしその食欲は満たされない。6:7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
6:8賢い者は愚かな者になんのまさるところがあるか。また生ける者の前に歩むことを知る貧しい者もなんのまさるところがあるか。6:8 For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?
6:9目に見る事は欲望のさまよい歩くにまさる。これもまた空であって、風を捕えるようなものである。6:9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
6:10今あるものは、すでにその名がつけられた。そして人はいかなる者であるかは知られた。それで人は自分よりも力強い者と争うことはできない。6:10 Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
6:11言葉が多ければむなしい事も多い。人になんの益があるか。6:11 For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?
6:12人はその短く、むなしい命の日を影のように送るのに、何が人のために善であるかを知ることができよう。だれがその身の後に、日の下に何があるであろうかを人に告げることができるか。6:12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
7:1良き名は良き油にまさり、死ぬる日は生るる日にまさる。7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one's birth.
7:2悲しみの家にはいるのは、宴会の家にはいるのにまさる。死はすべての人の終りだからである。生きている者は、これを心にとめる。7:2 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 should take this to heart.
7:3悲しみは笑いにまさる。顔に憂いをもつことによって、心は良くなるからである。7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
7:4賢い者の心は悲しみの家にあり、愚かな者の心は楽しみの家にある。7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
7:5賢い者の戒めを聞くのは、愚かな者の歌を聞くのにまさる。7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
7:6愚かな者の笑いはかまの下に燃えるいばらの音のようである。これもまた空である。7:6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
7:7たしかに、しえたげは賢い人を愚かにし、まいないは人の心をそこなう。7:7 Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.
7:8事の終りはその初めよりも良い。耐え忍ぶ心は、おごり高ぶる心にまさる。7:8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
7:9気をせきたてて怒るな。怒りは愚かな者の胸に宿るからである。7:9 Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
7:10「昔が今よりもよかったのはなぜか」と言うな。あなたがこれを問うのは知恵から出るのではない。7:10 Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.
7:11知恵に財産が伴うのは良い。それは日を見る者どもに益がある。7:11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.
7:12知恵が身を守るのは、金銭が身を守るようである。しかし、知恵はこれを持つ者に生命を保たせる。これが知識のすぐれた所である。7:12 For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
7:13神のみわざを考えみよ。神の曲げられたものを、だれがまっすぐにすることができるか。7:13 Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?
7:14順境の日には楽しめ、逆境の日には考えよ。神は人に将来どういう事があるかを、知らせないために、彼とこれとを等しく造られたのである。7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
7:15わたしはこのむなしい人生において、もろもろの事を見た。そこには義人がその義によって滅びることがあり、悪人がその悪によって長生きすることがある。7:15 All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.
7:16あなたは義に過ぎてはならない。また賢きに過ぎてはならない。あなたはどうして自分を滅ぼしてよかろうか。7:16 Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
7:17悪に過ぎてはならない。また愚かであってはならない。あなたはどうして、自分の時のこないのに、死んでよかろうか。7:17 Don't be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
7:18あなたがこれを執るのはよい、また彼から手を引いてはならない。神をかしこむ者は、このすべてからのがれ出るのである。7:18 It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also from that don't withdraw your hand; for he who fears God will come forth from them all.
7:19知恵が知者を強くするのは、十人のつかさが町におるのにまさる。7:19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
7:20善を行い、罪を犯さない正しい人は世にいない。7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin.
7:21人の語るすべての事に心をとめてはならない。これはあなたが、自分のしもべのあなたをのろう言葉を聞かないためである。7:21 Also don't take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;
7:22あなたもまた、しばしば他人をのろったのを自分の心に知っているからである。7:22 for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.
7:23わたしは知恵をもってこのすべての事を試みて、「わたしは知者となろう」と言ったが、遠く及ばなかった。7:23 All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise"; but it was far from me.
7:24物事の理は遠く、また、はなはだ深い。だれがこれを見いだすことができよう。7:24 That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?
7:25わたしは、心を転じて、物を知り、事を探り、知恵と道理を求めようとし、また悪の愚かなこと、愚痴の狂気であることを知ろうとした。7:25 I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.
7:26わたしは、その心が、わなと網のような女、その手が、かせのような女は、死よりも苦い者であることを見いだした。神を喜ばす者は彼女からのがれる。しかし罪びとは彼女に捕えられる。7:26 I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.
7:27伝道者は言う、見よ、その数を知ろうとして、いちいち数えて、わたしが得たものはこれである。7:27 "Behold, I have found this," says the Preacher, "one to another, to find out the scheme;
7:28わたしはなおこれを求めたけれども、得なかった。わたしは千人のうちにひとりの男子を得たけれども、そのすべてのうちに、ひとりの女子をも得なかった。7:28 which my soul still seeks; but I have not found. One man among a thousand have I found; but I have not found a woman among all those.
7:29見よ、わたしが得た事は、ただこれだけである。すなわち、神は人を正しい者に造られたけれども、人は多くの計略を考え出した事である。7:29 Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they search for many schemes."
8:1だれが知者のようになり得よう。だれが事の意義を知り得よう。人の知恵はその人の顔を輝かせ、またその粗暴な顔を変える。8:1 Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
8:2王の命を守れ。すでに神をさして誓ったことゆえ、驚くな。8:2 I say, "Keep the king's command!" because of the oath to God.
8:3事が悪い時は、王の前を去れ、ためらうな。彼はすべてその好むところをなすからである。8:3 Don't be hasty to go out of his presence. Don't persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,
8:4王の言葉は決定的である。だれが彼に「あなたは何をするのか」と言うことができようか。8:4 for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
8:5命令を守る者は災にあわない。知者の心は時と方法をわきまえている。8:5 Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.
8:6人の悪が彼の上に重くても、すべてのわざには時と方法がある。8:6 For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.
8:7後に起る事を知る者はない。どんな事が起るかをだれが彼に告げ得よう。8:7 For he doesn't know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?
8:8風をとどめる力をもつ人はない。また死の日をつかさどるものはない。戦いには免除はない。また悪はこれを行う者を救うことができない。8:8 There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.
8:9わたしはこのすべての事を見た。また日の下に行われるもろもろのわざに心を用いた。時としてはこの人が、かの人を治めて、これに害をこうむらせることがある。8:9 All this have I seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.
8:10またわたしは悪人の葬られるのを見た。彼らはいつも聖所に出入りし、それを行ったその町でほめられた。これもまた空である。8:10 So I saw the wicked buried. Indeed they came also from holiness. They went and were forgotten in the city where they did this. This also is vanity.
8:11悪しきわざに対する判決がすみやかに行われないために、人の子らの心はもっぱら悪を行うことに傾いている。8:11 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.
8:12罪びとで百度悪をなして、なお長生きするものがあるけれども、神をかしこみ、み前に恐れをいだく者には幸福があることを、わたしは知っている。8:12 Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.
8:13しかし悪人には幸福がない。またその命は影のようであって長くは続かない。彼は神の前に恐れをいだかないからである。8:13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he lengthen days like a shadow; because he doesn't fear God.
8:14地の上に空な事が行われている。すなわち、義人であって、悪人に臨むべき事が、その身に臨む者がある。また、悪人であって、義人に臨むべき事が、その身に臨む者がある。わたしは言った、これもまた空であると。8:14 There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
8:15そこで、わたしは歓楽をたたえる。それは日の下では、人にとって、食い、飲み、楽しむよりほかに良い事はないからである。これこそは日の下で、神が賜わった命の日の間、その勤労によってその身に伴うものである。8:15 Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
8:16わたしは心をつくして知恵を知ろうとし、また地上に行われるわざを昼も夜も眠らずに窮めようとしたとき、8:16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes),
8:17わたしは神のもろもろのわざを見たが、人は日の下に行われるわざを窮めることはできない。人はこれを尋ねようと労しても、これを窮めることはできない。また、たとい知者があって、これを知ろうと思っても、これを窮めることはできないのである。8:17 then I saw all the work of God, that man can't find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he won't find it. Yes even though a wise man thinks he can comprehend it, he won't be able to find it.
9:1わたしはこのすべての事に心を用いて、このすべての事を明らかにしようとした。すなわち正しい者と賢い者、および彼らのわざが、神の手にあることを明らかにしようとした。愛するか憎むかは人にはわからない。彼らの前にあるすべてのことは空である。9:1 For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hatred, man doesn't know it; all is before them.
9:2すべての人に臨むところは、みな同様である。正しい者にも正しくない者にも、善良な者にも悪い者にも、清い者にも汚れた者にも、犠牲をささげる者にも、犠牲をささげない者にも、その臨むところは同様である。善良な人も罪びとも異なることはない。誓いをなす者も、誓いをなすことを恐れる者も異なることはない。9:2 All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good, to the clean, to the unclean, to him who sacrifices, and to him who doesn't sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who takes an oath, as he who fears an oath.
9:3すべての人に同一に臨むのは、日の下に行われるすべての事のうちの悪事である。また人の心は悪に満ち、その生きている間は、狂気がその心のうちにあり、その後は死者のもとに行くのである。9:3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes 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.
9:4すべて生ける者に連なる者には望みがある。生ける犬は、死せるししにまさるからである。9:4 For to him who is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
9:5生きている者は死ぬべき事を知っている。しかし死者は何事をも知らない、また、もはや報いを受けることもない。その記憶に残る事がらさえも、ついに忘れられる。9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead don't know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten.
9:6その愛も、憎しみも、ねたみも、すでに消えうせて、彼らはもはや日の下に行われるすべての事に、永久にかかわることがない。9:6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.
9:7あなたは行って、喜びをもってあなたのパンを食べ、楽しい心をもってあなたの酒を飲むがよい。神はすでに、あなたのわざをよみせられたからである。9:7 Go your way--eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.
9:8あなたの衣を常に白くせよ。あなたの頭に油を絶やすな。9:8 Let your garments be always white, and don't let your head lack oil.
9:9日の下で神から賜わったあなたの空なる命の日の間、あなたはその愛する妻と共に楽しく暮すがよい。これはあなたが世にあってうける分、あなたが日の下で労する労苦によって得るものだからである。9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity: for that is your portion in life, and in your labor in which you labor under the sun.
9:10すべてあなたの手のなしうる事は、力をつくしてなせ。あなたの行く陰府には、わざも、計略も、知識も、知恵もないからである。9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol {Sheol is the place of the dead.}, where you are going.
9:11わたしはまた日の下を見たが、必ずしも速い者が競走に勝つのではなく、強い者が戦いに勝つのでもない。また賢い者がパンを得るのでもなく、さとき者が富を得るのでもない。また知識ある者が恵みを得るのでもない。しかし時と災難はすべての人に臨む。9:11 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 favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
9:12人はその時を知らない。魚がわざわいの網にかかり、鳥がわなにかかるように、人の子らもわざわいの時が突然彼らに臨む時、それにかかるのである。9:12 For man also doesn't know his time. As the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.
9:13またわたしは日の下にこのような知恵の例を見た。これはわたしにとって大きな事である。9:13 I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me.
9:14ここに一つの小さい町があって、そこに住む人は少なかったが、大いなる王が攻めて来て、これを囲み、これに向かって大きな雲梯を建てた。9:14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.
9:15しかし、町のうちにひとりの貧しい知恵のある人がいて、その知恵をもって町を救った。ところがだれひとり、その貧しい人を記憶する者がなかった。9:15 Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
9:16そこでわたしは言う、「知恵は力にまさる。しかしかの貧しい人の知恵は軽んぜられ、その言葉は聞かれなかった」。9:16 Then I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
9:17静かに聞かれる知者の言葉は、愚かな者の中のつかさたる者の叫びにまさる。9:17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
9:18知恵は戦いの武器にまさる。しかし、ひとりの罪びとは多くの良きわざを滅ぼす。9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
10:1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
10:3 Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don't leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
10:7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
10:8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
10:9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.
10:10 If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
10:11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.
10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
10:14 A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
10:15 The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know how to go to the city.
10:16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
10:17 Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
10:18 By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
10:20 Don't curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don't curse the rich in your bedroom: for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
11:1 Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.
11:2 Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don't know what evil will be on the earth.
11:3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.
11:4 He who observes the wind won't sow; and he who regards the clouds won't reap.
11:5 As you don't know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you don't know the work of God who does all.
11:6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don't withhold your hand; for you don't know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.
11:7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.
11:8 Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity.
11:9 Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";
12:2 Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
12:3 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 who look out of the windows are darkened,
12:4 and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
12:5 yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be in the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets:
12:6 before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the spring, or the wheel broken at the cistern,
12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
12:8 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher. "All is vanity!"
12:9 Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
12:10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.
12:11 The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12:12 Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
12:13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.