我见日光之下，有一件祸患，似乎出于掌权的错误，
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
就是愚昧人立在高位。富足人坐在低位。
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
我见过仆人骑马，王子像仆人在地上步行。
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
挖陷坑的，自己必掉在其中。拆墙垣的，必被蛇所咬。
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
凿开（或作挪移）石头的，必受损伤。擘开木头的，必遭危险。
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
铁器钝了，若不将刃磨快，就必多费气力。但得智慧指教，便有益处。
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.
未行法术以先，蛇若咬人，后行法术也是无益。
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
愚昧人多有言语，人却不知将来有什么事。他身后的事，谁能告诉他呢。
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
凡愚昧人，他的劳碌使自己困乏。因为连进城的路他也不知道。
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
邦国阿，你的王若是贵胄之子，你的群臣按时吃喝，为要捕力，不为酒醉，你就有福了。
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!