Qoelet (جامعة) 4

SMITH VAN DYKE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 ثم رجعت ورأيت كل المظالم التي تجرى تحت الشمس فهوذا دموع المظلومين ولا معزّ لهم ومن يد ظالميهم قهر. اما هم فلا معزّ لهم.	1 I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2 فغبطت انا الاموات الذين قد ماتوا منذ زمان اكثر من الاحياء الذين هم عائشون بعد	2 And I praised the dead rather than the living:
3 وخير من كليهما الذي لم يولد بعد الذي لم ير العمل الرديء الذي عمل تحت الشمس	3 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4 ورأيت كل التعب وكل فلاح عمل انه حسد الانسان من قريبه. وهذا ايضا باطل وقبض الريح.	4 Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
5 الكسلان ياكل لحمه وهو طاو يديه.	5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6 حفنة راحة خير من حفنتي تعب وقبض الريح	6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
7 ثم عدت ورأيت باطلا تحت الشمس.	7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
8 يوجد واحد ولا ثاني له وليس له ابن ولا اخ ولا نهاية لكل تعبه ولا تشبع عينه من الغنى. فلمن اتعب انا واحرم نفسي الخير. هذا ايضا باطل وامر رديء هو.	8 There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9 اثنان خير من واحد لان لهما اجرة لتعبهما صالحة.	9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
10 لانه ان وقع احدهما يقيمه رفيقه. وويل لمن هو وحده ان وقع اذ ليس ثان ليقيمه.	10 If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11 ايضا ان اضطجع اثنان يكون لهما دفء. اما الوحد فكيف يدفأ.	11 And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12 وان غلب احد على الواحد يقف مقابله الاثنان والخيط المثلوث لا ينقطع سريعا	12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13 ولد فقير وحكيم خير من ملك شيخ جاهل الذي لا يعرف ان يحذر بعد.	13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14 لانه من السجن خرج الى الملك والمولود ملكا قد يفتقر.	14 Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15 رأيت كل الاحياء السائرين تحت الشمس مع الولد الثاني الذي يقوم عوضا عنه.	15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
16 لا نهاية لكل الشعب لكل الذين كان امامهم. ايضا المتأخرون لا يفرحون به. فهذا ايضا باطل وقبض الريح	16 The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
	17 Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.