Ecclesiastes 10
1 As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Dead flies can make perfumed oil smell bad. Likewise a little foolishness outweighs great wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
The mind of the wise person chooses the right side, but the mind of the fool goes left!
3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
Just the way that fools walk down the road shows they have no sense, making clear to everyone their stupidity.
4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
If your superior gets angry with you, don't give up and leave. If you stay calm even bad mistakes can be resolved.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
I also realized there's another evil here on earth: rulers make a big mistake
6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
when they put fools in high positions, while those who are richly qualified are put in low positions.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
I've seen slaves riding on horseback, while princes walk on the ground like slaves.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
If you dig a pit, you could fall in. If you knock down a wall, you could be bitten by a snake.
9 The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
If you quarry stone, you could be injured. If you split logs, you could be hurt.
10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
If your ax is blunt and you don't sharpen it, you have to use a lot more force. Conclusion: being wise brings good results.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
If the snake bites the snake charmer before it's charmed, there's no benefit to the snake charmer!
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Wise words are beneficial, but fools destroy themselves by what they say.
13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Fools begin by saying foolish things, and end up talking evil nonsense.
14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
Fools talk on and on, however no one knows what's going to happen, so who can say what the future holds?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
Work makes fools so worn out they can't achieve anything.
16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
You're in trouble if the king of your country is young, and if your leaders are busy feasting from early morning.
17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.
You're fortunate if your king comes from a noble family, and your leaders feast at the proper time to give themselves energy, and not to get drunk.
18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
Lazy people let their roofs collapse; idle people don't repair their leaky houses.
19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
A good meal brings pleasure; wine makes life pleasant; money provides for all needs.
20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.
Don't talk badly about the king, not even in your thoughts. Don't talk badly about leaders, even in the privacy of your bedroom. A bird may hear what you say and fly away to tell them.
