Ecclesiastes 10
1 As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer loathsome and corrupt; thus doth a little folly weigh down wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
A wise man's mind is at his right hand; but a fool's mind is at his left.
3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
Yea, even when the fool walketh in the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
If the anger of a ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place! for gentleness pacifieth great offences.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun; an error which proceedeth from a ruler.
6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
Folly is set in many high stations, and the noble sit in a low place.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants on foot.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh down a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
9 The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith, and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put forth more strength; but an advantage for giving success hath wisdom.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
If a serpent bite before he is charmed, then there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool are his destruction.
13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
A fool also multiplieth words, though no man knoweth what shall be; and who can tell him what shall be after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
The labor of the foolish man wearieth him, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes feast in the 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.
Happy thou, O land, when thy king is a noble, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and by the slackness of the hands the house leaketh.
19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answereth all things.
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.
Curse not the king; no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber! for a bird of the air shall carry the voice; and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
