Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give out an evil smell; more valued is a little wisdom than the great glory of the foolish.
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise man goes in the right direction; but the heart of a foolish man in the wrong.
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 And when the foolish man is walking in the way, he has no sense and lets everyone see that he is foolish.
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the wrath of the ruler is against you, keep in your place; in him who keeps quiet even great sins may be overlooked.
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which comes by chance from a ruler:
There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 The foolish are placed in high positions, but men of wealth are kept low.
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 I have seen servants on horses, and rulers walking on the earth as servants.
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 He who makes a hole for others will himself go into it, and for him who makes a hole through a wall the bite of a snake will be a punishment.
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 He who gets out stones from the earth will be damaged by them, and in the cutting of wood there is danger.
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10 If the iron has no edge, and he does not make it sharp, then he has to put out more strength; but wisdom makes things go well.
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 If a snake gives a bite before the word of power is said, then there is no longer any use in the word of power.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The first words of his mouth are foolish, and the end of his talk is evil crime.
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14 The foolish are full of words; man has no knowledge of what will be; and who is able to say what will be after him?
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 The work of the foolish will be a weariness to him, because he has no knowledge of the way to the town.
The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 Unhappy is the land whose king is a boy, and whose rulers are feasting in the morning.
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Happy is the land whose ruler is of noble birth, and whose chiefs take food at the right time, for strength and not for feasting.
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.
18 When no work is done the roof goes in, and when the hands do nothing water comes into the house.
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 A feast is for laughing, and wine makes glad the heart; but by the one and the other money is wasted.
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 Say not a curse against the king, even in your thoughts; and even secretly say not a curse against the man of wealth; because a bird of the air will take the voice, and that which has wings will give news of it.
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.
