Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dying flies spoil the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a small and shortlived folly.
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a fool is in his left hand.
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 Yea, and the fool when he walketh in the way, whereas be himself is a fool, esteemeth all men fools.
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of him that hath power, ascend upon thee, leave not thy place: because care will make the greatest sins to cease.
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 that I have seen under the sun, as it were by an error proceeding from the face of the prince:
There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 A fool set in high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath.
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 I have seen servants upon horses: and princes walking on the ground as servants.
I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 He that removeth stones, shall be hurt by them: and he that cutteth trees, shall be wounded by them.
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10 If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom.
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 If a serpent bite in silence, he is nothing better that backbiteth secretly.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 The words of the mouth of a wise man are grace: but the lips of a fool shall throw him down headlong.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of his words is folly, and the end of his talk is a mischievous error.
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14 A fool multiplieth words. A man cannot tell what hath been before him: and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 The labour of fools shall afflict them that know not bow to go to the city.
The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and when the princes eat in the morning.
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Blessed is the land, whose king is noble, and whose princes eat in due season for refreshment, and not for riotousness.
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 By slothfulness a building shall be brought down, and through the weakness of hands, the house shall drop through.
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 For laughter they make bread, and wine that the living may feast: and all things obey money.
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.
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.
