Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth an offensive odor: [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honor.

2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

A wise man's heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool's heart [is] at his left.

3 Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he says to every one that he is a fool.

Also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he [is] a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.

If the spirit of the ruler riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:

There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceedeth from the ruler:

6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.

I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9 Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall be endangered thereby.

Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; [and] he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered by it.

10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness: and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness.

14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

15 The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.

The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!

Woe to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things.

A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all [things].

20 Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber: for a bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.