Ecclesiastes 10
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1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.1Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.2A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.
3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.3Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.9He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.12The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?14A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?
15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!
17Blessed 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.17Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.18Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.19Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
20Do 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.20Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.
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Ecclesiastes 9
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