| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. | 1As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, 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. | 2The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool 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 as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are. |
| 4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest. | 4If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can 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 I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: |
| 6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions. | 6Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. |
| 7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. | 7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. |
| 8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake. | 8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. |
| 9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself. | 9Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. |
| 10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success. | 10If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. |
| 11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. | 11If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee. |
| 12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. | 12Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. |
| 13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. | 13At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness-- |
| 14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? | 14and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell someone else what will happen after them? |
| 15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. | 15The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town. |
| 16Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. | 16Woe to the land whose king was a servant and whose 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. | 17Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a 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 laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks. |
| 19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. | 19A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for 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. | 20Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say. |
|
