Ecclesiastes 10
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1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.1Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.2A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.
3Yea 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.3Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.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 which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth 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 set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.9He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.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 will swallow up himself.12The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?14A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?
15The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!
17Blessed 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!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!
18By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.18Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.19Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
20Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.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.
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
Ecclesiastes 9
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