Ecclesiastes 10
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1Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.1Dead flies make a perfumer's oil ferment and stink; 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 person's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
3Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.3Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense, and he shows everyone he is a fool.
4If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.4If the ruler's anger rises against you, don't leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
6Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.6The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.7I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.8The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
11A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;12The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.13The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness;
14A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?14yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?
15The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city!15The struggles of fools weary them, for they don't know how to go to the city.
16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning!16Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning.
17Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time— For strength and not for drunkenness!17Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles and your princes feast at the proper time--for strength and not for drunkenness.
18Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
19A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life happy, and money is the answer for everything.
20Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.20Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry the message, and a winged creature may report the matter.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Ecclesiastes 9
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