| Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
| 1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. | 1One dead fly makes the perfumer's ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom. |
| 2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. | 2A wise person's good sense protects him, but a fool's lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. |
| 3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. | 3Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is. |
| 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 flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses. |
| 5There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler: | 5I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes. |
| 6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions. | 6Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions. |
| 7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. | 7I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking 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. | 8One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who 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. | 9One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who 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 an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success. |
| 11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. | 11If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble. |
| 12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. | 12The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive. |
| 13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. | 13At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness, |
| 14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? | 14yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future? |
| 15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. | 15The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even 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 childish, 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. | 17Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time--with self-control and not in drunkenness. |
| 18Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks. | 18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and 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. | 19Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but 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 curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words. |
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