Ecclesiastes 10 ISV BSB Parallel

◄ Ecclesiastes 10 ►

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Berean Study Bible

1As dead flies cause the perfumer's ointment to stink, so also does a little foolishness to one's reputation of wisdom and honor.

1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2A wise man's heart tends toward his right, but a fool's heart tends toward his left.

2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

3Furthermore, the way a fool lives shows he has no sense; he proclaims to everyone that he's a fool.

3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

4If your overseer gets angry at you, don't resign, because calmness pacifies great offenses.

4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

5Here's another tragedy that I've observed on earth, a kind of error that comes from an overseer:

5There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:

6Foolishness is given great honor, while the prosperous sit in lowly places.

6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.

7And I have observed servants riding on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.

7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall may suffer a snake bite.

8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9Someone who quarries stone might be injured; someone splitting logs can fall into danger.

9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.

10If someone's ax is blunt—the edge isn't sharpened— then more strength will be needed. Putting wisdom to work will bring success.

10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.

11If a serpent strikes despite being charmed, there's no point in being a snake charmer.

11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

12The words spoken by the wise are gracious, but the lips of a fool will devour him.

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

13He begins his speech with foolishness, and concludes it with evil madness.

13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

14The fool overflows with words, and no one can predict what will happen. As to what will happen after him, who can explain it?

14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

15The work of a fool so wears him out that he can't even find his way to town.

15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

16Woe to the land whose king is a youth and whose princes feast in the morning.

16Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.

17That land is blessed whose king is of noble birth, whose princes feast at the right time, for strength, and not to become drunk.

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.

18Through slothfulness the roof deteriorates, and a house leaks because of idleness.

18Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

19Festivals are for laughter, wine makes life pleasant, and money speaks to everything.

19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

20Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts. Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom. For a bird will fly by and tell what you say, or something with wings may talk about it.

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.

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