Ecclesiastes 10
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King James BibleInternational Standard Version
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.1As dead flies cause the perfumer's ointment to stink, so also does a little foolishness to one's reputation of 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 tends toward his right, but a fool's heart tends toward his 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.3Furthermore, the way a fool lives shows he has no sense; he proclaims to everyone that he's a fool.
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.4If your overseer gets angry at you, don't resign, because calmness pacifies great offenses.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:5Here's another tragedy that I've observed on earth, a kind of error that comes from an overseer:
6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.6Foolishness is given great honor, while the prosperous sit in lowly places.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.7And I have observed servants riding on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.
8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall may suffer a snake bite.
9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.9Someone who quarries stone might be injured; someone splitting logs can fall into danger.
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 someone's ax is blunt—the edge isn't sharpened— then more strength will be needed. Putting wisdom to work will bring success.
11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.11If a serpent strikes despite being charmed, there's no point in being a snake charmer.
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.12The words spoken by the wise are gracious, but the lips of a fool will devour him.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.13He begins his speech with foolishness, and concludes it with 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?14The fool overflows with words, and no one can predict what will happen. As to what will happen after him, who can explain it?
15The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.15The work of a fool so wears him out that he can't even find his way to town.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!16Woe to the land whose king is a youth and whose 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!17That land is blessed whose king is of noble birth, whose princes feast at the right time, for strength, and not to become drunk.
18By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.18Through slothfulness the roof deteriorates, and a house leaks because of idleness.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.19Festivals are for laughter, wine makes life pleasant, and money speaks to 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.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.
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.
Ecclesiastes 9
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