Ecclesiastes 10
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1One dead fly makes the perfumer's ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom. 1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise person's good sense protects him, but a fool's lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. 2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is. 3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses. 4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes. 5There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions. 6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves. 7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them. 9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
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. 10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble. 11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive. 12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness, 13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future? 14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even know the way to the city. 15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning! 16Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
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. 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.
18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks. 18Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. 19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
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. 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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Ecclesiastes 9
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