Ecclesiastes 10
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1Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs 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 inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.2A wise person's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
3Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to 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 anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.4If the ruler's anger rises against you, don't leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were 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 many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.6The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.7I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.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 is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.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.
11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.12The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.13The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness;
14A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and 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 toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way 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.
17Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, 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.
18Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
19Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life happy, and money is the answer for everything.
20Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature 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.
ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Ecclesiastes 9
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