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. 1Dead flies make a perfumer's oil ferment and stink; 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 person's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
3Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is. 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 flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses. 4If the ruler's anger rises against you, don't leave your post, for calmness puts 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 proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
6Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions. 6The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves. 7I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 8The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through 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 hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
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 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 snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble. 11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
12The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive. 12The words from the mouth of a wise person 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 the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking 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 will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?
15The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even 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 childish, and your princes feast in the morning! 16Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth and your 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, land, when your king is a son of nobles and your 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. 18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands 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 happy, and 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, 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.
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Ecclesiastes 9
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