Ecclesiastes 10
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New International VersionNew American Standard Bible 1995
1As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.1Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.
2The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.2A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left.
3Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.3Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.
4If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.4If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler--
6Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.6folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.
7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.7I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.
8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.
9Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.9He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.10If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
11If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.11If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.12Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;
13At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--13the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness.
14and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell someone else what will happen after them?14Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.15The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.
16Woe to the land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.16Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.
17Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.17Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.
18Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.18Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.
19A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.19Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.
20Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.20Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known.
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Ecclesiastes 9
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