Ecclesiastes 10
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1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, 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 to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.2A wise person's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows 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 ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays 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 I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.6The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.7I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches 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.
9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces 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 bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for 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 are gracious, 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 his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.13The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness;
14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come 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 whose king is a youth, and whose 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 whose king is a son of nobles, and whose 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 laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
19A feast is prepared 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 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.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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