| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 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 man'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 place, 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 trees 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 man 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 of 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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