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.1As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.
2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.2A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.
3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.3You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!
4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.4If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes. The Ironies of Life
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:5There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake
6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.6when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.
7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.7I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!
8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.8When you dig a well, you might fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake.
9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.9When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax.
10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.10Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.11If a snake bites before you charm it, what’s the use of being a snake charmer?
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.12Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words.
13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.13Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness;
14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?14they chatter on and on. No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future.
15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.15Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can’t even find their way home.
16Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.16What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders 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.17Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.
18Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.18Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house.
19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.19A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives 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.20Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don’t make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said.
The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Ecclesiastes 9
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