Ecclesiastes 10
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King James BibleChristian Standard Bible
1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.1Dead flies make a perfumer's oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.2A wise person's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one 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 spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.4If the ruler's anger rises against you, don't leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.6The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.7I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.8The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.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.
11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.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 will swallow up himself.12The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.13The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness;
14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?14yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?
15The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.15The struggles of fools weary them, for they don't know how to go to the city.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!16Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning.
17Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, 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.
18By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life happy, and money is the answer for everything.
20Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.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.
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Ecclesiastes 9
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