Ecclesiastes 10
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New American Standard Bible 1995Berean Study Bible
1Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left.2A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.3Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler--5There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.6Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.9The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
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.10If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.11If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness.13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.16Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.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.
18Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.18Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
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.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.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.orgThe Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.
Ecclesiastes 9
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