| NET Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1One dead fly makes the perfumer's ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom. | 1Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. |
| 2A wise person's good sense protects him, but a fool's lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. | 2A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. |
| 3Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is. | 3Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. |
| 4If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses. | 4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. |
| 5I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes. | 5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: |
| 6Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions. | 6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. |
| 7I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves. | 7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves. |
| 8One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. | 8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. |
| 9One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them. | 9He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them. |
| 10If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success. | 10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. |
| 11If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble. | 11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. |
| 12The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive. | 12The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. |
| 13At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness, | 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. |
| 14yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future? | 14A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him? |
| 15The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even know the way to the city. | 15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. |
| 16Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning! | 16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! |
| 17Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time--with self-control and not in drunkenness. | 17Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness! |
| 18Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks. | 18Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. |
| 19Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. | 19Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything. |
| 20Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words. | 20Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter. |
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