Ecclesiastes 10 ~ Ecclesiastes 10

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1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: likewise a small act of folly unto him that is esteemed for wisdom and honour.

Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.

2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.

A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.

3 E ven when the fool walks by the way, he lacks prudence, and he says unto every one that he is a fool.

Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, do not leave thy place; for meekness pacifies great sins.

If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

5 T here is another evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler—

6 F olly is set in great dignity, and the rich are seated in a low place.

folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.

7 I saw slaves upon horses, and princes walking as slaves upon the earth.

I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

8 H e that digs a pit shall fall into it, and whosoever breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 W hosoever moves the stones shall have tribulation along with it, and he that cuts the firewood shall be endangered by it.

He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10 I f the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must put forth more strength, but the advantages of wisdom excel.

If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

11 I f the serpent bites without being enchanted, then the babbler is no more.

If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

12 The words from the mouth of the wise man are grace, but the lips of the fool will swallow up himself.

Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;

13 T he beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness.

14 T he fool multiplies words and says, Man cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

15 T he labour of the foolish wearies all of them because they do not know how to go to the city.

The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes banquet in the morning!

Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.

17 B lessed 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!

Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for strength and not for drunkenness.

18 B y much slothfulness the building decays, and through idleness of the hands the rain drips throughout the house.

Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.

19 T he banquet is made for pleasure, and wine makes merry; but money answers all things.

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

20 D o not curse the king, not even in thy thought; and do not curse the rich even in the secret place of thy bedchamber; for the birds of the air shall carry the voice, and those who have wings shall tell the matter.

Furthermore, 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.