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

Dead flies make a perfume maker’s oil smell bad. So does acting a little foolish weigh more than wisdom and honor.

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

A wise man’s heart leads him toward the right. But the foolish man’s heart leads him toward the left.

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

Even when the fool walks on the road, he has little understanding and shows everyone that he is a fool.

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

If the ruler becomes angry with you, do not back away. If you are quiet, much wrong-doing may be put aside.

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

There is a sin I have seen under the sun, like a mistake done by a ruler:

6 f olly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.

Fools are put in many places of honor, while rich men sit in places that are not important.

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

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

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

He who digs a deep hole may fall into it. And a snake may bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 H e who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.

He who cuts stones may be hurt by them. And he who cuts trees may be in danger by them.

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

If the ax is not sharp and he does not make it sharp, then he must use more strength. Wisdom helps one to do well.

11 I f the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

If the snake bites before it is put under a man’s power, it will not be of help to the man who would have power over it.

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

The words of a wise man’s mouth are kind, but the lips of a fool destroy him.

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

The beginning of his talking is foolish, and the end of it is sinful and crazy.

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

Yet the fool speaks many words. No man knows what will happen. And who can tell him what will come after him?

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

The work of a fool makes him so tired that he does not even know the way to a city.

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

It is bad for you, O land, when your king is a child and your princes eat too much in the morning.

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

Happy are you, O land, when your king is from parents who have ruled, and your princes eat at the right time, for strength and not to get drunk.

18 T hrough indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.

When men are lazy, the roof begins to fall in. When they will do no work, the rain comes into the house.

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

Food is made ready to be enjoyed, wine makes life happy, but money is the answer to everything.

20 F urthermore, 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.

Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse a rich man in your bedroom because a bird of the heavens will carry your voice and an animal with wings will make it known.