Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh 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 is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.

3 Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.

Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.

If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.

6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.

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

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.

He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a serpent.

9 Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.

10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

11 If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

14 A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?

15 The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.

The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know how to go to the city.

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

Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning.

17 Happy 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, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness.

18 By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.

By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.

A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.

20 Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Do not curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and do not curse the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.