Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.

2 A wise man's understanding is at his right hand; but a fool's understanding 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 a fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he says to every one 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 rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceedeth from a ruler:

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:

6 Folly is set on great heights, and the rich sit in low place.

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

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

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

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

He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9 Whoso quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall 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 iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

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

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

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 the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is grievous 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 is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

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

The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.

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

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

17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a free man, and thy princes eat in due season, in strength, and not in drunkenness!

Blessed are you, O 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 rafters sink in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.

By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.

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 merry: but money answers all things.

20 Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought, and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.