Ecclesiastes 10

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

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 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 Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone 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 rises up against you, do not leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

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, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an 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 low place.

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

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

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

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

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

Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall be endangered thereby.

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

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

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 a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

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 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 multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will 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 labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know 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 you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning.

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

17 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.

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

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 makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.

A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things.

20 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.

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.