Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dying flies spoil the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a small and shortlived folly.

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

2 The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a fool is in his left hand.

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

3 Yea, and the fool when he walketh in the way, whereas be himself is a fool, esteemeth all men fools.

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 him that hath power, ascend upon thee, leave not thy place: because care will make the greatest sins to cease.

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 that I have seen under the sun, as it were by an error proceeding from the face of the prince:

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

6 A fool set in high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath.

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

7 I have seen servants upon horses: and princes walking on the ground as servants.

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 he that breaketh a hedge, 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 He that removeth stones, shall be hurt by them: and he that cutteth trees, shall be wounded by them.

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

10 If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom.

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

11 If a serpent bite in silence, he is nothing better that backbiteth secretly.

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

12 The words of the mouth of a wise man are grace: but the lips of a fool shall throw him down headlong.

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

13 The beginning of his words is folly, and the end of his talk is a mischievous error.

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

14 A fool multiplieth words. A man cannot tell what hath been before him: and what 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 labour of fools shall afflict them that know not bow 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 when the princes eat in the morning.

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

17 Blessed is the land, whose king is noble, and whose princes eat in due season for refreshment, and not for riotousness.

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 a building shall be brought down, and through the weakness of hands, the house shall drop through.

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

19 For laughter they make bread, and wine that the living may feast: and all things obey money.

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

20 Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.

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.