Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth a stinking odour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce 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 is at his left.

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

3 Also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom 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 riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth 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 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 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 as 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 whoever breaketh an 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 snake.

9 Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; and he that cutteth wood shall be endangered by it.

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

10 If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

If the ax is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

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

If the snake 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 is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

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

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

The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he does not 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 Blessed 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!

Happy 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 much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

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 merry: but 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 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.

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