Ecclesiastes 10
10
Miscellaneous Observations
1Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a foul odor;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of a fool to the left.
3Even when fools walk on the road, they lack sense,
and show to everyone that they are fools.
4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post,
for calmness will undo great offenses.
5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler: 6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves.
8Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.
9Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them;
and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.
10If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge,
then more strength must be exerted;
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage in a charmer.
12Words spoken by the wise bring them favor,
but the lips of fools consume them.
13The words of their mouths begin in foolishness,
and their talk ends in wicked madness;
14yet fools talk on and on.
No one knows what is to happen,
and who can tell anyone what the future holds?
15The toil of fools wears them out,
for they do not even know the way to town.
16Alas for you, O land, when your king is a servant,#10.16 Or a child
and your princes feast in the morning!
17Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman,
and your princes feast at the proper time—
for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.
19Feasts are made for laughter;
wine gladdens life,
and money meets every need.
20Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich, even in your bedroom;
for a bird of the air may carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.
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Ecclesiastes 10: NRSV
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Ecclesiastes 10
10
1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odour;
so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand,
but a fool’s heart at his left. 3Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. 4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offences to rest.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler. 6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth. 8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it. 10If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue. 12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14A fool also multiplies words.
Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him? 15The labour of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child,
and your princes eat in the morning!
17Happy 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 sinks in;
and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter,
and wine makes the life glad;
and money is the answer for all things.
20Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts;
and don’t 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.
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