Ecclesiastes 10
10
The Burden of Folly
1Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink; # Ex 30:25
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise man’s heart goes to the # Lit his right,
but a fool’s heart to the # Lit his left.
3Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense,
and he shows everyone he is a fool. # Pr 13:16; 18:2
4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your place, # Ec 8:3
for calmness puts great offenses to rest. # 1Sm 25:24-33; Pr 25:15
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
6The fool is appointed to great heights, # Est 3:1; Pr 28:12; 29:2
but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7I have seen slaves on horses, # Pr 19:10
but princes walking on the ground like slaves. # Est 6:8-10
8The one who digs a pit may fall into it, # Ps 7:15
and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. # Am 5:19
9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;
the one who splits trees may be endangered by them.
10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,
then one must exert more strength;
however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed, # Jr 8:17
then there is no advantage for the charmer. # Lit master of the tongue
12The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, # Pr 10:32; 22:11; Lk 4:22
but the lips of a fool consume him. # Pr 18:7
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly,
but the end of his speaking is evil madness.
14Yet the fool multiplies words.
No one knows what will happen,
and who can tell anyone what will happen after him? # Ec 8:7,17
15The struggles of fools weary them,
for they don’t know how to go to the city.
16Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth # Pr 30:21-22; Is 3:4,12
and your princes feast in the morning.
17Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles
and your princes feast at the proper time —
for strength and not for drunkenness. # Pr 31:4; Is 5:11
18Because of laziness the roof caves in,
and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
19A feast is prepared for laughter,
and wine makes life happy, # Ps 104:15
and money is the answer for everything. # Ec 7:12
20Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, # Ex 22:28
and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom, # 2Kg 6:12; Lk 12:3
for a bird of the sky may carry the message,
and a winged creature may report the matter.
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Ecclesiastes 10: HCSB
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© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Ecclesiastes 10
10
1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink and ferment; so a little folly is weightier than wisdom and honour. 2The heart of a wise man is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences. 5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error that proceedeth from the ruler: 6folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 8He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him. 9Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. 10If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success. 11If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14And the fool multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him? 15The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth. 19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything. 20Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
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First published in 1890. This edition is maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.