Ecclesiastes 10 – read and compare multiple versions
Ecclesiastes 10
[1] 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 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. [4] If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest. [5] 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 a low place. [7] I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like 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 snake. [9] Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it. [10] If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. [11] 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 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. [14] 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 labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
[16] Woe to you, land, when your king is a child,
and your princes eat in the morning!
[17] 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 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.
[20] Don’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.
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 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. [4] If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest. [5] 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 a low place. [7] I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like 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 snake. [9] Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it. [10] If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. [11] 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 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. [14] 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 labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
[16] Woe to you, land, when your king is a child,
and your princes eat in the morning!
[17] 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 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.
[20] Don’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.