Ecclesiastes 10
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
World English Bible
1Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
2A wise man's understanding is at his right hand; but a fool's understanding at his left.
2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
3Yea also, when a fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
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 rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.
4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceedeth from a ruler:
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6Folly is set on great heights, and the rich sit in low place.
6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.
8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9Whoso quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
10If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct.
10If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then the charmer hath no advantage.
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 the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
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 grievous madness.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also multiplieth words; yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
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 wearieth every one of them, for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a boy, and thy princes feast in the morning!
16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a free man, and thy princes eat in due season, in strength, and not in drunkenness!
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!
18By slothfulness the rafters sink in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.
18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
20Curse 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.
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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