Ecclesiastes 10

1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.

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

2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

2The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

3Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

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.

3Yea 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.

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 rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.

4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:

5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

6folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

6folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.

6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.

7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.

8He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.

8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

9Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

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 iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.

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

11If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.

11If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.

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

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 the lips of a fool swallow up himself.

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous 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?

14And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?

14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.

15The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.

15The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth 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!

16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

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 the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

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!

17Blessed 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!

18By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.

18By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.

18By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

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 maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.

19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

20Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

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.

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.