King James Version KJV
New International Version NIV
15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
15
The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
16
Woe to the land whose king was a servantand whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Blessed 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!
17
Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.
18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
18
Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
19
A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.
20 Curse 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.
20
Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.