Jubilee Bible 2000 JUB
New International Version NIV
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: likewise a small act of folly unto him <em>that is</em> esteemed for wisdom <em>and</em> honour.
1
As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart <em>is</em> at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
2
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks by the way, he lacks prudence, and he says unto every one <em>that</em> he <em>is</em> a fool.
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Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, do not leave thy place; for meekness pacifies great sins.
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If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.
5 There is <em>another</em> evil <em>which</em> I have seen under the sun, as an error <em>which</em> proceeds from the ruler:
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There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich are seated in <em>a</em> low place.
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Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
7 I saw slaves upon horses, and princes walking as slaves upon the earth.
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I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 He that digs a pit shall fall into it, and whosoever breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
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Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Whosoever moves the stones shall have tribulation along with it, <em>and</em> he that cuts the firewood shall be endangered by it.
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Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, <em>then he must</em> put forth more strength, but the advantages of wisdom excel.
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If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.
11 If the serpent bites without being enchanted, then the babbler is no more.
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If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.
12 The words from the mouth of the wise man <em>are</em> grace, but the lips of the fool will swallow up himself.
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Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth <em>is</em> foolishness, and the end of his talk <em>is</em> mischievous madness.
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At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness—
14 The fool multiplies words <em>and says</em>, Man cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
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and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming— who can tell someone else what will happen after them?
15 The labour of the foolish wearies all of them because they do not know how to go to the city.
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The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king <em>is</em> a child, and thy princes banquet in the morning!
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Woe to the land whose king was a servantand whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Blessed <em>art</em> thou, O land, when thy king <em>is</em> the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season for strength, and not for drunkenness!
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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 decays, and through idleness of the hands <em>the rain</em> drips throughout the house.
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Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.
19 The banquet is made for pleasure, and wine makes merry; but money answers all <em>things</em>.
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A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.
20 Do not curse the king, not even in thy thought; and do not curse the rich even in the secret <em>place</em> of thy bedchamber; for the birds of the air shall carry the voice, and those who have 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 Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010
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.