Parallel Bible results for "ecclesiastes 10"

Ecclesiastes 10

New International Version NIV

1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.

3 Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.

4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:

6 Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.

7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.

12 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

13 At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness—

14 and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming— who can tell someone else what will happen after them?

15 The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.

16 Woe to the land whose king was a servantand whose princes feast in the morning.

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 Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.

19 A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.

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.

New Revised Standard NRS

1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a foul odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

3 Even when fools walk on the road, they lack sense, and show to everyone that they are fools.

4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness will undo great offenses.

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler:

6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

7 I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves.

8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.

9 Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them; and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, then more strength must be exerted; but wisdom helps one to succeed.

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage in a charmer.

12 Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them.

13 The words of their mouths begin in foolishness, and their talk ends in wicked madness;

14 yet fools talk on and on. No one knows what is to happen, and who can tell anyone what the future holds?

15 The toil of fools wears them out, for they do not even know the way to town.

16 Alas for you, O land, when your king is a servant, and your princes feast in the morning!

17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman, and your princes feast at the proper time— for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

19 Feasts are made for laughter; wine gladdens life, and money meets every need.

20 Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts, or curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.