Parallel Bible results for "ecclesiastes 10"

Ecclesiastes 10

Revised Standard Version RSV

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

2 A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left.

3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to every one that he is a fool.

4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for deference will make amends for great offenses.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding 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 horses, and princes walking on foot like slaves.

8 He who digs a pit will fall into it; and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them; and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge, he must put forth more strength; but wisdom helps one to succeed.

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

12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness.

14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

15 The toil of a fool wearies him, so that he does not know the way to the city.

16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!

17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of free men, 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 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

20 Even in your thought, do not curse the king, nor in your bedchamber curse the rich; for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

Good News Translation GNT

1 Dead flies can make a whole bottle of perfume stink, and a little stupidity can cancel out the greatest wisdom.

2 It is natural for the wise to do the right thing and for fools to do the wrong thing.

3 Their stupidity will be evident even to strangers they meet along the way; they let everyone know that they are fools.

4 If your ruler becomes angry with you, do not hand in your resignation; serious wrongs may be pardoned if you keep calm.

5 Here is an injustice I have seen in the world - an injustice caused by rulers.

6 Stupid people are given positions of authority while the rich are ignored.

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

8 If you dig a pit, you fall in it; if you break through a wall, a snake bites you.

9 If you work in a stone quarry, you get hurt by stones. If you split wood, you get hurt doing it.

10 If your ax is dull and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead.

11 Knowing how to charm a snake is of no use if you let the snake bite first.

12 What the wise say brings them honor, but fools are destroyed by their own words.

13 They start out with silly talk and end up with pure madness.

14 A fool talks on and on. No one knows what is going to happen next, and no one can tell us what will happen after we die.

15 Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work.

16 A country is in trouble when its king is a youth and its leaders feast all night long.

17 But a country is fortunate to have a king who makes his own decisions and leaders who eat at the proper time, who control themselves and don't get drunk.

18 When you are too lazy to repair your roof, it will leak, and the house will fall in.

19 Feasting makes you happy and wine cheers you up, but you can't have either without money.

20 Don't criticize the king, even silently, and don't criticize the rich, even in the privacy of your bedroom. A bird might carry the message and tell them what you said.