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.

GOD'S WORD Translation GW

1 Dead flies will make a bottle of perfume stink, and then it is spoiled. A little foolishness outweighs wisdom [and] honor.

2 A wise person's heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way.

3 Even when a fool goes walking, he has no sense and shows everyone else that he's a fool.

4 If a ruler becomes angry with you, don't resign your position. If you remain calm, you can make up for serious offenses.

5 There is a tragedy that I've seen under the sun, an error often made by rulers.

6 Foolish people are often given high positions, and rich people are left to fill lower positions.

7 I have seen slaves sitting on horses and influential people going on foot like slaves.

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

9 Whoever works in a stone quarry may get hurt. Whoever splits wood may be injured.

10 If an ax is blunt and the edge isn't sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success.

11 If a snake bites before it has been charmed, then there is no advantage in being a snake charmer.

12 A wise person's words win favors, but a fool's lips are self-destructive.

13 A fool starts out by talking foolishness and ends up saying crazy things that are dangerous.

14 He never stops talking. No one knows what the future will bring, or what will happen after [death]. Who can say!

15 Fools wear themselves out with hard work, because they don't even know the way to town.

16 How horrible it will be for any country where the king used to be a servant and where the high officials throw parties in the morning.

17 A country is blessed when the king is from a noble family and when the high officials eat at the right time in order to get strength and not to get drunk.

18 A roof sags because of laziness. A house leaks because of idle hands.

19 A meal is made for laughter, and wine makes life pleasant, but money is the answer for everything.

20 Don't curse the king even in your thoughts, and don't curse rich people even in your bedroom. A bird may carry your words, or some winged creature may repeat what you say.