Ecclesiastes 10
10
1Dead flies make #Ex. 30:25the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 # [ch. 2:14] A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
3Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
and he #[Prov. 13:16; 18:2]says to everyone that he is a fool.
4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, #[ch. 8:3] do not leave your place,
# [1 Sam. 25:24, 32, 33]; See Prov. 25:15 for calmness#10:4 Hebrew healing will lay great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were #ch. 5:6an error proceeding from the ruler: 6#[Esth. 3:1; Prov. 28:12; 29:2]folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7#Prov. 19:10; [Prov. 30:22] I have seen slaves #[Esth. 6:8]on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He who #See Ps. 7:15 digs a pit will fall into it,
and #Amos 5:19a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 # [1 Chr. 22:2] He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who #[Deut. 19:5]splits logs is endangered by them.
10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.#10:10 Or wisdom is an advantage for success
11If the serpent bites before it is #[Jer. 8:17]charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth #Prov. 10:32; 22:11; [Luke 4:22] win him favor,#10:12 Or are gracious
but #See Prov. 18:7the lips of a fool consume him.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 # See Prov. 15:2 A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be,
and who can tell him #See ch. 3:22what will be after him?
15The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know #[Isa. 35:8]the way to the city.
16 #
Isa. 3:4, 12; [2 Chr. 13:7] Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
and your princes feast in the morning!
17Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
and your princes feast at the proper time,
for strength, and not for #[Prov. 31:4; Isa. 5:11]drunkenness!
18Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.
19Bread is made for laughter,
and #See Ps. 104:15 wine gladdens life,
and #[ch. 7:12]money answers everything.
20Even in your thoughts, #Ex. 22:28 do not curse the king,
nor in your #See 2 Kgs. 6:12; Luke 12:3bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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