Jubilee2000 - Ecclesiastes - 10

10:1  Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: likewise a small act of folly unto him [that is] esteemed for wisdom [and] honour.

10:2  A wise man's heart [is] at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.

10:3  Even when the fool walks by the way, he lacks prudence, and he says unto every one [that] he [is] a fool.

10:4  If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, do not leave thy place; for meekness pacifies great sins.

10:5  There is [another] evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceeds from the ruler:

10:6  Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich are seated in [a] low place.

10:7  I saw servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

10:8  He that digs a pit shall fall into it, and whosoever breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

10:9  Whosoever moves the stones shall have tribulation along with it, [and] he that cuts the firewood shall be endangered by it.

10:10  If the iron is blunt, and he does not whet the edge, [then he must] put forth more strength, but the advantages of wisdom excel.

10:11  If the serpent bites without being enchanted, then the babbler is no more.

10:12  The words from the mouth of the wise man [are] grace, but the lips of the fool will swallow up himself.

10:13  The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness, and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness.

10:14  The fool multiplies words [and says], Man cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

10:15  The labour of the foolish wearies all of them because they do not know how to go to the city.

10:16  Woe to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a child, and thy princes banquet in the morning!

10:17  Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season for strength, and not for drunkenness!

10:18  By much slothfulness the building decays, and through idleness of the hands [the rain] drips throughout the house.

10:19  The banquet is made for pleasure, and wine makes merry; but money answers all [things].

10:20  Do not curse the king, not even in thy thought; and do not curse the rich even in the secret [place] of thy bedchamber; for the birds of the air shall carry the voice, and those who have wings shall tell the matter.: