Ecc 10 | RWebs | STEP | Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth a stinking odour : so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour .

‏ Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth a stinking odour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. ^{▼▼Dead...: Heb. Flies of death} 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart is at his left. 3 Also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. ^{▼▼his...: Heb. his heart}

4 If the spirit of the ruler riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. 5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: ^{▼▼from: Heb. from before} 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. ^{▼▼in great...: Heb. in great heights} 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; and he that cutteth wood shall be endangered by it. 10 If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. ^{▼▼a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue}

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. ^{▼▼gracious: Heb. grace} 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. ^{▼▼his talk: Heb. his mouth} 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? ^{▼▼is full...: Heb. multiplieth words} 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 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! 18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things . ^{▼▼maketh...: Heb. maketh glad the life} 20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. ^{▼▼thought: or, conscience}