Ecclesiastes 10

1 As dead [lifeless, without vitality] flies [a type of stinging insect] bring a stench [an offensive odor, to smell bad] to the perfumer’s [one who mixes, compounds] oil [olive oil], so a little [small in amount, few] folly [foolish, silly behavior] outweighs [surpasses, has more influence] wisdom [skill, prudence, good judgment] and honor [great esteem, glory]. word study 2 A wise [intelligent, skilled, prudent] man’s heart [feelings, will, and intellect] inclines [tends, leans] to the right [the right hand or side; the south], but the heart [feelings, will, and intellect] of a fool [stupid, silly, rejecting God] to the left [wrong direction]. word study 3 Even as [also, too] the fool [a foolish person, lacking sense] walks along the road [way, path], his sense [heart, understanding] is lacking [deficient, failing], and he shows [declares, reveals] everyone that he is a fool [lacking wisdom, foolish]. word study 4 If the ruler’s [spirit, or mind] temper [anger, wrath, or irritation] flares against you, do not [give up, or leave] abandon your post [position, place, or role], for calmness [gentleness, yielding, or peacefulness] lays [pacifies, quiets, or settles] great [serious, significant, or numerous] offenses [sins, wrongs, or transgressions] to rest [be still, cease, or come to an end]. word study 5 There is [exists, has being] an evil [moral or natural harm] I have seen [observed, looked after] under [below, in the presence of] the sun [the celestial body]— an error [unintentional mistake, sin] that proceeds [goes out, comes from] from the ruler [one in charge, having power over others, a leader]: word study 6 Folly [foolish behavior, silliness] is appointed [set, given] to great [high, elevated] heights [positions of power], but the rich [wealthy, noble] sit [dwell, remain] in lowly [humble, impoverished] positions [places of little influence]. word study 7 I have seen [servants, bondmen] slaves [those in bondage] on horseback [chariot horses, steeds], while princes [rulers, leaders] go on foot [walking, traveling] like slaves [servants, those in subjection]. word study 8 He who digs [to search, excavate] a pit [a hole or cavity in the ground] may fall [to come down, sink] into it, and he who breaches [breaks through, tears down] a wall [a barrier, fence] may be bitten [to wound, pierce] by a snake. word study 9 The one who quarries [removes, sets out] stones [rocks, precious gems] may be injured [hurt, grieved] by them, and he who splits [breaks, cleaves] logs [trees, wood] endangers [puts in danger, impovershes] himself. word study 10 If the axe [iron tool, with a blunt edge] is dull [not sharp, blunt] and the blade [cutting edge, face] unsharpened [not whetted, without sharpness], more strength [physical power, might] must be exerted [used, applied], but skill [wisdom, profitable direction] produces [brings about, leads to] success [a favorable outcome, prosperity]. word study 11 If [under certain circumstances, in a specific situation] the snake bites [attacks, inflicts harm] before [prior to, before the time of] it is charmed [tamed, subdued by enchantment], there is [exists, is found] no [none, not any] profit [advantage, benefit] for [to, belonging to] the charmer [master of the tongue, one who whispers incantations]. word study 12 The words [utterances, sayings] of a wise [intelligent, skilled] man’s mouth [lips, speech] are gracious [full of favor, kindness], but the lips [language, edge] of a fool [stupid, silly] consume [swallow up, devour] him. word study 13 The beginning [start, inception] of his talk [words, speech] is folly [foolishness, silliness], and the end [conclusion, final result] of his speech [talk, conversation] is evil [wicked, bad] madness [mischievous, foolish behavior]. word study 14 Yet the fool [a foolish person, lacking wisdom] multiplies [increases, abounds in] words [speech, utterances]. No one knows [is aware of, understands] what is coming [will happen, is to be], and who [what person, which one] can tell [declare, inform] him what will come [happen, exist] after [following, subsequent to] him? word study 15 The toil [trouble, hard work] of a fool [someone stupid and silly, rejecting God] wearies [exhausts, causes fatigue] him, for he does not know [is ignorant of, lacks understanding] the way [path, direction] to the city [town, settlement]. word study 16 Woe [alas, a lament] to you, O land [country, territory] whose king [ruler, monarch] is a youth [a child, immature], and whose princes [leaders, rulers] feast [eat, indulge] in the morning [at dawn, early]. word study 17 Blessed [happy, fortunate] are you, O land [country, territory] whose king [ruler, monarch] is a son [descendant, noble] of nobles [high-born, pure ones], and whose princes [rulers, leaders] feast [eat, dine] at the proper [due, appointed] time— for strength [might, power] and not [by no means] for drunkenness [intoxication, excess]. word study 18 Through [much, excessive] laziness [slothfulness, sluggishness] the roof [rafter, frame] caves in, and in the hands [power, direction] of the idle [sluggish, inactive], the house [dwelling place, family home] leaks [drips, drops through]. word study 19 A feast [for laughter and celebration] is prepared for [to bring about] laughter [or mockery], and wine [fermented drink] makes life [physical existence] merry [joyful, glad], but money [silver, wealth] is the answer [response, solution] for [to meet the needs of] everything [all things, every situation]. word study 20 Do not [revile, speak evil of] curse the king [ruler, monarch] even in your thoughts [mind, innermost being], or curse the rich [wealthy, noble] even in your bedroom [private chamber, inner room], for a bird [fowl, winged creature] of the air [heavens, sky] may carry your words [voice, speech], and a winged creature [possessor of wings] may report [tell, declare] your speech [words, matter]. word study