The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2000.
EcclesiastesOR, THE PREACHER
Ecclesiastes 10
The Excellence of Wisdom | |
1 |
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor. |
2 |
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. |
3 |
Yea 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. |
4 |
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses. |
5 |
¶ There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: |
6 |
folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. |
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 whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him. |
9 |
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. |
10 |
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. |
11 |
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. |
12 |
¶ The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. |
13 |
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. |
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? |
15 |
The labor 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. |
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. |
Published by The American Bible Society
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