The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to
produce an evil odor;
so does a little folly outweigh wisdom
and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand,
but a fool’s heart at his left.
3 Yes also when the fool walks by the
way, his understanding fails him, and he
says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up
against you, don’t leave your place; for
gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of
error which proceeds from the ruler.
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich
sit in a low place.
7 I have seen servants on horses, and
princes walking like servants on the earth.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and
whoever breaks through a wall may be
bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may
be endangered by it.
10 If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t
sharpen the edge, then he must use more
strength; but skill brings success.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed,
then is there no profit for the charmer’s
tongue.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are
gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his
own lips.
13 The beginning of the words of his
mouth is foolishness; and the end of his
talk is mischievous madness.
14 A fool also multiplies words.
Man doesn’t know what will be; and that
which will be after him, who can tell him?
15 The labor offools wearies every one of
them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the
city.
16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a
child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17 Happy are you, land, when your king is
the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season,
for strength, and notfor drunkenness!
18 By slothfulness the roof sinks in;
and through idleness of the hands the
house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter,
and wine makes the life glad;
and money is the answer for allthings.
20 Don’t curse the king, no, not in your
thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom,
for a bird of the sky may carry your
voice, and that which has wings may tell the
matter.