Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; ‡ Mat 5:13-16Gal 2:12-14Exo 30:25Neh 13:262Ch 19:2Exo 30:34-35Neh 6:13

so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, ‡ Ecc 10:14Luk 12:18-20Ecc 10:10Luk 14:28-32Pro 14:8Pro 17:16Ecc 9:10

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. ‡ Pro 18:2Pro 13:161Pe 4:4Ecc 5:3Pro 18:6 4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest. ‡ Pro 25:15Ecc 8:31Sa 25:24-44

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler. ‡ Ecc 5:13Ecc 6:1Ecc 3:16Ecc 4:1Ecc 4:7Ecc 9:3 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. ‡ Pro 28:12Pro 29:2Est 3:1Psa 12:81Ki 12:13-14Pro 28:28Jdg 9:14-20Jas 2:3-5 7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth. ‡ Pro 19:10Est 6:8Pro 30:22 8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. ‡ Pro 26:27Psa 7:15-16Amo 5:19Est 7:102Sa 17:23Amo 9:3Psa 9:15-16Jdg 9:5 +29 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. ‡ Jas 1:5Col 4:5Ecc 10:151Co 14:20Eph 5:15-171Ki 3:9Ecc 9:15-17Act 6:1-9 +7

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue. ‡ Jer 8:17Psa 58:4-5Psa 52:2Psa 64:3Jas 3:6Pro 18:21 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. ‡ Col 4:6Luk 4:22Pro 15:2Pro 22:11Eph 4:29Pro 10:13-14Pro 10:20-21Pro 10:31-32 +2313 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. ‡ 1Sa 25:10-11Pro 29:91Sa 20:26-331Sa 22:16-181Sa 22:7-82Ki 6:272Ki 6:312Sa 19:41 +1214 A fool also multiplies words. ‡ Pro 15:2Ecc 3:22Ecc 5:3Ecc 6:12Ecc 8:7Jas 4:13-14Job 35:16Pro 10:19 +1

Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city. ‡ Isa 57:1Jer 50:4-5Ecc 10:3Isa 35:8-10Psa 107:4Psa 107:7Ecc 10:10Hab 2:6 +4

16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, ‡ Isa 3:12Isa 5:11-12Isa 3:4-5Pro 20:1-22Ch 13:7Jer 21:122Ch 36:22Ch 36:5 +5

and your princes eat in the morning!

17 Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, ‡ Pro 31:4-5Deu 14:26Ecc 10:6-7Isa 5:11Jer 30:21Pro 28:2-3

and your princes eat in due season,

for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 By slothfulness the roof sinks in; ‡ Pro 14:1Pro 20:4Pro 24:30-34Heb 6:11Pro 21:25Pro 23:212Pe 1:5-10Pro 12:24

and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

19 A feast is made for laughter, ‡ Psa 104:151Pe 4:3Ecc 2:1-2Ecc 7:11-12Isa 23:18Isa 24:11Luk 12:19Php 4:15-19 +22

and wine makes the life glad;

and money is the answer for all things.

20 Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; ‡ Act 23:5Luk 12:2-32Ki 6:12Ecc 7:21-22Exo 22:28Isa 8:21Luk 19:40Luk 10:40

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.