Ecclesiastes Chapter 10
A few dead flies totally mess up the vibe of the ointment, just like a small mess can mess up a wise person's whole scene.
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: {so doth} a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom {and} honour. {Dead...: Heb. Flies of death}
The heart of a wise person is on point, but a fool’s heart is completely lost in the sauce.
A wise man's heart {is} at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
When a fool's out walking, his game is weak, and he’s out here letting everyone know he’s a fool.
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. {his...: Heb. his heart}
If your boss comes for you, don’t dip; staying calm can solve major issues.
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
I spotted some shady moves under the sun, straight from the top dog.
There is an evil {which} I have seen under the sun, as an error {which} proceedeth from the ruler: {from: Heb. from before}
Folly’s acting all up high, while the wealthy are quietly struggling.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. {in great...: Heb. in great heights}
I’ve noticed servants riding high on steeds, while princes are out here walking like plain folks.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
If you dig a hole, you’re bound to fall in it; break down a fence and a snake’s gonna bite you.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Shift stones and you’ll get hurt; chop wood and you’re just asking for trouble.
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; {and} he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
If your iron's not sharp and you don’t fix it, you gotta grind way harder; but wisdom makes it all chill.
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.
For real, a snake will bite without any warning, and a blabbermouth is just as annoying.
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. {a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue}
A wise person talks with finesse, but a fool’s words are just gonna mess him up.
The words of a wise man's mouth {are} gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. {gracious: Heb. grace}
The beginning of a fool's chatter is pure nonsense, and it ends in total chaos.
The beginning of the words of his mouth {is} foolishness: and the end of his talk {is} mischievous madness. {his talk: Heb. his mouth}
A fool has way too much to say: no one knows what’s next, and who really knows what's coming after?
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}
The struggle of a fool wears everyone out 'cause he just can’t figure out how to get where he needs to be.
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Big yikes, land, when your king’s a kid, and your leaders are snacking in the morning!
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king {is} a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
You’re lucky, land, when your king's from a solid family and your leaders eat at proper times, for strength, not for a party!
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!
Laziness causes the building to crumble; if your hands are doing nothing, the house is gonna fall.
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
A feast is meant for laughs, and wine brings the solid vibes: but money solves all the drama.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all {things}. {maketh...: Heb. maketh glad the life}
Don’t badmouth the king, not even in your thoughts; and keep it low-key about the wealthy in your own zone: a bird will spill the gossip, and those with wings will spread the news.
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}