Ecclesiastes 10:1-10
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 10
1Dead flies turn a perfumer’s oil rancid, so a little foolishness is more potent than wisdom and honor. 2A wise person’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish person’s heart directs him toward the left. 3Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. 4If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your place, because composure puts great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake that proceeds from the ruler:
6foolishness is set in many exalted places while the rich sit in humble places.
7I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.
8One who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite one who breaks through a wall.
9One who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
King James Version
Chapter 10
1Dead 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. 2A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 10
1Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2A wise person’s heart goes to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. 3Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense, and he shows everyone he is a fool. 4If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest.
7I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
New Living Translation
5There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake
6when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.
7I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes — and princes walking like servants!
English Standard Version
Chapter 10
1Dead flies make the perfumer 's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man 's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool 's heart to the left. 3Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. 4If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. 5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.New International Version
Chapter 10
1As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. 3Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.
4If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
New King James Version
