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Ecclesiastes 10 (NIV2010)

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¹ As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. ² The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. ³ Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are. ⁴ If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest. ⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: ⁶ Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. ⁷ I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. ⁸ Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. ⁹ Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. ¹⁰ If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. ¹¹ If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee. ¹² Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. ¹³ ¹⁴ ¹⁵ The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town. ¹⁶ Woe to the land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. ¹⁷ ¹⁸ Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks. ¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything. ²⁰ Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.