Wisdom and Folly 1 DBY Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink and ferment; so a little folly is weightier than wisdom and honour. BSB BSB: As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 DBY The heart of a wise man is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. BSB BSB: A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
3 DBY Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth him , and he saith to every one that he is a fool. BSB BSB: Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 DBY If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences. BSB BSB: If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5 DBY There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error that proceedeth from the ruler: BSB BSB: There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 DBY folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place. BSB BSB: Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 DBY I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. BSB BSB: I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 DBY He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him. BSB BSB: He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 DBY Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. BSB BSB: The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
10 DBY If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success. BSB BSB: If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 DBY If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage. BSB BSB: If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 DBY The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself. BSB BSB: The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 DBY The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. BSB BSB: The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
14 DBY And the fool multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him? BSB BSB: Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
15 DBY The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city. BSB BSB: The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 DBY Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! BSB BSB: Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 DBY Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! BSB BSB: Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.
18 DBY By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth. BSB BSB: Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 DBY A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything. BSB BSB: A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 DBY Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter. BSB BSB: Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.