Wisdom and Folly 1 RV Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly outweigh 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 RV A wise man’s heart 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 RV Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding 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 RV If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding allayeth 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 RV There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler: BSB BSB: There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6 RV folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. BSB BSB: Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 RV 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 RV He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite 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 RV Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and 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 RV If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. BSB BSB: If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
11 RV If the serpent bite before it be charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer. BSB BSB: If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
12 RV The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. BSB BSB: The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 RV The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: 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 RV A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can 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 RV The labour of fools wearieth every one of them, for he knoweth 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 RV 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 RV Happy 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! 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 RV By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. BSB BSB: Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
19 RV A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life: and money answereth all things. BSB BSB: A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 RV 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. 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.