Ecclesiastes 10

The Preacher teaches that a little folly ruins a reputation for wisdom, just as dead flies spoil the ointment. He offers proverbs on rulers and fools: woe to the land whose king is a child, and blessed is the land whose king is the son of nobles. He warns that even a secret curse against the king may be carried by a bird of the air.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	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 flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell. So does a little folly to him who has a reputation for wisdom and honor.
2	A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.	A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
3	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.	And also, when he who is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he tells everyone that he is a fool.
4	If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.	If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for yielding pacifies great offenses.
5	There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:	There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, like an error that proceeds from the ruler:
6	Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.	Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7	I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.	I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8	He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.	He who digs a pit shall fall into it, and whoever breaks through a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9	Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.	Whoever moves stones shall be hurt by them, and he who splits wood shall be endangered by it.
10	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.	If the iron is blunt, and he does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength. But wisdom is profitable to direct.
11	Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.	Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment, and a babbler is no better.
12	The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.	The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
13	The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.	The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14	A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?	A fool also is full of words. A man cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15	The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.	The labor of fools wearies every one of them, because none of them knows how to go to the city.
16	Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!	Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!
17	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!	Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat at the proper time, for strength and not for drunkenness!
18	By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.	By much laziness the building decays, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19	A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.	A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry, but money answers all things.
20	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.	Do not curse the king, not even in your thought, and do not curse the rich in your bedchamber. For a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.