Verse 1
Dead{H4194} flies{H2070} cause the oil{H8081} of the perfumer{H7543} to send forth{H5042} an evil odor;{H887} [so] doth a little{H4592} folly{H5531} outweigh{H3368} wisdom{H2451} and honor.{H3519}
Verse 2
A wise man's{H2450} heart{H3820} is at his right hand;{H3225} but a fool's{H3684} heart{H3820} at his left.{H8040}
Verse 3
Yea also, when the fool{H5530} walketh{H1980} by the way,{H1870} his understanding{H3820} faileth{H2638} him, and he saith{H559} to every one [that] he is a fool.{H5530}
Verse 4
If the spirit{H7307} of the ruler{H4910} rise up{H5927} against thee, leave{H3240} not thy place;{H4725} for gentleness{H4832} allayeth{H3240} great{H1419} offences.{H2399}
Verse 5
There is{H3426} an evil{H7451} which I have seen{H7200} under the sun,{H8121} as it were an error{H7684} which proceedeth{H3318} from{H6440} the ruler:{H7989}
Verse 6
folly{H5529} is set{H5414} in great{H7227} dignity,{H4791} and the rich{H6223} sit{H3427} in a low place.{H8216}
Verse 7
I have seen{H7200} servants{H5650} upon horses,{H5483} and princes{H8269} walking{H1980} like servants{H5650} upon the earth.{H776}
Verse 8
He that diggeth{H2658} a pit{H1475} shall fall{H5307} into it; and whoso breaketh{H6555} through a wall,{H1447} a serpent{H5175} shall bite{H5391} him.
Verse 9
Whoso heweth out{H5265} stones{H68} shall be hurt{H6087} therewith; [and] he that cleaveth{H1234} wood{H6086} is endangered{H5533} thereby.
Verse 10
If the iron{H1270} be blunt,{H6949} and one do not whet{H7043} the edge,{H6440} then must he put{H1396} to more strength:{H2428} but wisdom{H2451} is profitable{H3504} to direct.{H3787}
Verse 11
If the serpent{H5175} bite{H5391} before it is charmed,{H3908} then is there no advantage{H3504} in the charmer.{H3956}
Verse 12
The words{H1697} of a wise man's{H2450} mouth{H6310} are gracious;{H2580} but the lips{H8193} of a fool{H3684} will swallow up{H1104} himself.
Verse 13
The beginning{H8462} of the words{H1697} of his mouth{H6310} is foolishness;{H5531} and the end{H319} of his talk{H6310} is mischievous{H7451} madness.{H1948}
Verse 14
A fool{H5530} also multiplieth{H7235} words:{H1697} [yet] man{H120} knoweth{H3045} not what shall be; and that which shall be after{H310} him, who can tell{H5046} him?
Verse 15
The labor{H5999} of fools{H3684} wearieth{H3021} every one of them; for he knoweth{H3045} not how to go{H3212} to the city.{H5892}
Verse 16
Woe{H337} to thee, O land,{H776} when thy king{H4428} is a child,{H5288} and thy princes{H8269} eat{H398} in the morning!{H1242}
Verse 17
Happy{H835} art thou, O land,{H776} when thy king{H4428} is the son{H1121} of nobles,{H2715} and thy princes{H8269} eat{H398} in due season,{H6256} for strength,{H1369} and not for drunkenness!{H8358}
Verse 18
By slothfulness{H6103} the roof{H4746} sinketh{H4355} in; and through idleness{H8220} of the hands{H3027} the house{H1004} leaketh.{H1811}
Verse 19
A feast{H3899} is made{H6213} for laughter,{H7814} and wine{H3196} maketh glad{H8055} the life; and money{H3701} answereth{H6030} all things.
Verse 20
Revile{H7043} not the king,{H4428} no, not in thy thought;{H4093} and revile{H7043} not the rich{H6223} in thy bedchamber:{H2315} for a bird{H5775} of the heavens{H8064} shall carry{H3212} the voice,{H6963} and that which hath{H1167} wings{H3671} shall tell{H5046} the matter.{H1697}