English / ERV
Ecclesiastes 10
Easy-to-Read Version, 2006
- 1A few dead flies will make even the best perfume stink. In the same way, a little foolishness can ruin much wisdom and honor.
- 2The thoughts of the wise lead them the right way, but the thoughts of the foolish lead them the wrong way.
- 3Fools show how foolish they are, just walking down the road. Their minds are empty, and everyone knows it.
- 4Don’t quit your job simply because the boss is angry with you. If you remain calm and helpful, you can correct even great mistakes.[1]
- 5Here is something else that I have seen in this life[2] that isn’t fair. It is the kind of mistake that rulers make.
- 6Fools are given important positions, while the rich get jobs that are not important.
- 7I have seen servants riding on horses, while rulers were walking beside them like slaves.
- 8If you dig a hole, you might fall into it. If you break down a wall, you might be bitten by a snake.
- 9If you are moving large stones, you might be hurt by them. If you cut down a tree, you are in danger of it falling on you.
- 10But wisdom will make any job easier. It is very hard to cut with a dull knife. But if you sharpen the knife, the job is easier.
- 11Someone might know how to control snakes. But that skill is useless if a snake bites when that person is not around.
- 12Words from the wise bring praise, but words from a fool bring destruction.
- 13Fools begin by saying something foolish. But in the end, they speak nonsense.
- 14Fools are always talking about what they will do, but you never know what will happen. People cannot tell what will happen in the future.
- 15Fools aren’t smart enough to find their way home, so they must work hard all their lives.
- 16It is very bad for a country if the king is like a child. And it is very bad for a country if its rulers use all their time eating.
- 17But it is very good for a country if the king comes from a good family.[3] And it is very good for a country if the rulers control their eating and drinking. They eat and drink to become strong, not to become drunk.
- 18If someone is too lazy to work, their house will begin to leak, and the roof will fall in.
- 19People enjoy eating, and wine makes life happier. But money solves a lot of problems.
- 20Don’t say bad things about the king. Don’t even think bad things about him. And don’t say bad things about rich people, even if you are alone in your home. A little bird might fly and tell them everything you said.