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…: Heb. Flies of death 2  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.† his…: Heb. his heart

4  If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. 5  There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:‡ from: Heb. from before 6  Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.§ in great…: Heb. in great heights 7  I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 8  He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9  Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 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. 11  Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.** a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue

12  The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.†† gracious: Heb. grace 13  The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.‡‡ his talk: Heb. his mouth 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?§§ is full…: Heb. multiplieth words 15  The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not 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! 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!

18 ¶ By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

19 ¶ A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.*** maketh…: Heb. maketh glad the life

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.††† thought: or, conscience