The Burden of Folly
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2A wise person’s heart goes to the10:2 Lit his right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
3Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense,
for calmness puts great offenses to rest.10:4 1Sm 25:24–33; Pr 25:15
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
but the rich remain in lowly positions.
but princes walking on the ground like slaves.10:7 Est 6:8–10
and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.10:8 Am 5:19
9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;
the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,
then one must exert more strength;
however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
then there is no advantage for the charmer.10:11 Lit master of the tongue
but the lips of a fool consume him.10:12 Pr 18:7
13The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly,
but the end of his speaking is evil madness;
14yet the fool multiplies words.
No one knows what will happen,
15The struggles of fools weary them,
for they don’t know how to go to the city.
16Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth10:16 Pr 30:21–22; Is 3:4,12
and your princes feast in the morning.
17Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles
and your princes feast at the proper time —
18Because of laziness the roof caves in,
and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
19A feast is prepared for laughter,
and wine makes life happy,10:19 Ps 104:15
and money10:19 Lit silver is the answer for everything.10:19 Ec 7:12
for a bird of the sky may carry the message,
and a winged creature may report the matter.
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