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10:1 One dead fly makes the perfumer’s ointment give off a rancid stench, so a little folly can outweigh much wisdom.
10:2 A wise person’s good sense protects him, but a fool’s lack of sense leaves him vulnerable. 10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense and shows everyone what a fool he is. 10:4 If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses. 10:5 I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes. 10:6 Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions. 10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.
10:8 One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 10:9 One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them. 10:10 If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success. 10:11 If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.
10:12 The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive. 10:13 At the beginning his words are foolish and at the end his talk is wicked madness, 10:14 yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future? 10:15 The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even know the way to the city.
10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish and your princes feast in the morning. 10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time —with self-control and not in drunkenness. 10:18 Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks. 10:19 Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. 10:20 Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words.
NET Bible Second Edition. Copyright 2017 Biblical Studies Press
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