Eclesiastés 10
Catholic Public Domain Version
1Dying flies ruin the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a brief and limited foolishness.
2The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a foolish man is in his left hand.
3Moreover, as a foolish man is walking along the way, even though he himself is unwise, he considers everyone to be foolish.
4If the spirit of one who holds authority rises over you, do not leave your place, because attentiveness will cause the greatest sins to cease.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, proceeding from the presence of a prince, as if by mistake:
6a foolish man appointed to a high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath him.
7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking on the ground like servants.
8Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever tears apart a hedge, a snake will bite him.
9Whoever carries away stones will be harmed by them. And whoever cuts down trees will be wounded by them.
10If the iron is dull, and if it was not that way before, but has been made dull by much labor, then it will be sharpened. And wisdom will follow after diligence.
11Whoever slanders in secret is nothing less than a snake that bites silently.
12Words from the mouth of a wise man are graceful, but the lips of a foolish man will throw him down with violence.
13At the beginning of his words is foolishness, and at the end of his talk is a most grievous error.
14The fool multiplies his words. A man does not know what has been before him, and who is able to reveal to him what will be in the future after him?
15The hardship of the foolish will afflict those who do not know to go into the city.
16Woe to you, the land whose king is a boy, and whose princes consume in the morning.
17Blessed is the land whose king is noble, and whose princes eat at the proper time, for refreshment and not for self-indulgence.
18By laziness, a framework shall be brought down, and by the weakness of hands, a house shall collapse through.
19While laughing, they make bread and wine, so that the living may feast. And all things are obedient to money.
20You should not slander the king, even in your thoughts, and you should not speak evil of a wealthy man, even in your private chamber. For even the birds of the air will carry your voice, and whatever has wings will announce your opinion.
Reina-Valera 1909
1LAS moscas muertas hacen heder y dar mal olor el perfume del perfumista: así una pequeña locura, al estimado por sabiduría y honra.
2El corazón del sabio está á su mano derecha; mas el corazón del necio á su mano izquierda.
3Y aun mientras va el necio por el camino, fáltale su cordura, y dice á todos, que es necio.
4Si el espíritu del príncipe se exaltare contra ti, no dejes tu lugar; porque la lenidad hará cesar grandes ofensas.
5Hay un mal que debajo del sol he visto, á manera de error emanado del príncipe:
6La necedad está colocada en grandes alturas, y los ricos están sentados en lugar bajo.
7Vi siervos en caballos, y príncipes que andaban como siervos sobre la tierra.
8El que hiciere el hoyo caerá en él; y el que aportillare el vallado, morderále la serpiente.
9El que mudare las piedras, trabajo tendrá en ellas: el que cortare la leña, en ella peligrará.
10Si se embotare el hierro, y su filo no fuere amolado, hay que añadir entonces más fuerza: empero excede la bondad de la sabiduría.
11Muerde la serpiente cuando no está encantada, y el lenguaraz no es mejor.
12Las palabras de la boca del sabio son gracia; mas los labios del necio causan su propia ruina.
13El principio de las palabras de su boca es necedad; y el fin de su charla nocivo desvarío.
14El necio multiplica palabras: no sabe hombre lo que ha de ser; ¿y quién le hará saber lo que después de él será?
15El trabajo de los necios los fatiga; porque no saben por dónde ir á la ciudad.
16¡Ay de ti, tierra, cuando tu rey es muchacho, y tus príncipes comen de mañana!
17¡Bienaventurada, tú, tierra, cuando tu rey es hijo de nobles, y tus príncipes comen á su hora, por refección, y no por el beber!
18Por la pereza se cae la techumbre, y por flojedad de manos se llueve la casa.
19Por el placer se hace el convite, y el vino alegra los vivos: y el dinero responde á todo.
20Ni aun en tu pensamiento digas mal del rey, ni en los secretos de tu cámara digas mal del rico; porque las aves del cielo llevarán la voz, y las que tienen alas harán saber la palabra.
King James Version
1Dead 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.
2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
3Yea 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.
4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17Blessed 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!
18By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
20Curse 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.
World English Bible
1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
3Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
10If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
20Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.