| 10:1 | Dead flies will make a bottle of perfume stink, and then it is spoiled. A little foolishness outweighs wisdom and honor. |
| 10:2 | A wise person's heart leads the right way. The heart of a fool leads the wrong way. |
| 10:3 | Even when a fool goes walking, he has no sense and shows everyone else that he's a fool. |
| 10:4 | If a ruler becomes angry with you, don't resign your position. If you remain calm, you can make up for serious offenses. |
| 10:5 | There is a tragedy that I've seen under the sun, an error often made by rulers. |
| 10:6 | Foolish people are often given high positions, and rich people are left to fill lower positions. |
| 10:7 | I have seen slaves sitting on horses and influential people going on foot like slaves. |
| 10:8 | Whoever digs a pit may fall into it. Whoever breaks through a stone wall may be bitten by a snake. |
| 10:9 | Whoever works in a stone quarry may get hurt. Whoever splits wood may be injured. |
| 10:10 | If an ax is blunt and the edge isn't sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success. |
| 10:11 | If a snake bites before it has been charmed, then there is no advantage in being a snake charmer. |
| 10:12 | A wise person's words win favors, but a fool's lips are selfdestructive. |
| 10:13 | A fool starts out by talking foolishness and ends up saying crazy things that are dangerous. |
| 10:14 | He never stops talking. No one knows what the future will bring, or what will happen after death. Who can say! |
| 10:15 | Fools wear themselves out with hard work, because they don't even know the way to town. |
| 10:16 | How horrible it will be for any country where the king used to be a servant and where the high officials throw parties in the morning. |
| 10:17 | A country is blessed when the king is from a noble family and when the high officials eat at the right time in order to get strength and not to get drunk. |
| 10:18 | A roof sags because of laziness. A house leaks because of idle hands. |
| 10:19 | A meal is made for laughter, and wine makes life pleasant, but money is the answer for everything. |
| 10:20 | Don't curse the king even in your thoughts, and don't curse rich people even in your bedroom. A bird may carry your words, or some winged creature may repeat what you say. |
Pengkhotbah 10 - God's Word Translation
