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11">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">Christian Standard Bible</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/csb/esv/ecclesiastes/10.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Verses"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><section epub:type="chapter" id="csb-Ecclesiastes.10" /><h3 class="head1">The Burden of Folly</h3><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.1" /><A name="2"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.1.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.2" /> <A name="3"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>A wise person’s heart goes to the<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Ecclesiastes.10.2.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> right,</p><p class="poem">but a fool’s heart to the left.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.3" /> <A name="4"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense,</p><p class="poem">and he shows everyone he is a fool.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.3.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.4" /> <A name="5"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.4.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">for calmness puts great offenses to rest.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.4.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p></blockquote><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.5" /> <A name="6"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:</p><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.6" /> <A name="7"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>The fool is appointed to great heights,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.6.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">but the rich remain in lowly positions.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.7" /> <A name="8"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>I have seen slaves on horses,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.7.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">but princes walking on the ground like slaves.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.7.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p></blockquote><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.8" /> <A name="9"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>The one who digs a pit may fall into it,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.8.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.8.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.9" /> <A name="10"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them;</p><p class="poem">the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.10" /> <A name="11"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,</p><p class="poem">then one must exert more strength;</p><p class="poem">however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.11" /> <A name="12"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>If the snake bites before it is charmed,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.11.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">then there is no advantage for the charmer.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Ecclesiastes.10.11.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.12" /> <A name="13"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.12.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">but the lips of a fool consume him.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.12.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.13" /> <A name="14"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly,</p><p class="poem">but the end of his speaking is evil madness;</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.14" /> <A name="15"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>yet the fool multiplies words.</p><p class="poem">No one knows what will happen,</p><p class="poem">and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.14.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.15" /> <A name="16"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>The struggles of fools weary them,</p><p class="poem">for they don’t know how to go to the city.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.16" /> <A name="17"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.16.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and your princes feast in the morning.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.17" /> <A name="18"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles</p><p class="poem">and your princes feast at the proper time —</p><p class="poem">for strength and not for drunkenness.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.17.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.18" /> <A name="19"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Because of laziness the roof caves in,</p><p class="poem">and because of negligent hands the house leaks.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.19" /> <A name="20"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>A feast is prepared for laughter,</p><p class="poem">and wine makes life happy,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.19.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and money<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Ecclesiastes.10.19.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> is the answer for everything.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.19.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Ecclesiastes.10.20" /> <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.20.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.20.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem">for a bird of the sky may carry the message,</p><p class="poem">and a winged creature may report the matter.</p></blockquote><br /><section id="footnotes-Ecclesiastes.10" class="fnSection"><aside id="fn.Ecclesiastes.10.2.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.2">10:2</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">his</span></aside><aside id="fn.Ecclesiastes.10.11.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.11">10:11</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">master of the tongue</span></aside><aside id="fn.Ecclesiastes.10.19.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.19">10:19</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">silver</span></aside><br /><section id="cross-references-Ecclesiastes.10" class="xrfSection"><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.1.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.1">10:1</a></span> Ex 30:25</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.3.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.3">10:3</a></span> Pr 13:16; 18:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.4.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.4">10:4</a></span> Ec 8:3</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.4.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.4">10:4</a></span> 1Sm 25:24–33; Pr 25:15</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.6.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.6">10:6</a></span> Est 3:1; Pr 28:12; 29:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.7.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.7">10:7</a></span> Pr 19:10</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.7.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.7">10:7</a></span> Est 6:8–10</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.8.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.8">10:8</a></span> Ps 7:15</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.8.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.8">10:8</a></span> Am 5:19</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.11.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.11">10:11</a></span> Jr 8:17</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.12.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.12">10:12</a></span> Pr 10:32; 22:11; Lk 4:22</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.12.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.12">10:12</a></span> Pr 18:7</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.14.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.14">10:14</a></span> Ec 8:7,17</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.16.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.16">10:16</a></span> Pr 30:21–22; Is 3:4,12</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.17.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.17">10:17</a></span> Pr 31:4; Is 5:11</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.19.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.19">10:19</a></span> Ps 104:15</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.19.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.19">10:19</a></span> Ec 7:12</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.20.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.20">10:20</a></span> Ex 22:28</aside><aside id="xrf.Ecclesiastes.10.20.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Ecclesiastes.10.20">10:20</a></span> 2Kg 6:12; Lk 12:3</aside><br /><section id="study-notes-Ecclesiastes.10" class="snSection"><br /></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Christian Standard Bible. 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