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Ecclesiastes

Questions the meaning of life and the value of worldly pursuits, concluding that fearing God is important.

Chapter 10

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1 Dead 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.

*When a small amount of rotten flies ruin a perfume maker's good smell, it's like how a tiny bit of foolishness can spoil the reputation of someone who is known to be wise and honorable.

2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

*A smart person's good decisions come from their right-side thoughts, while a foolish person's bad choices come from their left-side thoughts.

3 Yea 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.

*Yes, when a foolish person walks by, their wisdom fails them, and they tell everyone that they are stupid.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

*If a leader's angry spirit comes at you, don't move from your spot; because giving in can calm big problems.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

*I have seen a bad thing under the sun - it's like a mistake caused by someone in charge.

6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

*Foolishness is given important status, while wealthy people are placed in a lower position.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

*I saw helpers riding horses and important people walking like helpers on the ground.

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

*If you dig a hole, you might fall in; if you destroy a fence, a snake may bite you.

9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

*Whoever moves stones may get hurt; and whoever splits wood could be in danger.

10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

*If a tool is dull and not sharpened, it requires more force to work. However, being wise and knowing how to guide actions is beneficial.

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

*The snake will bite without magic, and a talkative person isn't any better.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

*A smart person's words are kind, but a fool's mouth gets them into trouble.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

*His speech starts with silliness and ends with troublemaking craziness.

14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

*A foolish person talks a lot: nobody knows what will happen next; and what comes after that, who can say?

15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

*The silly person's work tires everyone involved, because they don't know how to reach the city.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

*Oh no, country, when your leader acts like a kid, and your important people feast early in the day!

17 Blessed 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!

*Blessed are you, land, when your king comes from noble backgrounds, and your leaders eat at proper times for energy, not for getting drunk.

18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

*Too much laziness causes buildings to fall apart, and not doing work makes houses collapse.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

*A party is for joy and drinking brings happiness; but money solves everything.

20 Curse 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.

*Don't curse the king or the wealthy, not even in your thoughts; because birds can hear and spread what you say. They have wings to fly and will tell others about it.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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