Ecclesiastes 10
About EcclesiastesWritten by AI
Ecclesiastes is wisdom of a different kind: an honest look at life "under the sun", where so much seems fleeting and unfair. The speaker is called the Teacher, a son of David and king in Jerusalem. Jewish and Christian tradition has long taken this to be Solomon. Many scholars think a later writer used Solomon's voice, and faithful readers hold both views.
The book opens with its famous refrain, “Everything is futile!” The word means a breath or vapor: brief, hard to grasp. The Teacher tests pleasure, work, wealth and wisdom, and finds none of them gives lasting meaning on its own.
Watch for two threads that run through the gloom. Again and again he says to enjoy food, work and love as gifts from God's hand. And the book ends by pointing beyond itself: fear God and keep His commandments, because God will bring every deed to judgment.
Before you read Ecclesiastes 10Written by AI
A chapter of short proverbs, much like the book of Proverbs. Notice how a little folly can spoil a lot of wisdom, like dead flies in perfume. Several sayings deal with rulers, careless words and laziness, and with how foolishness shows itself on the road for all to see.
Wisdom and Folly
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil,
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right,
but the heart of a fool to the left.
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking,
and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post,
for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
There is an evil I have seen under the sun—
an error that proceeds from the ruler:
Folly is appointed to great heights,
but the rich sit in lowly positions.
I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.
He who digs a pit may fall into it,
and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them,
and he who splits logs endangers himself.
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened,
more strength must be exerted,
but skill produces success.
If the snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no profit for the charmer.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,
but the lips of a fool consume him.
The beginning of his talk is folly,
and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Yet the fool multiplies words.
No one knows what is coming,
and who can tell him what will come after him?
The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know the way to the city.
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth,
and whose princes feast in the morning.
Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles,
and whose princes feast at the proper time—
for strength and not for drunkenness.
Through laziness the roof caves in,
and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry,
but money is the answer for everything.
Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich even in your bedroom,
for a bird of the air may carry your words,
and a winged creature may report your speech.