Ecclesiastes 10:8-20

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁸ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
    and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.^(A)
9 Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them,
    and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.
¹⁰ If the iron is blunt and one does not whet the edge,
    then more strength must be exerted,
    but wisdom helps one to succeed.
¹¹ If the snake bites before it is charmed,
    there is no advantage in a charmer.^(B)

¹² Words spoken by the wise bring them favor,
    but the lips of fools consume them.^(C)
13 The words of their mouths begin in foolishness,
    and their talk ends in wicked madness,^(D)
14 yet fools talk on and on.
    No one knows what is to happen,
    and who can tell anyone what the future holds?^(E)
15 The toil of fools wears them out,
    for they do not even know the way to town.

¹⁶ Alas for you, O land, when your king is a child
    and your princes feast in the morning!^(F)
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman,
    and your princes feast at the proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness!^(G)
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
    and through indolence the house leaks.^(H)
19 Feasts are made for laughter,
    wine gladdens life,
    and money meets every need.^(I)
20 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 voice,
    or some winged creature tell the matter.^(J)