¹⁷ The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
    than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
¹⁸ Wisdom^(D) is better than weapons of war,
    but one sinner destroys much good.

10 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
    so a little folly^(E) outweighs wisdom and honor.
² The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
    but the heart of the fool to the left.
³ Even as fools walk along the road,
    they lack sense
    and show everyone^(F) how stupid they are.
⁴ If a ruler’s anger rises against you,
    do not leave your post;^(G)
    calmness can lay great offenses to rest.^(H)

⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
    the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
⁶ Fools are put in many high positions,^(I)
    while the rich occupy the low ones.
⁷ I have seen slaves on horseback,
    while princes go on foot like slaves.^(J)

⁸ Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;^(K)
    whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.^(L)
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
    whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.^(M)

¹⁰ If the ax is dull
    and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
    but skill will bring success.

¹¹ If a snake bites before it is charmed,
    the charmer receives no fee.^(N)

¹² Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,^(O)
    but fools are consumed by their own lips.^(P)
13 At the beginning their words are folly;
    at the end they are wicked madness—
¹⁴     and fools multiply words.^(Q)

No one knows what is coming—
    who can tell someone else what will happen after them?^(R)

¹⁵ The toil of fools wearies them;
    they do not know the way to town.

¹⁶ Woe to the land whose king was a servant^[a](S)
    and whose princes feast in the morning.
¹⁷ Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
    and whose princes eat at a proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness.^(T)

¹⁸ Through laziness, the rafters sag;
    because of idle hands, the house leaks.^(U)

¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter,
    wine^(V) makes life merry,
    and money is the answer for everything.

²⁰ Do not revile the king^(W) even in your thoughts,
    or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words,
    and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

³ I remembered^(F) you, God, and I groaned;^(G)
    I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.^[b](H)
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
    I was too troubled to speak.^(I)
5 I thought about the former days,^(J)
    the years of long ago;
⁶ I remembered my songs in the night.
    My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever?^(K)
    Will he never show his favor^(L) again?
⁸ Has his unfailing love^(M) vanished forever?
    Has his promise^(N) failed for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful?^(O)
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?^(P)”

¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
    the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.^(Q)
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles^(R) of long ago.
¹² I will consider^(S) all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”^(T)

¹³ Your ways, God, are holy.
    What god is as great as our God?^(U)
14 You are the God who performs miracles;^(V)
    you display your power among the peoples.
¹⁵ With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,^(W)
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

¹⁶ The waters^(X) saw you, God,
    the waters saw you and writhed;^(Y)
    the very depths were convulsed.
¹⁷ The clouds poured down water,^(Z)
    the heavens resounded with thunder;^(AA)
    your arrows^(AB) flashed back and forth.
¹⁸ Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,^(AC)
    your lightning^(AD) lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and quaked.^(AE)
19 Your path^(AF) led through the sea,^(AG)
    your way through the mighty waters,
    though your footprints were not seen.

²⁰ You led your people^(AH) like a flock^(AI)
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron.^(AJ)