1. Dead flies, cause to stink [and] ferment, the oil of the perfumer, -- More costly than wisdom or honour, is a little folly.
2. The sense of the wise, is on his right hand, -- But, the sense of the dullard, on his left:
3. Yea, even by the way, as the foolish man walketh along, his sense faileth him -- and he telleth everyone that, foolish, is he!
4. If, the spirit of a ruler, riseth up against thee, thy place, do not leave, for gentleness, pacifieth such as have greatly erred.
5. Here was a misfortune I had seen under the sun, -- a veritable mistake that was going forth from the presence of one who had power:
6. Folly placed in great dignity, -- while, the rich, in a low place, took their seat:
7. I had seen, servants, upon horses, -- and, rulers, walking like servants, on the ground.
8. He that diggeth a pit, thereinto, may fall, -- and, he that breaketh through a hedge, there may bite him a serpent.
9. He that removeth stones, may be hurt therewith, -- and he that cleaveth wood, may be endangered thereby.
10. If, blunt, be the iron, and, himself, hath not sharpened, the edge, then, much force, must he apply, -- but, an advantage for giving success, is wisdom.
11. If a serpent will bite, unless he is charmed, then there is nothing better for him that owneth a tongue.
12. The words of a wise man's mouth, are pleasant, -- but, the lips of a dullard, will swallow him up:
13. The beginning of the words of his mouth, is folly, -- but, the latter end of his speech, is mischievous madness.
14. Yet, a foolish man, multiplieth words, -- [though] no man knoweth that which hath been, and, that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
15. The toil of dullards, shall weary a man, that he knoweth not how to go into the city.
16. Alas! for thee, O land, when thy king is a boy, -- and, thy rulers, in the morning, do eat:
17. How happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, -- and, thy rulers, in season, do eat, for strength, and not for debauchery.
18. By two lazy arms, the framework sinketh in, -- and, by the hanging down of the hands, the house may leak.
19. Merrily people make bread, and, wine, gladdeneth life, -- but, money, answereth all things.
20. Even in thy thought, do not revile, the king, nor, within thy bed-chambers, revile thou the rich, -- for, a bird of the heavens, might carry the voice, yea, an owner of wings, might tell the matter.