Kohelet, starting at chapter 10
{10:1} Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an
evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. {10:2} A
wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
{10:3} Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding
fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. {10:4} If the
spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don't leave your place; for
gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
{10:5} There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of
error which proceeds from the ruler. {10:6} Folly is set in great
dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. {10:7} I have seen servants
on horses, and princes walking like servants on the [1>]eretz[<1].
{10:8} He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through
a wall may be bitten by a snake. {10:9} Whoever carves out stones may
be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.
{10:10} If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he
must use more strength; but skill brings success.
{10:11} If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no
profit for the charmer's tongue. {10:12} The words of a wise man's
mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. {10:13}
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of
his talk is mischievous madness. {10:14} A fool also multiplies words.
Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who
can tell him? {10:15} The labor of fools wearies every one of them;
for he doesn't know how to go to the city.
{10:16} Woe to you, land, when your king is a child,
And your princes eat in the morning! {10:17} Happy are you, land,
when your king is the son of nobles,
And your princes eat in due season,
For strength, and not for drunkenness!
{10:18} By slothfulness the roof sinks in;
And through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
{10:19} A feast is made for laughter,
And wine makes the life glad;
And money is the answer for all things.
{10:20} Don't curse the king, no, not in your thoughts;
And don't curse the rich in your bedchamber:
For a bird of the sky may carry your voice,
And that which has wings may tell the matter.
{11:1} Cast your bread on the waters;
For you shall find it after many days.
{11:2} Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight;
For you don't know what evil will be on the [1>]eretz[<1].
{11:3} If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the
[2>]eretz[<2];
And if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north,
In the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.
{11:4} He who observes the wind won't sow;
And he who regards the clouds won't reap.
{11:5} As you don't know what is the way of the wind,
Nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child;
Even so you don't know the work of God who does all.
{11:6} In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening don't withhold your hand;
For you don't know which will prosper, whether this or that,
Or whether they both will be equally good.
{11:7} Truly the light is sweet,
And a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.
{11:8} Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all;
But let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many.
All that comes is vanity.
{11:9} Rejoice, young man, in your youth,
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth,
And walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
{11:10} Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
And put away evil from your flesh;
For youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
{12:1} Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the evil days come, and the years draw near,
When you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"
{12:2} Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened,
And the clouds return after the rain;
{12:3} In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble,
And the strong men shall bow themselves,
And the grinders cease because they are few,
And those who look out of the windows are darkened,
{12:4} And the doors shall be shut in the street;
When the sound of the grinding is low,
And one shall rise up at the voice of a bird,
And all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
{12:5} Yes, they shall be afraid of heights,
And terrors will be in the way;
And the almond tree shall blossom,
And the [1>]khagav[<1] shall be a burden,
And desire shall fail;
Because man goes to his everlasting home,
And the mourners go about the streets:
{12:6} Before the silver cord is severed,
Or the golden bowl is broken,
Or the pitcher is broken at the spring,
Or the wheel broken at the cistern,
{12:7} And the dust returns to the [2>]eretz[<2] as it was,
And the spirit returns to God who gave it.
{12:8} Vanity of vanities, says [3>]Kohelet[<3];
All is vanity!
{12:9} Further, because [4>]Kohelet[<4] was wise, he still taught
the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order
many proverbs. {12:10} The Preacher sought to find out acceptable
words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth. {12:11}
The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are
words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one
shepherd. {12:12} Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many
books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
{12:13} This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God,
and keep his [5>]mitzvot[<5]; for this is the whole duty of man.
{12:14} For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden
thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
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Footnotes:
[1] {10:7} earth
[1] {11:2} earth
[2] {11:3} earth
[1] {12:5} grasshopper
[2] {12:7} earth
[3] {12:8} the Preacher
[4] {12:9} the Preacher
[5] {12:13} commandments
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