Ecclesiastes

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour; so does a little folly him who is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

1 μυῖαι θανατοῦσαι σαπριοῦσιν σκευασίαν ἐλαίου ἡδύσματος· τίμιον ὀλίγον σοφίας ὑπὲρ δόξαν ἀφροσύνης μεγάλης.	1 μυῖαι θανατοῦσαι σαπριοῦσι σκευασίαν ἐλαίου ἡδύσματος· τίμιον ὀλίγον σοφίας ὑπὲρ δόξαν ἀφροσύνης μεγάλην,
1 Pestilent flies will corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment; and a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly.	1 Pestilent flies will corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment; and a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly.

2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

2 καρδία σοφοῦ εἰς δεξιὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ καρδία ἄφρονος εἰς ἀριστερὸν αὐτοῦ·	2 καρδία σοφοῦ εἰς δεξιὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ καρδία ἄφρονος εἰς ἀριστερὸν αὐτοῦ·
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.	2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

3 Yes also, when he who is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

3 καὶ γε ἐν ὁδῷ ὅταν ἄφρων πορεύηται, καρδία αὐτοῦ ὑστερήσει, καὶ ἃ λογιεῖται πάντα ἀφροσύνη ἐστίν.	3 καί γε ἐν ὁδῷ ὅταν ἄφρων πορεύηται, καρδία αὐτοῦ ὑστερήσει, καὶ ἃ λογιεῖται πάντα ἀφροσύνη ἐστίν.
3 Yes, and whenever a fool walks by the way, his heart will fail him, and all that he thinks of is folly.	3 Yes, and whenever a fool walks by the way, his heart will fail him, and all that he thinks of is folly.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, don’t leave your place; for yielding pacifies great offences.

4 ἐὰν πνεῦμα τοῦ ἐξουσιάζοντος ἀναβῇ ἐπὶ σέ, τόπον σου μὴ ἀφῇς, ὅτι ἴαμα καταπαύσει ἁμαρτίας μεγάλας.	4 ἐὰν πνεῦμα τοῦ ἐξουσιάζοντος ἀναβῇ ἐπὶ σέ, τόπον σου μὴ ἀφῇς, ὅτι ἴαμα καταπαύσει ἁμαρτίας μεγάλας.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, don’t leave your place; for soothing will put an end to great offences.	4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, don’t leave your place; for soothing will put an end to great offences.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler.

5 ἔστιν πονηρία, ἣν εἶδον ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον, ὡς ἀκούσιον, ὃ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ ἐξουσιάζοντος·	5 ἔστι πονηρία, ἣν εἶδον ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον, ὡς ἀκούσιον ὃν ἐξῆλθεν ἀπὸ προσώπου ἐξουσιάζοντος·
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, in which an error has proceeded from the ruler.	5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, in which an error has proceeded from the ruler.

6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

6 ἐδόθη ὁ ἄφρων ἐν ὕψεσι μεγάλοις, καὶ πλούσιοι ἐν ταπεινῷ καθήσονται·	6 ἐδόθη ὁ ἄφρων ἐν ὕψεσι μεγάλοις, καὶ πλούσιοι ἐν ταπεινῷ καθήσονται.
6 The fool has been set in very high places, while rich men would sit in a low one.	6 The fool has been set in very high places, while rich men would sit in a low one.

7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.

7 εἶδον δούλους ἐφ’ ἵππους καὶ ἄρχοντας πορευομένους ὡς δούλους ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.	7 εἶδον δούλους ἐφ’ ἵππος καὶ ἄρχοντας πορευομένους ὡς δούλους ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.	7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth.

8 He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

8 ὁ ὀρύσσων βόθρον ἐν αὐτῷ ἐμπεσεῖται, καὶ καθαιροῦντα φραγμόν, δήξεται αὐτὸν ὄφις·	8 ὁ ὀρύσσων βόθρον εἰς αὐτὸν ἐμπεσεῖται, καὶ καθαιροῦντα φραγμόν, δήξεται αὐτὸν ὄφις.
8 He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and him who breaks down a hedge a serpent shall bite.	8 He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and him who breaks down a hedge a serpent shall bite.

9 Whoever removes stones shall be hurt with it; and he who cuts wood shall be endangered by it.

9 ἐξαίρων λίθους διαπονηθήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς, σχίζων ξύλα κινδυνεύσει ἐν αὐτοῖς.	9 ἐξαίρων λίθους διαπονηθήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς, σχίζων ξύλα κινδυνεύσει ἐν αὐτοῖς.
9 He who removes stones shall be troubled by it; he who cuts wood shall be endangered by it.	9 He who removes stones shall be troubled by it; he who cuts wood shall be endangered by it.

10 If the iron be blunt, and he doesn’t whet the edge, then must he use more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct.

10 ἐὰν ἐκπέσῃ τὸ σιδήριον, καὶ αὐτὸς πρόσωπον ἐτάραξεν, καὶ δυνάμεις δυναμώσει, καὶ περισσεία τοῦ ἀνδρείου σοφία.	10 ἐὰν ἐκπέσῃ τὸ σιδήριον, καὶ αὐτὸς πρόσωπον ἐτάραξε, καὶ δυνάμεις δυναμώσει, καὶ περισσεία τοῦ ἀνδρείου σοφία.
10 If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength; and in that case skill is of no advantage to a man.	10 If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength; and in that case skill is of no advantage to a man.

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

11 ἐὰν δάκῃ ὁ ὄφις ἐν οὐ ψιθυρισμῷ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν περισσεία τῷ ἐπᾴδοντι.	11 ἐὰν δάκῃ ὄφις ἐν οὐ ψιθυρισμῷ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι περισσεία τῷ ἐπᾴδοντι.
11 If a serpent bite when there is no charmer’s whisper, then there is no advantage to the charmer.	11 If a serpent bite when there is no charmer’s whisper, then there is no advantage to the charmer.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

12 λόγοι στόματος σοφοῦ χάρις, καὶ χείλη ἄφρονος καταποντιοῦσιν αὐτόν·	12 λόγοι στόματος σοφοῦ χάρις, καὶ χείλη ἄφρονος καταποντιοῦσιν αὐτόν·
12 The words of a wise mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow him up.	12 The words of a wise mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow him up.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

13 ἀρχὴ λόγων στόματος αὐτοῦ ἀφροσύνη, καὶ ἐσχάτη στόματος αὐτοῦ περιφέρεια πονηρά·	13 ἀρχὴ λόγων στόματος αὐτοῦ ἀφροσύνη, καὶ ἐσχάτη στόματος αὐτοῦ περιφέρεια πονηρά,
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk mischievous madness.	13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk mischievous madness.

14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

14 καὶ ὁ ἄφρων πληθύνει λόγους. οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ ἄνθρωπος τί τὸ γενόμενον, καὶ τί τὸ ἐσόμενον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, τίς ἀναγγελεῖ αὐτῷ;	14 καὶ ὁ ἄφρων πληθύνει λόγους, οὐκ ἔγνω ἄνθρωπος τί τὸ γενόμενον, καὶ τί τὸ ἐσόμενον, ὅτι ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, τίς ἀναγγελεῖ αὐτῷ;
14 A fool moreover multiplies words: man doesn’t know what has been, nor what will be: who shall tell him what will come after him?	14 A fool moreover multiplies words: man doesn’t know what has been, nor what will be: who shall tell him what will come after him?

15 The labour of the foolish wearies everyone of them, because he doesn’t know how to go to the city.

15 μόχθος τῶν ἀφρόνων κοπώσει αὐτούς, ὃς οὐκ ἔγνω τοῦ πορευθῆναι εἰς πόλιν.	15 μόχθος τῶν ἀφρόνων κοπώσει αὐτούς, ὃς οὐκ ἔγνω τοῦ πορευθῆναι εἰς πόλιν.
15 The labour of fools will afflict them, as that of one who doesn’t know to go to the city.	15 The labour of fools will afflict them, as that of one who doesn’t know to go to the city.

16 Woe to you, Oh land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!

16 οὐαί σοι, πόλις, ἧς ὁ βασιλεύς σου νεώτερος καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντές σου ἐν πρωίᾳ ἐσθίουσιν·	16 οὐαί σοι, πόλις, ἧς ὁ βασιλεύς σου νεώτερος καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντές σου πρωῒ ἐσθίουσι.
16 Woe to you, Oh city, whose king is young, and your princes eat in the morning!	16 Woe to you, Oh city, whose king is young, and your princes eat in the morning!

17 Blessed are you, Oh land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

17 μακαρία σύ, γῆ, ἧς ὁ βασιλεύς σου υἱὸς ἐλευθέρων καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντές σου πρὸς καιρὸν φάγονται ἐν δυνάμει καὶ οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται.	17 μακαρία σύ, γῆ, ἧς ὁ βασιλεύς σου υἱὸς ἐλευθέρων καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντές σου πρὸς καιρὸν φάγονται ἐν δυνάμει καὶ οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται.
17 Blessed are you, Oh land, whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes shall eat seasonably, for strength, and shall not be ashamed.	17 Blessed are you, Oh land, whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes shall eat seasonably, for strength, and shall not be ashamed.

18 By much slothfullness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.

18 ἐν ὀκνηρίαις ταπεινωθήσεται ἡ δόκωσις, καὶ ἐν ἀργίᾳ χειρῶν στάξει ἡ οἰκία.	18 ἐν ὀκνηρίαις ταπεινωθήσεται ἡ δόκωσις, καὶ ἐν ἀργίᾳ χειρῶν στάξει ἡ οἰκία.
18 By slothful neglect a building will be brought low; and by idleness of the hands the house will fall to pieces.	18 By slothful neglect a building will be brought low; and by idleness of the hands the house will fall to pieces.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers all things.

19 εἰς γέλωτα ποιοῦσιν ἄρτον, καὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει ζῶντας, καὶ τοῦ ἀργυρίου ἐπακούσεται σὺν τὰ πάντα.	19 εἰς γέλωτα ποιοῦσιν ἄρτον καὶ οἶνον καὶ ἔλαιον τοῦ εὐφρανθῆναι ζῶντας, καὶ τοῦ ἀργυρίου ταπεινώσει ἐπακούσεται τὰ πάντας.
19 Men prepare bread for laughter, and wine and oil that the living should rejoice; but with money all things will humbly yield obedience.	19 Men prepare bread for laughter, and wine and oil that the living should rejoice; but with money all things will humbly yield obedience.

20 Don’t curse the king, no not in your thought; and don’t curse the rich in your bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and what has wings shall tell the matter.

20 καὶ γε ἐν συνειδήσει σου βασιλέα μὴ καταράσῃ, καὶ ἐν ταμιείοις κοιτώνων σου μὴ καταράσῃ πλούσιον· ὅτι πετεινὸν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀποίσει σὺν τὴν φωνήν, καὶ ὁ ἔχων τὰς πτέρυγας ἀπαγγελεῖ λόγον.	20 καί γε ἐν συνειδήσει σου βασιλέα μὴ καταράσῃ, καὶ ἐν ταμιείοις κοιτώνων σου μὴ καταράσῃ πλούσιον· ὅτι πετεινὸν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀποίσει σὺν τὴν φωνήν σου, καὶ ὁ ἔχων τὰς πτέρυγας ἀπαγγελεῖ λόγον σου.
20 Even in your conscience, don’t curse the king; and don’t curse the rich in your bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry your voice, and what has wings shall report your speech.	20 Even in your conscience, don’t curse the king; and don’t curse the rich in your bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry your voice, and what has wings shall report your speech.