1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Dead H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
- flies H2070 (זְבוּב) — a fly (especially one of a stinging nature)
- cause the ointment H8081 (שֶׁמֶן) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
- of the apothecary H7543 (רָקַח) — to perfume
- to send forth H5042 (נָבַע) — to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor)
- a stinking savour H887 (בָּאַשׁ) — to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
- a little H4592 (מְעַט) — a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
- folly H5531 (סִכְלוּת) — silliness
- him that is in reputation H3368 (יָקָר) — valuable (objectively or subjectively)
- for wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- honour H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A wise man’s H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- at his right hand H3225 (יָמִין) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
- but a fool’s H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- at his left H8040 (שְׂמֹאול) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
3 Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Yea also, when he that is a fool H5530 (סָכָל) — silly
- walketh H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- by the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- his wisdom H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- faileth H2638 (חָסֵר) — lacking; hence, without
- and he saith H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- a fool H5530 (סָכָל) — silly
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- If the spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- of the ruler H4910 (מָשַׁל) — to rule
- rise up H5927 (עָלָה) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
- against thee, leave H3240 (יָנַח) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
- not thy place H4725 (מָקוֹם) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
- for yielding H4832 (מַרְפֵּא) — properly, curative, i.e. literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely) deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity
- pacifieth H3240 (יָנַח) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
- great H1419 (גָּדוֹל) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
- offences H2399 (חֵטְא) — a crime or its penalty
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- There is H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- an evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- I have seen H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- as an error H7684 (שְׁגָגָה) — a mistake or inadvertent transgression
- proceedeth H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
- from H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- the ruler H7989 (שַׁלִּיט) — potent; concretely, a prince or warrior
6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Folly H5529 (סֶכֶל) — silliness; concretely and collectively, dolts
- is set H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- in great H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
- dignity H4791 (מָרוֹם) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
- and the rich H6223 (עָשִׁיר) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
- sit H3427 (יָשַׁב) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
- in low place H8216 (שֶׁפֶל) — an humble rank
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I have seen H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- upon horses H5483 (סוּס) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight)
- and princes H8269 (שַׂר) — a head person (of any rank or class)
- walking H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- as servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- upon the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He that diggeth H2658 (חָפַר) — properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore
- a pit H1475 (גּוּמָּץ) — a pit
- shall fall H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
- into it; and whoso breaketh H6555 (פָּרַץ) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)
- an hedge H1447 (גָּדֵר) — a circumvallation; by implication, an inclosure
- a serpent H5175 (נָחָשׁ) — a snake (from its hiss)
- shall bite H5391 (נָשַׁךְ) — to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan
9 Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Whoso removeth H5265 (נָסַע) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on a journey
- stones H68 (אֶבֶן) — a stone
- shall be hurt H6087 (עָצַב) — properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or anger
- he that cleaveth H1234 (בָּקַע) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
- wood H6086 (עֵץ) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
- shall be endangered H5533 (סָכַן) — properly, to cut, i.e. damage; also to grow (causatively, make) poor
10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- If the iron H1270 (בַּרְזֶל) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
- be blunt H6949 (קָהָה) — to be dull
- and he do not whet H7043 (קָלַל) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
- the edge H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- then must he put H1396 (גָּבַר) — to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently
- to more strength H2428 (חַיִל) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
- but wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- profitable H3504 (יִתְרוֹן) — preeminence, gain
- to direct H3787 (כָּשֵׁר) — by implication, to be acceptable; also to succeed or prosper
11 If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Surely the serpent H5175 (נָחָשׁ) — a snake (from its hiss)
- will bite H5391 (נָשַׁךְ) — to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan
- without enchantment H3908 (לַחַשׁ) — properly, a whisper, i.e. by implication, (in a good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad one) an incantation; concretely, an amulet
- and a babbler H1167 (בַּעַל) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
- and a babbler H3956 (לָשׁוֹן) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of…
- is no better H3504 (יִתְרוֹן) — preeminence, gain
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- of a wise man’s H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- gracious H2580 (חֵן) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
- but the lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- of a fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- will swallow up H1104 (בָּלַע) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The beginning H8462 (תְּחִלָּה) — a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)
- of the words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- of his mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- foolishness H5531 (סִכְלוּת) — silliness
- and the end H319 (אַחֲרִית) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
- of his talk H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- mischievous H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- madness H1948 (הוֹלֵלוּת) — folly
14 A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A fool H5530 (סָכָל) — silly
- also is full H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- of words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- a man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- cannot tell H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- what shall be; and what shall be after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
- him, who can tell H5046 (נָגַד) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present…
15 The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- of the foolish H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- wearieth H3021 (יָגַע) — properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil
- every one of them, because he knoweth H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- not how to go H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- to the city H5892 (עִיר) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Woe H337 (אִי) — alas!
- to thee, O land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- when thy king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- a child H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
- and thy princes H8269 (שַׂר) — a head person (of any rank or class)
- eat H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
- in the morning H1242 (בֹּקֶר) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Blessed H835 (אֶשֶׁר) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
- thou, O land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- when thy king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- the son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- of nobles H2715 (חֹר) — properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire); hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
- and thy princes H8269 (שַׂר) — a head person (of any rank or class)
- eat H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
- in due season H6256 (עֵת) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
- for strength H1369 (גְּבוּרָה) — force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
- and not for drunkenness H8358 (שְׁתִי) — intoxicaion
18 By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- By much slothfulness H6103 (עַצְלָה) — (as abstractly) indolence
- the building H4746 (מְקָרֶה) — properly, something meeting, i.e. a frame (of timbers)
- decayeth H4355 (מָכַךְ) — to tumble (in ruins); figuratively, to perish
- and through idleness H8220 (שִׁפְלוּת) — remissness
- of the hands H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- the house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- droppeth through H1811 (דָּלַף) — to drip; by implication, to weep
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A feast H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- is made H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- for laughter H7814 (שְׂחוֹק) — laughter (in merriment or defiance)
- and wine H3196 (יַיִן) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
- maketh merry H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- maketh merry H8055 (שָׂמַח) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
- but money H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
- answereth H6030 (עָנָה) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, a…
20 Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Curse H7043 (קָלַל) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
- not the king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- no not in thy thought H4093 (מַדָּע) — intelligence or consciousness
- and curse H7043 (קָלַל) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
- not the rich H6223 (עָשִׁיר) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
- in thy bedchamber H4904 (מִשְׁכָּב) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
- in thy bedchamber H2315 (חֶדֶר) — an apartment (usually literal)
- for a bird H5775 (עוֹף) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
- of the air H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
- shall carry H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- the voice H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
- and that which hath H1167 (בַּעַל) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
- wings H3671 (כָּנָף) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle
- shall tell H5046 (נָגַד) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present…
- the matter H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause