Holman Christian Standard Bible

Ecclesiastes 10:10-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

10. If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge,then one must exert more strength;however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.

11. If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.

12. The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

13. The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly,but the end of his speaking is evil madness.

14. Yet the fool multiplies words.No one knows what will happen,and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?

15. The struggles of fools weary them,for they don’t know how to go to the city.

16. Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning.

17. Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of noblesand your princes feast at the proper time —for strength and not for drunkenness.