LEB ECC Chapter 10

Accidents Happen—Even to Professionals

• 8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.
  • Whoever breaks through a wall, a snake will bite him.
• 9 Whoever quarries[fn] stones will be wounded by them.
  • Whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.

Hard Work and Skill Alone Cannot Succeed—Wisdom is Necessary

• 10 If the ax is blunt but one does not sharpen its edge,
  • he must exert more effort ,[fn]
• but the advantage of wisdom is it brings success.
• 11 If the snake bites before the charming,
  • the snake charmer will not succeed .[fn]

The Consequences of Foolishness

• 12 The wise man wins favor by the words of his mouth,
  • but the fool is devoured by his own lips.
• 13 He begins by saying what is foolish
  • and ends by uttering what is wicked delusion.
• 14 The fool talks too much ,[fn]
  • for no one knows what will be.
    • Who can tell anyone what will happen in the future ?[fn]
• 15 The fool is so worn out by a hard day’s work
  • he cannot even find his way home at night .[fn]
• 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth
  • and your princes feast in the morning.
• 17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobility
  • and your princes feast at the proper time—
    • to gain strength and not to get drunk.
• 18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
  • and through idleness of hands the house leaks.
• 19 Feasts are held for celebration ,[fn]
  • wine cheers the living,
    • and money answers everything.
• 20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,
  • and do not curse the rich even in your own bedroom,
• for a bird of the sky may carry your voice;
  • a winged messenger may repeat your words.