16 Woe to the land whose king was a servant[a](A)
    and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
    and whose princes eat at a proper time—
    for strength and not for drunkenness.(B)

18 Through laziness, the rafters sag;
    because of idle hands, the house leaks.(C)

19 A feast is made for laughter,
    wine(D) makes life merry,
    and money is the answer for everything.

20 Do not revile the king(E) even in your thoughts,
    or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words,
    and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Invest in Many Ventures

11 Ship(F) your grain across the sea;
    after many days you may receive a return.(G)
Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
    you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 10:16 Or king is a child

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