let them sing before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.(A)

Read full chapter

15 The toil of fools wearies them;
    they do not know the way to town.

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 10:16 Or king is a child

Bible Gateway Recommends