Ecclesiastes 10:12-20

12People respect a wise person, because of the things that he says. But the words of a fool will destroy him.

13When a fool starts to speak, he says silly things. When he finishes, he is saying crazy things that are wicked.

14But he never stops talking. Nobody knows what will happen in the future. Nobody can tell us what will happen after we die.

15When a fool does any work, he quickly becomes tired. He is so tired that he forgets the way to town.

16A country is in terrible trouble if its ruler is young and foolish. If its leaders go to parties all day, a country is in trouble.

17But if a country's ruler belongs to a good family, that country will be a happy place. Its leaders only enjoy parties at the proper time. They control themselves and they do not become drunk.

18If a man is too lazy to work on his house, its roof will fall down. Rain will make his rooms wet.

19Good food and wine help us to laugh and to be happy. But you need to have money to buy everything.

20Do not say bad things about the king. Do not even think about it! Even when you are in your bedroom, do not say bad things about rich people. A little bird might hear you. It might tell people what you have said.