Ecclesiastes 10:12-20

12A wise person’s words win favors, but a fool’s lips are self-destructive.

13A fool starts out by talking foolishness and ends up saying crazy things that are dangerous.

14He never stops talking. No one knows what the future will bring, or what will happen after ⌞death⌟. Who can say!

15Fools wear themselves out with hard work, because they don’t even know the way to town.

16How horrible it will be for any country where the king used to be a servant and where the high officials throw parties in the morning.

17A country is blessed when the king is from a noble family and when the high officials eat at the right time in order to get strength and not to get drunk.

18A roof sags because of laziness. A house leaks because of idle hands.

19A meal is made for laughter, and wine makes life pleasant, but money is the answer for everything.

20Don’t curse the king even in your thoughts, and don’t curse rich people even in your bedroom. A bird may carry your words, or some winged creature may repeat what you say.