Ecclesiastes 9:13-11:8

13 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: 14 There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. 16 So I said, Wisdom is better than strength. But the poor mans wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

17The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

10:1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.2The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.3Even as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how stupid they are.4If a rulers anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.

5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:6Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.9Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

10If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened,more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.

11If a snake bites before it is charmed, the charmer receives no fee.

12Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.13At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness14 and fools multiply words.

No one knows what is coming who can tell someone else what will happen after them?

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

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

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

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

20Do not revile the king 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

11:1 Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.2Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

3If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth.Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie.4Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

5As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mothers womb,so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

6Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle,for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.Remember Your Creator While Young

7Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.8However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all.But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.