Ecclesiastes 10:16-11:2

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁶ Woe to you, land, when your king is a youth^(A)
and your princes feast in the morning.
¹⁷ Blessed are you, land, when your king is a son of nobles
and your princes feast at the proper time—
for strength and not for drunkenness.^(B)
18 Because of laziness the roof caves in,
and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
¹⁹ A feast is prepared for laughter,
and wine makes life happy,^(C)
and money^[a] is the answer for everything.^(D)
20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,^(E)
and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom,^(F)
for a bird of the sky may carry the message,
and a winged creature may report the matter.

11 Send your bread on the surface of the water,^(G)
for after many days you may find it.
² Give a portion to seven or even to eight,^(H)
for you don’t know what disaster may happen on earth.