Ecclesiastes 10:4–7

4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you,

do not leave your post;

calmness can lay great offenses to rest.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,

the sort of error that arises from a ruler:

6 Fools are put in many high positions,

while the rich occupy the low ones.

7 I have seen slaves on horseback,

while princes go on foot like slaves.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

4 If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit!

A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

5 There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake 6 when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. 7 I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!

4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you,

Do not leave your post;

For conciliation pacifies great offenses.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,

As an error proceeding from the ruler:

6 Folly is set in great dignity,

While the rich sit in a lowly place.

7 I have seen servants on horses,

While princes walk on the ground like servants.

4 Don’t leave your job

just because your boss is angry with you.

Remaining calm solves great problems.

5 There is something else wrong that happens here on earth.

It is the kind of mistake rulers make:

6 Fools are given important positions

while gifted people are given lower ones;

7 I have seen servants ride horses

while princes walk like servants on foot.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences. 5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error that proceedeth from the ruler: 6 folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

4 If a ruler becomes angry with you, don’t resign your position. If you remain calm, you can make up for serious offenses. 

5 There is a tragedy that I’ve seen under the sun, an error often made by rulers. 6 Foolish people are often given high positions, and rich people are left to fill lower positions. 7 I have seen slaves sitting on horses and influential people going on foot like slaves. 

4 If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your place,

for calmness puts great offenses to rest.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:

6 The fool is appointed to great heights,

but the rich remain in lowly positions.

7 I have seen slaves on horses,

but princes walking on the ground like slaves.

4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post,

for calmness will undo great offenses.

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you,

do not leave your post,

for calmness can undo great offenses.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun—

it is an error that proceeds from a ruler!

6 The fool is set in many high places,

but the rich sit in lowly places.

7 I have even seen slaves riding on horses

and princes walking like slaves on the earth!

4 Suppose a ruler gets very angry with you.

If he does, don’t quit your job in the palace.

Stay calm. That will overcome the effects of your big mistakes.

5 Here’s something evil I’ve seen on this earth.

And it’s the kind of mistake that rulers make.

6 Foolish people are given many important jobs.

Rich people are given unimportant ones.

7 I’ve seen slaves on horseback.

I’ve also seen princes who were forced to walk as if they were slaves.

4 If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler—

6 folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.

7 I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.