“Through negligent sloth
The roof sinks in.
Through negligent indolence
The house leaks.
Feasts are made for laughter.
Wine gladdens life.
Money meets every need.
Do not curse the king,
Even in your thoughts.
Do not curse the rich,
Even in your bedchamber.
A bird of the air
May carry your voice.
Some winged creature tells the matter.”
Qoheleth reminds us that if we negligent and lazy, the roof will sink in and our house will leak. In an interesting comment on life, he says that feasts were made for laughter. Wine adds gladness to our lives, just as money meets every need, or more or less solves all problems. Then he reminded people to be careful about their words and thoughts. Do not even think about cursing the king. Don’t say anything about the rich even in your bedroom. The reason is that a little bird may carry you voice to someone who might not like what you are thinking or saying. The same is true for some winged creature who might reveal what you were saying and thinking.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 