ESV: Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
NIV: As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
NASB: Dead flies turn a perfumer’s oil rancid, so a little foolishness is more potent than wisdom and honor.
CSB: Dead flies make a perfumer's oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
NLT: As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.
KJV: Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
NKJV: Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.
