4If the spirit of the ruler arises against you, don’t leave your place,
because calmness can let go of great wrongdoings.
5There’s something bad I have seen under the sun,
that a mistake comes from a ruler.
6Folly has been put in many high positions,
and rich people sit in a lowly place.
7I have seen slaves on horses,
and princes walking on the land like slaves.
8The person who digs a pit may fall into it;
the person who breaks down a wall – a snake may bite them!
9The person who quarries stones may be hurt by them;
the person who splits logs is endangered by them.
10If the iron has become dull,
and (the worker) hasn’t sharpened it before,
they must exert more strength,
so wisdom is a value for giving success.
11If the snake bites when there’s no spell,
there’s no profit in a tongue-master (magician) .
Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me
Be thou a smooth path below me
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me
Today – tonight -forever
Amen.
St Columba