Ecclesiastes 10
All 20 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.
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- 1Dead flies cause the perfumer's ointment to send forth a stinking smell; so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.
- 2A wise person's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart is at his left.
- 3Also, when a fool walks along the way, his wisdom fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
- 4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place, for yielding pacifies great offenses.
- 5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, like an error that proceeds from the ruler:
- 6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
- 7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the ground.
- 8Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it, and whoever breaks through a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
- 9Whoever removes stones shall be hurt by them, and whoever splits wood shall be endangered by it.
- 10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must put forth more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct.
- 11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment, and a babbler is no better.
- 12The words of a wise person's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
- 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
- 14A fool also is full of words; a person cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
- 15The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he does not know how to go to the city.
- 16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
- 17Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
- 18By much slothfulness the building decays, and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.
- 19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry, but money answers all things.
- 20Do not curse the king, no, not in your thought, and do not curse the rich in your bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.