Ecclesiastes 10

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

Ecclesiastes 10 contrasts the practical outcomes of wisdom and foolishness through a series of observations about daily life and societal order. The text notes how minor follies damage honor, and describes the predictable behaviors and poor judgment characteristic of fools. It highlights social inversions where rulers place unqualified individuals in high positions while nobles are degraded. Various physical hazards and labor activities are mentioned, illustrating that lack of skill or preparation leads to danger and extra effort. Finally, the chapter addresses political leadership, warning against idle governance, improper feasting, and speaking curses against rulers, since words can be unexpectedly overheard and reported.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. ²A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left. ³Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. ⁴If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest. ⁵There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler: ⁶Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions. ⁷I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. ⁸He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake. ⁹The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself. ¹⁰If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success. ¹¹If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. ¹²The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. ¹³The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. ¹⁴Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? ¹⁵The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. ¹⁶Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. ¹⁷Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness. ¹⁸Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks. ¹⁹A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. ²⁰Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.