Which Bible translation is shown on Ecclesiastes 10?

This page reproduces the public-domain World English Bible Protestant edition.

How should I cite a verse in Ecclesiastes 10?

Use the book, chapter, and verse, and name the World English Bible when the wording matters.

Ecclesiastes 10 (WEB) — Full Text

Old Testament

Ecclesiastes 10

1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.

3Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

4If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which 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 earth.

8He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.

10If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.

12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

14A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?

15The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.

16Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!

17Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.

20Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

A searching reflection on mortality, work, pleasure, wisdom, and life as God's gift. Read Ecclesiastes 10 within the complete Ecclesiastes overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Ecclesiastes 10

Ecclesiastes 10 contains 20 verses and about 381 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 20 closes: “Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell…” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include fool, don’t, princes, whoever, doesn’t, words. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Ecclesiastes 10

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Ecclesiastes 10:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.