Ecclesiastes 10 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Ecclesiastes 10 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
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.
ASV Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
WEB Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
YLT Dead flies cause a perfumer's perfume To send forth a stink; The precious by reason of wisdom--By reason of honour--a little folly!
DRB Dying flies spoil the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a small and shortlived folly.
DBY Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
GNV Dead flies cause to stinke, and putrifie the ointment of the apoticarie: so doeth a litle follie him that is in estimation for wisedome, and for glorie.
LSB Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little simpleminded folly is weightier than wisdom and honor.
Verse 2
KJV A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
ASV A wise man`s heart is at his right hand; but a fool`s heart at his left.
WEB A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
YLT The heart of the wise <FI>is<Fi> at his right hand, And the heart of a fool at his left.
DRB The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a fool is in his left hand.
DBY The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
GNV The heart of a wise man is at his right hand: but the heart of a foole is at his left hand.
LSB A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.
Verse 3
KJV Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
ASV Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
WEB Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
YLT And also, when he that is a fool Is walking in the way, his heart is lacking, And he hath said to every one, `He <FI>is<Fi> a fool.'
DRB Yea, and the fool when he walketh in the way, whereas he himself is a fool, esteemeth all men fools.
DBY Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
GNV And also when the foole goeth by the way, his heart faileth, and he telleth vnto all that he is a foole.
LSB Even when the simpleminded fool walks along the road, his heart lacks wisdom, and he says to all that he is a simpleminded fool.
Verse 4
KJV If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
ASV If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.
WEB If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
YLT If the spirit of the ruler go up against thee, Thy place leave not, For yielding quieteth great sinners.
DRB If the spirit of him that hath power, ascend upon thee, leave not thy place: because care will make the greatest sins to cease.
DBY If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.
GNV If the spirite of him that ruleth, rise vp against thee, leaue not thy place: for gentlenes pacifieth great sinnes.
LSB If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because calmness causes great offenses to be abandoned.
Verse 5
KJV There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
ASV There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
WEB There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
YLT There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error that goeth out from the ruler,
DRB There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were by an error proceeding from the face of the prince:
DBY There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
GNV There is an euil that I haue seene vnder the sunne, as an errour that proceedeth from the face of him that ruleth.
LSB There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake which goes forth from the one in power—
Verse 6
KJV Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
ASV folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
WEB Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
YLT He hath set the fool in many high places, And the rich in a low place do sit.
DRB A fool set in high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath.
DBY folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
GNV Follie is set in great excellencie, and the riche set in the lowe place.
LSB folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.
Verse 7
KJV I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
ASV I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.
WEB I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
YLT I have seen servants on horses, And princes walking as servants on the earth.
DRB I have seen servants upon horses: and princes walking on the ground as servants.
DBY I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
GNV I haue seene seruants on horses, and princes walking as seruants on the ground.
LSB I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.
Verse 8
KJV He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
ASV He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him.
WEB He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
YLT Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And whoso is breaking a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
DRB He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
DBY He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
GNV He that diggeth a pit, shall fal into it, and he that breaketh the hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
LSB He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.
Verse 9
KJV Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
ASV Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
WEB Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.
YLT Whoso is removing stones is grieved by them, Whoso is cleaving trees endangered by them.
DRB He that removeth stones, shall be hurt by them: and he that cutteth trees, shall be wounded by them.
DBY Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
GNV He that remooueth stones, shall hurt himselfe thereby, and hee that cutteth wood, shall be in danger thereby.
LSB He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.
Verse 10
KJV If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
ASV If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
WEB If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
YLT If the iron hath been blunt, And he the face hath not sharpened, Then doth he increase strength, And wisdom <FI>is<Fi> advantageous to make right.
DRB If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom.
DBY If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
GNV If the yron be blunt, and one hath not whet the edge, he must then put to more strength: but the excellencie to direct a thing is wisedome.
LSB If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
Verse 11
KJV Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
ASV If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
WEB If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
YLT If the serpent biteth without enchantment, Then there is no advantage to a master of the tongue.
DRB If a serpent bite in silence, he is nothing better that backbiteth secretly.
DBY If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
GNV If the serpent bite, when he is not charmed: no better is a babbler.
LSB If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no advantage for the charmer.
Verse 12
KJV The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
ASV The words of a wise man`s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
WEB The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
YLT Words of the mouth of the wise <FI>are<Fi> gracious, And the lips of a fool swallow him up.
DRB The words of the mouth of a wise man are grace: but the lips of a fool shall throw him down headlong.
DBY The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
GNV The words of ye mouth of a wise man haue grace: but the lippes of a foole deuoure himselfe.
LSB Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool swallow him up;
Verse 13
KJV The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
ASV The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
WEB The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
YLT The beginning of the words of his mouth <FI>is<Fi> folly, And the latter end of his mouth <FI>Is<Fi> mischievous madness.
DRB The beginning of his words is folly, and the end of his talk is a mischievous error.
DBY The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
GNV The beginning of the wordes of his mouth is foolishnesse, and the latter ende of his mouth is wicked madnesse.
LSB the beginning of the words of his mouth is simpleminded folly, and the end of what comes from his mouth is evil madness.
Verse 14
KJV A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
ASV A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
WEB A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
YLT And the fool multiplieth words: `Man knoweth not that which is, And that which is after him, who doth declare to him?'
DRB A fool multiplieth words. A man cannot tell what hath been before him: and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
DBY And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?
GNV For the foole multiplieth woordes, saying, Man knoweth not what shall be: and who can tell him what shall be after him?
LSB Yet the simpleminded fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?
Verse 15
KJV The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
ASV The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
WEB The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
YLT The labour of the foolish wearieth him, In that he hath not known to go unto the city.
DRB The labour of fools shall afflict them that know not how to go to the city.
DBY The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
GNV The labour of the foolish doeth wearie him: for he knoweth not to goe into the citie.
LSB The labor of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.
Verse 16
KJV Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
ASV Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
WEB Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
YLT Woe to thee, O land, when thy king <FI>is<Fi> a youth, And thy princes do eat in the morning.
DRB Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and when the princes eat in the morning.
DBY Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
GNV Woe to thee, O lande, when thy King is a childe, and thy princes eate in the morning.
LSB Woe to you, O land, whose king is a young man and whose princes eat in the morning.
Verse 17
KJV Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
ASV Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
WEB Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
YLT Happy art thou, O land, When thy king <FI>is<Fi> a son of freemen, And thy princes do eat in due season, For might, and not for drunkenness.
DRB Blessed is the land, whose king is noble, and whose princes eat in due season for refreshment, and not for riotousness.
DBY Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
GNV Blessed art thou, O land, when thy King is the sonne of nobles, and thy princes eate in time, for strength and not for drunkennesse.
LSB Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for might and not for drinking.
Verse 18
KJV By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
ASV By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.
WEB By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
YLT By slothfulness is the wall brought low, And by idleness of the hands doth the house drop.
DRB By slothfulness a building shall be brought down, and through the weakness of hands, the house shall drop through.
DBY By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.
GNV By slouthfulnes the roofe of the house goeth to decaie, and by the ydlenesse of the handes the house droppeth through.
LSB Through indolence the beams sag, and through slack hands the house leaks.
Verse 19
KJV A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
ASV A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.
WEB A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
YLT For mirth they are making a feast, And wine maketh life joyful, And the silver answereth with all.
DRB For laughter they make bread, and wine that the living may feast: and all things obey money.
DBY A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.
GNV They prepare bread for laughter, and wine comforteth the liuing, but siluer answereth to all.
LSB Men prepare bread for laughter, and wine makes life glad, and money is the answer to everything.
Verse 20
KJV Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
ASV Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
WEB 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 the matter.
YLT Even in thy mind a king revile not, And in the inner parts of thy bed-chamber Revile not the rich: For a fowl of the heavens causeth the voice to go, And a possessor of wings declareth the word.
DRB Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.
DBY Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
GNV Curse not the King, no not in thy thought, neither curse the rich in thy bed chamber: for the foule of the heauen shall carie the voice, and that which hath wings, shall declare the matter.
LSB Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the sky will bring the sound and the winged creature will tell the matter.