{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/akjv/ecclesiastes/10","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-29T22:40:14.329Z"},"reference":{"translation":"AKJV","book":"Ecclesiastes","bookSlug":"ecclesiastes","chapter":10,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":9,"nextChapter":11,"totalChapters":12,"totalVerses":20},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he said to every one that he is a fool."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler:"},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall be endangered thereby."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"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."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?"},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!"},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"Blessed 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!"},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through."},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter."}],"citation":{"inline":"Ecclesiastes 10 (AKJV)","markdown":"[Ecclesiastes 10](https://primebible.com/akjv/ecclesiastes/10)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* AKJV. https://primebible.com/akjv/ecclesiastes/10 (accessed 2026-05-29)."}}