{"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/web/ecclesiastes/10","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-29T22:11:19.160Z"},"reference":{"translation":"WEB","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 oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh 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 the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don't leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips."},{"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 multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?"},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know how to go to the city."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!"},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"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!"},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks."},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"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."}],"citation":{"inline":"Ecclesiastes 10 (WEB)","markdown":"[Ecclesiastes 10](https://primebible.com/web/ecclesiastes/10)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* WEB. https://primebible.com/web/ecclesiastes/10 (accessed 2026-05-29)."}}