📖 Ecclesiastes — Chapter 10 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 RTDead 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.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 A Rwise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
Ecclesiastes 10:3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, This wisdom faileth him, Rand he saith to every one that he is a fool.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, Rleave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is Ran evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth Tfrom the ruler:
Ecclesiastes 10:6 RFolly is set Tin great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 10:8 He Rthat diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Ecclesiastes 10:9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but Rwisdom is profitable to direct.
Ecclesiastes 10:11 Surely Rthe serpent will bite without enchantment; and Ta babbler is no better.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 The Rwords of a wise man’s mouth are Tgracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Ecclesiastes 10:13 The Rbeginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of This talk is mischievous madness.
Ecclesiastes 10:14 A Rfool also Tis full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
Ecclesiastes 10:15 The Rlabour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to thee, O land, Rwhen thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed art thou, O land, Rwhen thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
Ecclesiastes 10:19 A Rfeast is made for laughter, and wine Tmaketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy RTthought; 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.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 10:1–7 — Small folly and disorderly power
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A little folly can spoil a reputation like dead flies spoil ointment. Anger, poor appointments, and inverted social order reveal failures of judgment.
Key Truth: Do not excuse small acts of folly.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in …” (Ecclesiastes 10:6)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:6 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “If the ____ of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy …” (Ecclesiastes 10:4)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “I have ____ servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the …” (Ecclesiastes 10:7)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 10:8–14 — Skill, caution, and wise words
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Digging, breaking, cutting, and working require care and sharpened tools. A fool’s multiplied words contrast with wise, gracious speech and honest limits.
Key Truth: Pair effort with skill and careful speech.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “He that ____ a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an …” (Ecclesiastes 10:8)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:8 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is …” (Ecclesiastes 10:11)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:11 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a ____ will swallow up himself.” (Ecclesiastes 10:12)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ecclesiastes 10:15–20 — Responsible leadership and guarded talk
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Leadership serving strength rather than drunken excess benefits a land. Laziness damages a house, and even private hostile speech may travel farther than intended.
Key Truth: Act responsibly and guard your words.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “The labour of the ____ wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how …” (Ecclesiastes 10:15)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:15 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “By much ____ the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the …” (Ecclesiastes 10:18)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:18 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the ____ in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall …” (Ecclesiastes 10:20)
Find it in Ecclesiastes 10:20 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 15:28 — A righteous heart studies how to answer.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What tool, skill, or speaking habit needs attention?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What does the dead-flies image teach about reputation?
2. What response is commended when a ruler’s anger rises?
3. How does the blunt-iron comparison show wisdom’s usefulness?
4. How does speech distinguish the wise from the fool?
5. What connects decay with neglected responsibility?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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