Translation comparison

Ecclesiastes 10

20 aligned verses; 20 with wording or punctuation differences .

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Verse KJV King James Version BSB Berean Standard Bible
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 .
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor .
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
A wise man’s heart inclines to the right , but the heart of a fool to the left.
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.
Even as the fool walks along the road , his sense is lacking , and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee , leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences .
If the ruler’s temper flares against you , do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest .
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun , as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
There is an evil I have seen under the sun an error that proceeds from the ruler:
Folly is set in great dignity , and the rich sit in low place .
Folly is appointed to great heights , but the rich sit in lowly positions .
I have seen servants upon horses , and princes walking as servants upon the earth .
I have seen slaves on horseback , while princes go on foot like slaves .
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it ; and whoso breaketh an hedge , a serpent shall bite him .
He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake .
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby .
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself .
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 .
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened , more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success .
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better .
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer .
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious ; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself .
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious , but the lips of a fool consume him .
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
A fool also is full of words : a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him , who can tell him?
Yet the fool multiplies words . No one knows what is coming , and who can tell him what will come after him ?
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them , because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
The toil of a fool wearies him , for he does not know the way to the city.
Woe to thee , O land , when thy king is a child , and thy princes eat in the morning !
Woe to you , O land whose king is a youth , and whose princes feast in the morning .
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 !
Blessed are you , O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness .
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through .
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks .
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry : but money answereth all things .
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry , but money is the answer for everything .
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 .
Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words , and a winged creature may report your speech .

Scripture text: King James Version and Berean Standard Bible. UK publication rights are administered by the Crown's patentee; public domain in most other jurisdictions.; Public domain; source text distributed by BSB Publishing, LLC..