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VERSESCOPE

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Ecclesiastes 10

Highlighted words differ from the KJV. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

  1. 1
    KJVDead 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.
    WEBDead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
  2. 2
    KJVA wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
    WEBA wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
  3. 3
    KJVYea 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.
    WEBYes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
  4. 4
    KJVIf the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
    WEBIf the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
  5. 5
    KJVThere is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
    WEBThere is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
  6. 6
    KJVFolly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
    WEBFolly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
  7. 7
    KJVI have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
    WEBI have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
  8. 8
    KJVHe that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
    WEBHe who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
  9. 9
    KJVWhoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
    WEBWhoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
  10. 10
    KJVIf the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
    WEBIf the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
  11. 11
    KJVSurely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
    WEBIf the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
  12. 12
    KJVThe words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
    WEBThe words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
  13. 13
    KJVThe beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
    WEBThe beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
  14. 14
    KJVA fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
    WEBA fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
  15. 15
    KJVThe labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
    WEBThe labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
  16. 16
    KJVWoe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
    WEBWoe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
  17. 17
    KJVBlessed 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!
    WEBHappy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
  18. 18
    KJVBy much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
    WEBBy slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
  19. 19
    KJVA feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
    WEBA feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
  20. 20
    KJVCurse 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.
    WEBDon’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.
  • King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.
  • World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.