Ecclesiastes 10:5-12
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 10
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like a mistake that proceeds from the ruler: 6foolishness is set in many exalted places while the rich sit in humble places. 7I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.
8One who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite one who breaks through a wall.
9One who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
11If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no benefit for the charmer.
12Words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;
King James Version
Chapter 10
5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 10
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
7I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success.
11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
12The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
New Living Translation
Chapter 10
5There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake 6when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. 7I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes — and princes walking like servants!English Standard Version
Chapter 10
5There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
12The words of a wise man 's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
New International Version
Chapter 10
5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: 6Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.
7I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
New King James Version
