Ecclesiastes 10:20
What does Ecclesiastes 10:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 10:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Curse 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Say not a curse against the king, even in your thoughts; and even secretly say not a curse against the man of wealth; because a bird of the air will take the voice, and that which has wings will give news of it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Even in thy mind a king revile not, And in the inner parts of thy bed-chamber Revile not the rich: For a fowl of the heavens causeth the voice to go, And a possessor of wings declareth the word.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
Context
v.19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.
v.20This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 12:2
But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
- Ecclesiastes 7:21
Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;
- Isaiah 8:21
And they shall pass through it, sore distressed and hungry; and it shall come to pass that, when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse by their king and by their God, and turn their faces upward:
- Acts 23:5
And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.
- 2 Kings 6:12
And one of his servants said, Nay, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
- Luke 10:40
But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
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