Ecclesiastes 10:16-20

16 Woe to the land whose king was a servant[a]and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.
18 Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.
20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Isa 3:4-5,12
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 14:26; S 1 Samuel 25:36; S Proverbs 31:4
  • 3. Proverbs 20:4; S Proverbs 24:30-34
  • 4. S Genesis 14:18; S Judges 9:13
  • 5. S Exodus 22:28

Footnotes 1

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.