Ecclesiastes 10
Lutheran reading notes
In Ecclesiastes chapter 10, the wisdom literature continues to explore the meaning of life and reverence for God amid life's vanity. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
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. {Dead...: Heb. Flies of death}
Ecclesiastes 10:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
A wise man's heart {is} at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
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. {his...: Heb. his heart}
Ecclesiastes 10:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
There is an evil {which} I have seen under the sun, as an error {which} proceedeth from the ruler: {from: Heb. from before}
Ecclesiastes 10:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. {in great...: Heb. in great heights}
Ecclesiastes 10:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 10:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Ecclesiastes 10:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; {and} he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
Ecclesiastes 10:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
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.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. {a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue}
Ecclesiastes 10:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
The words of a wise man's mouth {are} gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. {gracious: Heb. grace}
Ecclesiastes 10:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
The beginning of the words of his mouth {is} foolishness: and the end of his talk {is} mischievous madness. {his talk: Heb. his mouth}
Ecclesiastes 10:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? {is full...: Heb. multiplieth words}
Ecclesiastes 10:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Ecclesiastes 10:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king {is} a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Ecclesiastes 10:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
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!
Ecclesiastes 10:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
Ecclesiastes 10:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all {things}. {maketh...: Heb. maketh glad the life}
Ecclesiastes 10:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
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. {thought: or, conscience}
Ecclesiastes 10:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.