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Ecclesiastes 10:17

Self-controlAuthority and leadership

15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.

Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.

18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.
KJV
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!
WEB
Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
ASV
Happy 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!
DARBY
Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
BLB
Blessed [are] you, O land, that your king [is] a son of nobles, and your princes feast in due season—for strength and not for drunkenness!
ÅB
Lykkelige land som har en konge av edel slekt, og hvis fyrster holder måltid i sømmelig tid, som menn og ikke som drankere!
OTB
Velsignet er det landet hvis konge er av adelig fødsel, og hvis fyrster spiser til rett tid—for styrke og ikke for drukkenskap.
B1930
Lykkelige land som har en konge av edel ætt, og hvis fyrster holder måltid i sømmelig tid, som menn og ikke som drankere!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Proverbs 31:4–5

    It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

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  • Deuteronomy 14:26

    Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household.

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  • Isaiah 5:11

    Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine.

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  • Ecclesiastes 10:6–7

    Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.

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  • Jeremiah 30:21

    Their leader will be one of their own, and their ruler will arise from their midst. And I will bring him near, and he will approach Me, for who would dare on his own to approach Me?” declares the LORD.

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  • Proverbs 28:2–3

    A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

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