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Ecclesiastes 10:17

Self-controlAuthority and leadership

15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

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!

18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

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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; nor for princes strong drink:

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  • Deuteronomy 14:26

    And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

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  • Isaiah 5:11

    Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

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  • Ecclesiastes 10:6–7

    Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

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  • Jeremiah 30:21

    And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.

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  • Proverbs 28:2–3

    For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

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