Ecclesiastes 10:6
4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
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
- Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
- KJV
- Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
- WEB
- Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
- ASV
- folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
- DARBY
- folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
- BLB
- He has set a fool in many high places, and the rich ones sit in the lowly place.
- ÅB
- Dårskapen sitter i høye stillinger, mens fornemme folk må sitte lavt.
- OTB
- Dårskap er plassert i mange høye posisjoner, mens de rike sitter på ydmyke steder.
- B1930
- Dårskapen sitter i høie stillinger, mens fornemme folk må sitte lavt.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 28:12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
Read in contextProverbs 29:2
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Read in contextEsther 3:1
After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.
Read in contextPsalms 12:8
The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.
Read in context1 Kings 12:13–14
And the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the elders
Read in contextProverbs 28:28
When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
Read in contextJudges 9:14–20
Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’
Read in contextJames 2:3–5
If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”
Read in context