Ecclesiastes 7:21

19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.

20 Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.

22 For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

23 All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.
KJV
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
WEB
Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;
ASV
Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;
DARBY
Also give not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.
BLB
Also, for all words that they might speak, do not give your heart, that you may not hear your servant belittling you.
ÅB
Akt heller ikke på alt det folk sier, ellers kunne du få høre din tjener banne deg!
OTB
Lytt ikke nøye til hvert ord folk sier, ellers kan du høre din tjener tale ille om deg—
B1930
Akt heller ikke på alt det folk sier, ellers kunde du få høre din tjener banne dig!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Proverbs 30:10

    Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 29:21

    those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 16:10

    But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 19:19

    and said, “My lord, do not hold me guilty, and do not remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 13:5–7

    It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.

    Read in context