Ecclesiastes 7:21

19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from 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

    Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 29:21

    That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 16:10

    And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 19:19

    And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 13:5–7

    Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

    Read in context