Ecclesiastes 10:4

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 25:15 : 15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.
  • Eccl 8:3 : 3 Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste– do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he can do whatever he pleases.
  • 1 Sam 25:24-44 : 24 Falling at his feet, she said,“My lord, I accept all the guilt! But please let your female servant speak to you! Please listen to the words of your servant! 25 My lord should not pay attention to this wicked man Nabal. He simply lives up to his name! His name means‘fool,’ and he is indeed foolish! But I, your servant, did not see the servants my lord sent. 26 “Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and as surely as you live, it is the LORD who has kept you from shedding blood and taking matters into your own hands. Now may your enemies and those who seek to harm my lord be like Nabal. 27 Now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the servants who follow my lord. 28 Please forgive the sin of your servant, for the LORD will certainly establish a lasting dynasty for my lord, because my lord fights the battles of the LORD. May no evil be found in you all your days! 29 When someone sets out to chase you and to take your life, the life of my lord will be wrapped securely in the bag of the living by the LORD your God. But he will sling away the lives of your enemies from the sling’s pocket! 30 The LORD will do for my lord everything that he promised you, and he will make you a leader over Israel. 31 Your conscience will not be overwhelmed with guilt for having poured out innocent blood and for having taken matters into your own hands. When the LORD has granted my lord success, please remember your servant.” 32 Then David said to Abigail,“Praised be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you this day to meet me! 33 Praised be your good judgment! May you yourself be rewarded for having prevented me this day from shedding blood and taking matters into my own hands! 34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives– he who has prevented me from harming you– if you had not come so quickly to meet me, by morning’s light not even one male belonging to Nabal would have remained alive!” 35 Then David took from her hand what she had brought to him. He said to her,“Go back to your home in peace. Be assured that I have listened to you and responded favorably.” 36 When Abigail went back to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his house like that of the king. Nabal was having a good time and was very intoxicated. She told him absolutely nothing until morning’s light. 37 In the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these matters. He had a stroke and was paralyzed. 38 After about ten days the LORD struck Nabal down and he died. 39 When David heard that Nabal had died, he said,“Praised be the LORD who has vindicated me and avenged the insult that I suffered from Nabal! The LORD has kept his servant from doing evil, and he has repaid Nabal for his evil deeds.” Then David sent word to Abigail and asked her to become his wife. 40 So the servants of David went to Abigail at Carmel and said to her,“David has sent us to you to bring you back to be his wife.” 41 She arose, bowed her face toward the ground, and said,“Your female servant, like a lowly servant, will wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” 42 Then Abigail quickly went and mounted her donkey, with five of her female servants accompanying her. She followed David’s messengers and became his wife. 43 David had also married Ahinoam from Jezreel; the two of them became his wives. 44 (Now Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim.)

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 10:5-6
    2 verses
    79%

    5I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

    6Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.

  • Prov 14:29
    75%

    29Someone with great understanding is slow to anger, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.

  • Prov 15:1
    73%

    1A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

  • Prov 19:10-11
    2 verses
    73%

    10Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes!

    11A person’s wisdom has made him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

  • Eccl 7:9
    73%

    9Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

  • Prov 16:32
    72%

    32Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.

  • Prov 16:14
    72%

    14A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

  • Prov 20:2-3
    2 verses
    72%

    2The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.

    3It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.

  • Prov 25:6-8
    3 verses
    72%

    6Do not honor yourself before the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;

    7for it is better for him to say to you,“Come up here,” than to put you lower before a prince, whom your eyes have seen.

    8Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame?

  • Eccl 8:2-5
    4 verses
    71%

    2Obey the king’s command, because you took an oath before God to be loyal to him.

    3Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste– do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he can do whatever he pleases.

    4Surely the king’s authority is absolute; no one can say to him,“What are you doing?”

    5Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise person knows the proper time and procedure.

  • Prov 25:15
    71%

    15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.

  • Prov 29:9
    71%

    9When a wise person goes to court with a foolish person, there is no peace whether he is angry or laughs.

  • Prov 29:11-12
    2 verses
    70%

    11A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back.

    12If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked.

  • Ps 37:8
    70%

    8Do not be angry and frustrated! Do not fret! That only leads to trouble!

  • Prov 26:4
    70%

    4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.

  • Prov 17:27
    69%

    27The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.

  • Prov 14:16-17
    2 verses
    69%

    16A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident.

    17A person who has a quick temper will do foolish things, and a person with crafty schemes will be hated.

  • Prov 29:22
    69%

    22An angry person stirs up dissension, and a wrathful person is abounding in transgression.

  • Eccl 9:17
    69%

    17Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools.

  • Job 36:18
    69%

    18Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

  • Prov 22:10
    69%

    10Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease.

  • Prov 28:2
    69%

    2When a country is rebellious it has many princes, but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained.

  • Prov 24:10
    69%

    10You have slacked off in the day of trouble– your strength is small!

  • Eccl 10:3
    69%

    3Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.

  • Prov 3:30
    69%

    30Do not accuse anyone without legitimate cause, if he has not treated you wrongly.

  • Prov 30:32
    69%

    32If you have done foolishly by exalting yourself or if you have planned evil, put your hand over your mouth!

  • Prov 28:16
    68%

    16The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

  • Prov 15:18
    68%

    18A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.

  • Prov 24:18
    68%

    18lest the LORD see it, and be displeased, and turn his wrath away from him.

  • Hos 4:4
    68%

    4The Lord’s Dispute against the Sinful Priesthood Do not let anyone accuse or contend against anyone else: for my case is against you priests!

  • Eccl 5:8
    68%

    8Government Corruption If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!

  • Prov 29:1
    68%

    1The one who stiffens his neck after numerous rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.

  • Prov 25:28
    68%

    28Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.

  • Job 13:5
    68%

    5If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom.

  • Prov 19:19
    68%

    19A person with great anger bears the penalty, but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again.

  • 1 Sam 20:7
    68%

    7If he should then say,‘That’s fine,’ then your servant is safe. But if he becomes very angry, be assured that he has decided to harm me.

  • Lev 4:22
    68%

    22For the Leader“‘Whenever a leader, by straying unintentionally, sins and violates one of the commandments of the LORD his God which must not be violated, and he pleads guilty,

  • Prov 17:14
    68%

    14Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; abandon strife before it breaks out!

  • Prov 29:19
    67%

    19A servant cannot be corrected by words, for although he understands, there is no answer.

  • Prov 21:14
    67%

    14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.