Ecclesiastes 10:5

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

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

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Eccl 3:16 : 16 The Problem of Injustice and Oppression I saw something else on earth: In the place of justice, there was wickedness, and in the place of fairness, there was wickedness.
  • Eccl 4:1 : 1 Evil Oppression on Earth So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.
  • Eccl 4:7 : 7 Labor Motivated by Greed So I again considered another futile thing on earth:
  • Eccl 5:13 : 13 Materialism Thwarts Enjoyment of Life Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.
  • Eccl 6:1 : 1 Not Everyone Enjoys Life Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people:
  • Eccl 9:3 : 3 This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives– then they die.

Similar Verses (AI)

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

  • Eccl 6:1
    80%

    1Not Everyone Enjoys Life Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people:

  • Eccl 10:4
    79%

    4If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.

  • Eccl 10:6-7
    2 verses
    79%

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

    7I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.

  • Eccl 5:13
    77%

    13Materialism Thwarts Enjoyment of Life Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.

  • Eccl 8:9-11
    3 verses
    76%

    9While applying my mind to everything that happens in this world, I have seen all this: Sometimes one person dominates other people to their harm.

    10Contradictions to the Law of Retribution Not only that, but I have seen the wicked approaching and entering the temple, and as they left the holy temple, they boasted in the city that they had done so. This also is an enigma.

    11When a sentence is not executed at once against a crime, the human heart is encouraged to do evil.

  • Eccl 3:16
    75%

    16The Problem of Injustice and Oppression I saw something else on earth: In the place of justice, there was wickedness, and in the place of fairness, there was wickedness.

  • Eccl 5:8-9
    2 verses
    74%

    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!

    9The produce of the land is seized by all of them, even the king is served by the fields.

  • Prov 28:15-16
    2 verses
    73%

    15Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

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

  • Prov 19:10
    73%

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

  • Prov 29:12
    72%

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

  • Eccl 8:3-5
    3 verses
    72%

    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.

  • Eccl 9:13
    72%

    13Most People Are Not Receptive to Wise Counsel This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me:

  • Prov 20:2
    72%

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

  • Eccl 9:3
    72%

    3This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives– then they die.

  • Job 5:3
    71%

    3I myself have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his place of residence.

  • Eccl 4:1
    71%

    1Evil Oppression on Earth So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.

  • Eccl 2:12-13
    2 verses
    71%

    12Wisdom is Better than Folly Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king’s successor do than what the king has already done?

    13I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:

  • Prov 29:1-2
    2 verses
    70%

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

    2When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

  • Eccl 8:14
    70%

    14Here is another enigma that occurs on earth: Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve, and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve. I said,“This also is an enigma.”

  • Eccl 10:16
    70%

    16The Problem with Foolish Rulers Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, and your princes feast in the morning!

  • Lev 4:22
    70%

    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 28:2
    70%

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

  • Nah 1:11
    70%

    11From you, O Nineveh, one has marched forth who plots evil against the LORD, a wicked military strategist.

  • Mic 7:3
    70%

    3They are experts at doing evil; government officials and judges take bribes, prominent men announce what they wish and then they plan it out.

  • Eccl 1:14-15
    2 verses
    70%

    14I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile– like chasing the wind!

    15What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is missing cannot be supplied.

  • Prov 16:10
    70%

    10The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.

  • Prov 28:10
    70%

    10The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

  • Isa 31:2
    70%

    2Yet he too is wise and he will bring disaster; he does not retract his decree. He will attack the wicked nation, and the nation that helps those who commit sin.

  • Eccl 4:15
    70%

    15I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place.

  • Jer 5:30
    70%

    30“Something horrible and shocking is going on in the land of Judah:

  • Eccl 7:15
    70%

    15Exceptions to the Law of Retribution During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds.

  • Eccl 2:21
    70%

    21For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice!

  • Prov 25:5
    70%

    5remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

  • Eccl 7:7
    69%

    7Human Wisdom Overturned by Adversity Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool; likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart.

  • Prov 16:12
    69%

    12Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness.

  • Prov 16:14
    69%

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

  • Prov 19:3
    69%

    3A person’s folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against the LORD.

  • Eccl 1:5
    69%

    5The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries away to a place from which it rises again.

  • Prov 25:7
    69%

    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.

  • Hos 5:10
    69%

    10The Oppressors of the Helpless Will Be Oppressed The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers. I will pour out my rage on them like a torrential flood!